Bug 81731

Summary:	r8169 ethernet driver: enormous power consumption
Product:	Drivers	Reporter:	Jon Nelson (jnelson-kernel-bugzilla)
Component:	Network	Assignee:	drivers_network (drivers_network)
Status:	NEW ---
Severity:	normal	CC:	romieu, szg00000
Priority:	P1
Hardware:	All
OS:	Linux
Kernel Version:	3.16.0-rc7-2-desktop	Subsystem:
Regression:	No	Bisected commit-id:

Description Jon Nelson 2014-08-06 03:06:11 UTC

I am running openSUSE 13.2 "Factory" (not-yet released) on a laptop with the Realtek r8169 (wired) ethernet, however even when unplugged powertop reports that it consumes a staggering 7-10 *Watts*.

This kills the battery life.

Comment 1 Jon Nelson 2014-08-10 16:10:48 UTC

More testing - the power consumption does not appear to always be that bad.
Using kernel 3.16.0-rc7-2-desktop (same as before) and having rebooted (but not yet used the r8169), it's using 800-2000mW.

As soon as I'm plugged in, it jumps to 5500-7000mW.

I can't speak to what might have changed (not the kernel or drivers), but even so - that's a fair bit of power.

Comment 2 Francois Romieu 2015-01-16 22:35:14 UTC

(In reply to Jon Nelson from comment #1)
[...]
> As soon as I'm plugged in, it jumps to 5500-7000mW.

Is runtime power suspend enabled for this device ?

> I can't speak to what might have changed (not the kernel or drivers), but
> even so - that's a fair bit of power.

Driver changes alone could explain a lot - good or bad :o/

Which r8169 device revision (see dmesg) are you using ?

-- 
Ueimor