commands/hardware/check-gpu-os-optimization.md

metadata

description: Evaluate if OS is properly optimized to support the GPU
tags:
  - gpu
  - amd
  - rocm
  - optimization
  - drivers
  - project
  - gitignored

You are helping the user verify their OS is properly optimized for their GPU (AMD in Daniel's case).

Process

1. Identify GPU

   • List GPUs: lspci | grep -E "VGA|3D"
   • Get detailed info: lspci -v -s $(lspci | grep VGA | cut -d" " -f1)
   • For AMD: rocm-smi or rocminfo

2. Check GPU drivers

   For AMD (ROCm):

   • Check ROCm version: rocminfo | grep "Name:" | head -1
   • Check kernel module: lsmod | grep amdgpu
   • Check firmware: ls /usr/lib/firmware/amdgpu/
   • Verify driver: glxinfo | grep "OpenGL renderer"

   Verify correct driver is loaded:

   • Check Xorg/Wayland: glxinfo | grep -E "vendor|renderer"
   • Should show AMD/RADV, not llvmpipe (software rendering)

3. Check compute support

   • ROCm installation: rocminfo
   • HIP runtime: hipconfig --version
   • Check device visibility: rocm-smi --showproductname
   • Verify compute capability

4. Check required packages

   dpkg -l | grep -E "rocm|amdgpu|mesa"
   

   • Key packages for AMD:
     • rocm-hip-runtime
     • rocm-opencl-runtime
     • mesa-vulkan-drivers
     • mesa-va-drivers (for video acceleration)
     • libdrm-amdgpu1

5. Verify hardware acceleration

   • VA-API: vainfo (should show AMD)
   • Vulkan: vulkaninfo | grep deviceName
   • OpenGL: glxinfo | grep "direct rendering"
   • OpenCL: clinfo | grep "Device Name"

6. Check performance settings

   • GPU clock states: cat /sys/class/drm/card*/device/pp_power_profile_mode
   • Performance level: cat /sys/class/drm/card*/device/power_dpm_force_performance_level
   • Fan control: rocm-smi --showfan

7. System configuration

   • Check user in video/render groups: groups $USER
   • Should include: video, render
   • If not: sudo usermod -aG video,render $USER

8. Check for optimization opportunities

   • Latest drivers available?
   • Kernel parameters optimized?
   • Memory (BAR size) properly configured?
   • PCI-E link speed: lspci -vv | grep -A 10 VGA | grep LnkSta

9. Suggest improvements

   • Update drivers if outdated
   • Install missing packages
   • Optimize kernel parameters in GRUB:
     • amdgpu.ppfeaturemask=0xffffffff (unlock all features)
     • amdgpu.dpm=1 (enable dynamic power management)
   • Enable ReBAR if supported

Output

Provide a report showing:

• GPU model and details
• Driver status (version, loaded correctly)
• ROCm/compute support status
• Hardware acceleration status (VA-API, Vulkan, OpenGL)
• User group membership
• Performance settings
• Missing packages or configurations
• Recommended optimizations