Linux users of Lenovo’s Legion gaming handhelds and laptops will soon benefit from a significant update that enhances the management of power profiles in their systems. Developer Derek J. Clark has submitted a patch series to the Linux kernel introducing explicit support for an "Extreme" performance mode within the lenovo-wmi-gamezone driver. This patch also improves the detection mechanisms for compatible systems.
Historically, some Lenovo Legion models indicated support for an "Extreme" thermal mode via firmware, but this feature was often misimplemented. While it is meant to maximize CPU and GPU power limitations proportional to the cooling system’s capacity, some devices exceeded what their batteries could manage, and others had the feature inadequately implemented. The previous kernel versions aimed to mitigate these problems through a deny-list of affected devices, but Clark’s patches introduce a more robust allow-list, ensuring that no devices will exhibit the "Extreme" mode unless verified to function correctly. Consequently, none of the Legion Go models will have this mode available in the software until they undergo proper testing.
This update resolves an inconsistency regarding power profiles on Linux systems. Due to misreported firmware profiles, users found discrepancies where "Performance" in the settings could inadvertently enable a "Balanced-Performance" state or even the partially implemented "Extreme" mode, resulting in mismatching LED indicators. Windows users encounter similar issues with Lenovo’s Legion Space app, which does not offer an "Extreme" mode unless a "Custom" profile is utilized to set CPU and GPU limits manually. Essentially, Clark’s work aligns Linux with Lenovo’s application strategy, recognizing the "Extreme" mode’s existence but ensuring it is safely applicable.
This adjustment should yield more consistent power performance across different Lenovo Legion devices. Users have previously experienced peculiar battery behaviors, which may have been linked to the underlying firmware bugs. With the implementation of Clark’s patches, Linux users can expect improved performance management as Lenovo continues to evolve its Legion portfolio.
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