GPU Power Consumption from tegrastats Utility

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing confusion regarding the interpretation of power consumption data from the tegrastats utility on the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The specific symptoms include uncertainty about how to accurately estimate the instantaneous power consumption of the GPU using the output values provided by tegrastats.

The issue arises when users attempt to utilize the reported value of VDD_CPU_GPU_CV, which indicates power consumption in milliwatts (mW). The context for this problem typically occurs during system monitoring, particularly when users are trying to optimize performance or manage power usage.

The relevant hardware specification includes the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board, and the software context involves using the tegrastats utility. The frequency of this issue appears to be moderate, as it is not universally experienced but is significant enough to prompt forum discussions. The impact on user experience can be substantial, as misinterpretation of power consumption data may lead to inefficient system performance or improper resource allocation.

Possible Causes

• Misinterpretation of Data: Users may not fully understand how to interpret the values output by tegrastats, leading to incorrect conclusions about GPU power consumption.

• Lack of Documentation: Insufficient guidance in official documentation regarding power metrics can contribute to confusion.

• Software Bugs or Conflicts: Potential bugs in the tegrastats utility could lead to inaccurate readings or misunderstandings about how to use the data effectively.

• User Errors: Users may incorrectly assume that additional calculations are necessary without understanding how VDD_CPU_GPU_CV is derived.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Output Values:

   • Run the command:

     sudo tegrastats
     

   • Review the output for VDD_CPU_GPU_CV, which indicates GPU power consumption.

2. Understand Power Metrics:

   • Recognize that VDD_CPU_GPU_CV 1307mW/1307mW represents the current power usage of the GPU and CPU combined. There is no need to add or subtract additional values unless specified by further documentation.

3. Consult Documentation:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s Jetson Orin NX and Nano Series documentation for detailed explanations of each metric reported by tegrastats. This can provide clarity on how each value relates to system performance.

4. Testing and Isolation:

   • If discrepancies in power readings are suspected, test with different workloads or applications to see if power consumption varies as expected.
   • Consider isolating components (if applicable) to determine if specific hardware configurations affect readings.

5. Community Feedback:

   • Engage with community forums for shared experiences. Users have confirmed that relying on VDD_CPU_GPU_CV alone is generally sufficient for estimating GPU power without needing further calculations.

6. Best Practices:

   • Regularly check for updates or patches for the tegrastats utility that may address known issues or improve functionality.
   • Keep documentation handy for reference when monitoring system performance.

7. Unresolved Aspects:

   • While some users have successfully used VDD_CPU_GPU_CV as a reliable metric, further investigation may be needed into specific use cases where additional factors might influence power consumption readings.

By following these steps, users can more effectively utilize the tegrastats utility and gain accurate insights into GPU power consumption on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.