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title: Collection of appliable Mods & Tweaks (included, but not limited to libreboot).
x-toc-enable: true
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## Disclaimer

Any changes to the hardware or software listed here are usually tested (by atleast one user) and reproducible **at your own reponsibility**.

Some **physical modifications might be *UNREVERSIBLE*, only replacable**, keep in mind.

In case if you need any help or get another idea to include here, submit a patch on codeberg or get in contact on irc.


### [Reversible] PCIe Rebar

The EDK2-based images work with modern graphics cards, which often lack VGA
ROMs these days; EDK2 does GOP ROM execution.

We do not enable PCI-E relocatable BAR by default, because it caused stability
issues when libgfxinit is used on Intel integrated graphics.

To enable it, do:

```
./mk -m coreboot TARGET
```

Enable: Devices -> Extend resource window for PCIe devices above 4G

Enable: Devices -> Support PCIe Resizable BARs

Set that last one to the number of bits corresponding to your video RAM.
Two to the power of thirty-two is 4GB; thirty-three becomes 8GB. Work it out
accordingly. E.g. 16GB would be 33 bits. 39 bits is generally the maximum limit
though some machines might not be stable past 36-bit.

Where only graphics cards are supported, we would enable this by default. On
systems with integrated graphics, we turn it off by default.


### [Reversible] Dual-GPU setup (Do not use it on processors/motherboards without integrated graphics.)

**This documentation pertains to *desktops*, not laptops. Libreboot only makes
use of integrated onboard graphics at present, for laptops.**

Do not follow this section on *non-desktop* computers.

Usually used for efficient power management, but can be used to focus/accelerate task/applications too on the more powerful and usually free unit.

(Using a graphics card with 2 gpu-s on it? Feel free to skip the I. part)

**I. Part, Libreboot Firmware**

On *desktop* computers, Libreboot by default disables the integrated graphics on the processors if a dedicated graphics card is present.

It needs to be force enabled in the device's menuconfig:

	./mk -m coreboot *device_name_in_lbmk*

Select ***Devices*** -> set ***Use onboard VGA as primary video device***. Exit and build the rom image with -b instead of -m.

Flash the tweaked firmware and boot. Keep/connect the screen's cable to the motherboard instead of the dedicated gpu (weird artifacts appears).

**II. Part, OS**

Boot into a linux distro (works with almost every distro) and install the switcheroo-control software;

Debian based:

	sudo apt install switcheroo-control -y

Arch based:

	sudo pacman -S install switcheroo-control

Fedora based:

	sudo dnf install switcheroo-control -y

After installation, enable the belonging service (NOTE: systemd, adapt
accordingly if you use something else):

	sudo systemctl enable --now switcheroo-control

Done. Defaults less resources-needy ones (desktop environment, browser, ...) to the integrated/1st gpu, and more needies (video/3D editors, games, ...) to the dedicated/2nd unit.

Usually with a right mouse click on the application reveals the selectable gpu-s to choose from manually. (Confirmed on Gnome,Cosmic. probably on other DE-s too.).

Reference and more details for this part, [Here](https://wiki.cachyos.org/configuration/dual_gpu).

### [?] Intel 8th/9th gen. processors support on older 6th/7th gen. motherboards

### [Reversible] Upgradabale (socketed) GPUs in (older) laptops

Before replacing (or even ordering) one, check if it compatible with your eDP/LVDS panel;

X11:

	xrandr

Wayland:

	wlr-randr

For "LVDS-1 connected", AMD's 1st gen GCN cards are the newest and most powerful to support LVDS,
According to [this forum thread](https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/2011-imac-graphics-card-upgrade.1596614/),

If you have an eDP panel, you should be able to use newer cards than that.

As long as the card has an onboard VBIOS, Libreboot will execute it and
everything *should* work. **However, this is currently untested.**

### Dell 7010/9010/T1650, 7020/9020/XE2/T1700 (probably other dell ones too.)

**[Reversible] Power On Mod for normal towers**

Just in case any of these motherboards would be used in a different case with a 2 pin power(on) connector, connect it to the 1 (yellow/red) & 2 (Black/black) pins. (Black to black, red to yellow)

For LEDs, 3 (-/black) & 5 (+/red) (the black frame might needs to be pull carefully to reinsert it)

|    Pin layout   |
|  1  |  3  |  5  |
|  2  |  4  | N/A |

Reference [here](https://pinoutguide.com/Motherboard/Dell_Optiplex_360_790_701_pinout.shtml)

**[Partially Reversible] Chassis Mod (MT only) for bigger Cards** (GPUs, Accelerators, ...)

Remove the plastic 3.5" drive cage to fit bigger GPUs that exceed the stock 10-inch length limit.

Video walktrough [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_M2GGunaYM). (just found, not my)

A guide might be here soon with pictures.


[//]: # "SPDX-License-Identifier: GFDL-1.3-or-later"