---
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.)

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**

Libre-/Coreboot 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, using systemd) 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:

	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](https://wiki.cachyos.org/configuration/dual_gpu).


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

Libreboot supports 4-core cpus (with B0 stepping) out of box without any mods needed, list (8th & 9th gen. desktop processors support ecc memories);

- LGA 1151; Intel 8th gen. [Core with B0 stepping; i3, Pentium Gold and Celeron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_Lake#List_of_8th_generation_Coffee_Lake_processors)
- LGA 1151; 9th gen. [Core with B0 stepping; i3, Pentium Gold, Celeron](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_Lake#List_of_9th_generation_Coffee_Lake_processors_(Coffee_Lake_Refresh))

But for those, interested in using 6+ core models (with U0/P0 steppings), connect the 2 pins marked on the processor in the [picture](https://hackaday.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/coffeetime_detail.png) (using a pencil usually enough, but a conductive slim tape is better).

No need to isolate or cover anything, as we are using the libreboot firmware not vendor.

[Reference](https://hackaday.com/2024/05/31/intels-anti-upgrade-tricks-defeated-with-kapton-tape/)


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

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

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 |

A guide might be here soon with pictures.

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


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

Fit a bigger GPU that exceeds the stock 10-inch length limit by removing the plastic 3.5" drive cage.

[Video walktrough](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"