As suggested by https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Microcode I installed micro code updates package and it helps reducing the eye strain. I could feel that on both of my Lenovo laptops (i7-5500U and i5-7200U), running Arch Linux with KDE Plasma.
Prior to installing the package I used to get [Firmware Bug]: TSC_DEADLINE disabled due to Errata; please update microcode to version ... in dmesg output.
Thought it might be useful for some one.
Installing microcode updates on Arch Linux helps reducing strain
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KM, Right. I tried all the major ones: KDE Plasma, Gnome, Xfce, Mate, Cinnamon, several times over a period of time, but always came back to Plasma. My personal preference with respect to eye strain is: KDE > Cinnamon > Mate > Xfce > Gnome. I think Plasma's compositor is superior to the others. Cannot prove with numbers, though. In addition, I started liking the noto fonts which is the default font used by Plasma: they are crisp and sharp. Of course, I do a lot of Plasma configuration such as disabling baloo (file indexing), reducing the virtual desktops to one.
Interesting... I have an Asus Maximus VII Hero board that I know has a microcode BIOS update that I haven't installed. Mainly because I overclocked my PC 5 or so years ago, and you're generally not supposed to update the BIOS if your system is stable.
I do remember seeing some sort of microcode message like that when I've looked at the logs. I've been busy with work lately, so I haven't had a chance to hop on Linux in awhile. I'll have to give a BIOS update a shot when I have some free time.
ravipra Which driver do you use for integrated gpu? modesetting or intel?
murateroglu, its modesetting driver.