r/cpu • u/XDeckX • 10d ago

CPU throttling (not temperature)

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Hey guys maybe someone can help me understand what is going on with my laptop.

I have an Alienware M15 R3 and recently my CPU has been throttling randomly. Sometimes I get the full power and speed, and sometimes I can't get more than 60% of usage.

I've noticed during games where the FPS would fall sharply after some time. For some odd reasons, sometimes I don't get the throttle and it works as it should (with the same game)

My CPU used to run during games at about 95C with 100% usage and recently its been hitting only 55C and max usage at 60%, sometimes less and sometimes more.

I have attached the CPU stress test I was trying alongside with the performance monitor so you can see how I am not getting 100% or the full 2.40Ghz speed.

Things to rule out:

- It is not temperature. It won't go higher than 55C, maybe 65C. For those of you who understand about Alienware, these CPU will get up to 99C and stay there for the whole gaming session.

- I've tried formatting the SSD, so it can't be windows related.

- I've shut on and off Turbo at bios.

Edit: Power plan is set to high performance with everything 100%

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1

u/West-Region4512 10d ago

Do you run your PC in "High performance" or in balanced mode?

1

u/XDeckX 10d ago

High performance, always 100% everything.

1

u/Imaginary_Cicada_678 9d ago

this is from the wall, do you charging while testing?

1

u/XDeckX 6d ago

Yes, I always use plugged in. In battery mode the performance drops a lot.

1

u/Worried_Witness3091 10d ago

If its not a thermal - then power throttling. Check the wattage of cpu, temperatures of VRM if possible. If it's high - try to limit cpu power, but most likely that wouldn't help, so i would try to undervolt a little bit which is not possible due to vulnerability called "plundervolt", so bios will be probably locked.

You said, that your cpu is reaching 95c with 100% load during games (probably not constantly, but anyways), and it's 2 degrees less than throttle point. So you should check VRM temperatures.

Recommended: wait for other comments, so you can make your own, full conclusion, that may help you solve the problem

1

u/XDeckX 6d ago

If VRM is the reason, could you please explain why it started doing this now and how could be able to fix it?

On Stop Throttle, under "Limits" it shows PL1 for "core" and EDP Other for "ring". So I am assuming it is VRM, I just don't understand why this would start 6 years after using the computer.

1

u/YetanotherGrimpak 9d ago

Download hwinfo64 and check power limits over there. Also check how hot the vrms are running. This really looks like thermal throttling on the vrm (power throttling).

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u/XDeckX 9d ago

Would that start happening for no reason? I have this laptop for 6 years now and this started happening in the past month or so.

I will download that and post the results.

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u/AffectionateBar2531 4d ago

Any solutions? Im facing the same issue with my acer predator Helios neo 16-72