Dell G3 Laptop power draining issue while plugged in

Question

When I use my laptop to play games or do heavy work that uses its GPU to full load, the battery drains, despite the fact that it is plugged in. Therefore, about 3-4 hours in the battery drops significantly (i.e. 4%).

Is this normal? My specs are i7 8750H and 1050ti and i was provided with a 130W adapter, instead of the 180W they offer to higher-end specs. I feel like the CPU is very power hungry and needs way more power than the adapter can provide, that's why the battery is slowly draining under full load even when it is plugged in.

Is this a design flaw? Should I ask Dell for the 180W adapter?

S1lentSymph0ny · Answer

I can't confirm but my guess would be that the G3 uses Hybrid Power like the Inspiron 7577

Hybrid Power

The Hybrid Power feature enables the system to function optimally during instances of heavy loading, such as graphics and processor-intensive gaming. It does so by coordinating the power input from the power adapter and the battery. This feature is enabled as long as the battery capacity is above 10%.
When the Hybrid Power feature is enabled, these events may occur:

    Battery charge does not increase when connected to the power adapter.
    Battery charges slowly when connected to the power adapter.
    Battery charge depletes when connected to the power adapter.

When the battery charge depletes below 10%, Hybrid Power is disabled, and this may lead to a drop in system performance. Battery charging resumes immediately when the computer is no longer under heavy loading.

EDIT: Here's a link to the page for the G5 (assuming Dell forgot to specify this feature in the G3 but only Dell can confirm) http://www.dell.com/support/manuals/us/en/04/g-series-15-5587-laptop/g5-5587-setupandspecs/hybrid-power?guid=guid-ae2856f3-d9e0-46cd-a9ae-9db31e3d09bd&lang=en-us

NickVisum · Answer

Same problem on the 3779 with i5 3800h and 1050ti. This is unacceptable. After only 2 min. the laptop starts to drain battery and the charger can't keep up and the CPU and GPU get throttled despite the temps of only 60*c

Dell-SreejithR · Answer

Thank you for your message. How long have you been having this issue?

What is the status of the AC adapter & battery in BIOS?

Does this happen irrespective of the application used or only when using graphics intensive applications?

What is the BIOS version installed?

For my reference, please click on the message tab next to your avatar– click “New Message” & search for my Dell username (Sreejith R) & send a private message with the service tag, registered name & email address.

How to locate the service tag

A.Hdan · Answer

Did you get a solution?!

BP84 · Answer

my G7 came with a 180W power supply and it drains fast while on adapter, dell is again taking it in for repairs... Time to get this lemon-ed out

Inspiron

Dell G3 Laptop power draining issue while plugged in

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