Can you disable cpu throttling?

Question

I have a G3 3779 with an i7 8750h and GTX 1060 6GB.

When I play games the cpu throttles down from 4.1ghz all the way down to 900mhz. This tremendously kills performance in gaming. I know throttling occurs to prevent the system from melting down. Fine. But most computers are fine with an operating temperature up to 90C.

Here's the thing, my laptop throttles down to 1400mhz when it's only 70C. It can sometimes throttle it to 900mhz and the temperature is no higher than 75C.

I've tried many solutions. I disabled 2 out of the 6 cores. I turned off hyper threading. I've even used Throttlestop to lower the voltage, lower the clock ceiling and turn off throttling via Throttlestop. Still no luck. Laptop still down clocks to 900mhz dipping gaming framerates to the 20s. Very very frustrating.

I want to get a new laptop and I'm looking at the Dell G3. My concern is will Dell prevent me from enjoying a computer I paid for by throttling performance when the computer can actually perform better.

This is unacceptable. Dell I would like you to clarify this.

Tatolino · Answer

This is a quite tricky request, there's no direct solution to the problem you are experiencing, unfortunately there's no throttling option you can set on and off as you like.

That being said, if you are positive that temperatures are well below the limits, you can try disabling Speedstep (under performance settings, BIOS), that way your cpu should always clock at its max without trying to save battery or limit temperatures.

Then to prevent temperatures from raising too sharply, you could disable TurboBoost... just a thought.

Anyway, I would start from disabling Speedstep and see how it behaves.

CGWayne · Answer

Thanks. I tried all that and still no luck.

What I don't like is Dell doesn't allow me to manually turn up the fans on my laptop. The computer decides when the fans should turn on. I wish I can turn on the fans at full blast before the temps even gets too high. But it waits until it's very hot before the fans turn on.

I found no way to control this. Nothing from bios, control panel and dell utility. I tried the Alienware app that controls the fans but the software is locked out by Dell. I guess I have to buy a higher end model to manually control the fans.

Tatolino · Answer

What are the temperatures when you are playing games? Max and average values?

It's very possible that Dell has chosen to use a conservative TDP setting on your model. Using hwmonitor, what is the max value you see under Intel Core I7 8750H/Powers/Package? Leave hwmonitor running while you play a game and then check the number.

You can likely change your TDP to the standard less conservative value by using Throttlestop, but you absolutely have to make sure your cooling system can handle it, that temperatures always stay within safety range. You could even replace the thermal paste on your cooler, it's a fairly easy operation that would grant you much better performances if you know how to do it (and give you the chance to clean it for good), I have no idea of how a G3 is, but if it looks anything like an XPS I think it should be easy enough to disassemble. I have done it myself a few times on older Thinkpads, a high performance thermal paste can make a huge difference.

CGWayne · Answer

According to MSI Afterburner this past couple of days, my gpu never topped 68C and cpu never topped 65C. There have been instances when my cpu have hit 90C (not gaming) and never experienced any problems.

I also tried other settings in Throttlestop and came across one that makes me set the multiplier to a lower value so the cpu clock slows down a little and produce less heat. Well whaddya know... Dell's bios has locked out that option. No matter what I do the cpu will eventually throttle down to around 1ghz after a few minutes of gaming. Despite cpu temp in the 60s C. GPU temp is close to the same.

I repasted my cooler about 1 year ago. Not a single dust bunny inside. Fans ramp up. I guess I can try and repaste my cooler. But then again my laptop throttles when the temps get to the mid 60s. Even if I repaste and temps go down by 10C I have a feeling it will throttle as well. Temperature in the 60s is not so bad.

I've never experienced anything like this the first year I owned this laptop. In fact I've upgraded to bigger/faster ram, bigger faster m.2 nvme and tossed out the platter drive for an ssd. It should be using less power and data transfer rate faster as well. But for some odd reason after a couple of years with several Dell updates... it starts to slow down.

I guess I'm an unreasonable person to suggest Dell isn't making me buy a new laptop. LOL!

If I do, it won't be a Dell.

Tatolino · Answer

Yes I totally see what you mean, it's infuriating, especially when you see good low temps such as yours.

And no, I wouldn't repaste your cpu just yet, temperatures don't seem to require it.

If I were you, I would try asking the guys on Throttlestop's forum, you can post your request here, they will guide you through tests and benchmarks, trying to find the best settings for you.

If they can't fix it then literally nobody can! They reply very quickly, they're the best!!

XPS

Can you disable cpu throttling?

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