GPU Throttling..? I Think.

EDIT: Found out that it's CPU throttling, still don't know why.

So I recently order a Sony Vaio Flip 15 with 8 GB RAM, 256 ssd, i7 4500U (1.8 gz with 3.0 turbo) and Nvidia Geforce GT 735m.

Of course it doesn't have the best graphics card, but it should be more than capable of running MMOs.

However, while playing Runescape on max settings, the game gets huge fps drops. It would be running perfectly for like 20-30 minutes, then the fps would crash to 4 or 5, and I have to lower the graphics settings to make the game playable again. After a minute or so, putting it back to max settings works again, but fps drops come back after another 20-30 mins of gaming.

 

sounds like temperatures are getting too high so its protecting itself and downclocking.

what temps are you getting while gaming.

monitoring software in my sig below. try core temps and gpu-z

 

I can't download it right now, since I don't have my laptop on me, but I'll definitely download it when I get home. But from the looks of it I can't really notice any high temperatures while playing. The fan gets very loud but provides sufficient cooling, and I never really feel the laptop getting too hot.

 

some laptops stay cool on the outside like my clevo but ive reached mid to high 90c when stress testing it so outside touch wont always tell you a thing.

 

So I think I found out the problem. The GPU isn't throttling, it's the CPU. It would be running at about 2ghz, then kicks down to .58 while gaming, giving me a huge fps drop.

I tried playing other games as well and the same thing happens. Fps drops because of CPU throttling, even though it's only running at 2ghz. It has turbo boost up to 3 ghz, so I don't see why I'm getting this problem.

 

temps are too high or the psu cant handle full charge on cpu+gpu

 

I don't think it's the temps, since the cpu is supposed to be able to handle 3.0 ghz. If it's only playing at 2, why would temps get too high? Plus, like I said, the laptop itself never gets hot to the touch, just warm.

 

as we said, use HWMonitor and monitor your temps give us the max cpu temps
try to see if the power management settings are at 100% cpu max power

 

After trying to game on max settings with a Y480(650M), I can say that your PSU can't support the power for some reason. Happened for me, but then I got a 90W Targus charger, and now it's fine. Here is the link if you think you need it(Can always return it). Targus Group International APA31US - Best Buy

Just keep in mind that you are using an ultrabook, and that they can barely handle games to begin with.

 

Just downloaded it. Normal gameplay w/ stable fps had max temps at 71, 73, and 73. Without an increase in these max temps, I just got a huge fps drop. When the fps drops, though, the cpu cools way down to 50. Fps drop lasts a few seconds, and then the temps go back to normal.

 

hmm that's interesting. How can I be sure that its the psu though?

 

Sony usually gives weak 50-65W PSUs.
Even if it doesn't help, you can always return it, so at least try(no point being cheap).

 

So I kinda ran a test to check if it was the power supply. I set the battery on the same processor power settings as it would run when plugged in. Basically, both minimum and maximum processor states were set to 100% for the battery. I played some Saints Row IV and still got the fps drop. I'm not sure, but does this mean the problem isn't from the power supply? It was running on battery with the same settings that it would be while plugged in.

 

the battery always throttle the components anyway, even if you put 120% in CPu management, if it doesnt have juice it will cut the TDP down to stay in the margins

 

Alright. So is it normal for the CPU to throttle at 70 degrees or is it most likely the power supply?

Also, I just looked up my processor and on notebookcheck it says that the max temp is 100 degrees. Not sure if this means throttling temp is 100, but yeah.

 

most likely psu

 

I'm not so sure it's the psu anymore. I think the software on my laptop is downclocking the cpu after it hits around 72 degrees. This is like my 5th time testing it; the cpu is exactly at 72 or 73 degrees when I get the giant fps crashes. My processor would be running anywhere btwn 2.5-2.7 ghz, and once the max core temp reaches (and maintains) a temp of about 72 it downclocks to .58 ghz. Same thing happens, even the same exact number; .58 ghz.

The thing is the processor shouldn't be throttling at 72 degrees. I looked it up and the max temp of the i7 4500U is 100 degrees C.

 

Just checked again and it seems like both the GPU and CPU slow down at the same time. I'm not sure if the GPU slowing down is caused by the CPU slowing down but yeah..this is weird. I'm going to take the laptop to the Microsoft store tomorrow. If they can't help, then I guess I'll just return this laptop.

 

any news about fixing this?

i got the same problem in this laptop, i'm some how sure that it is driver related. i saw throttling in dota 2, FPS from 45 to 20 (and dont change even with lowering graphics)

GPU and Memory clock drop to 400 and 405 MHz in gaming (P8 state), sometimes even in 57 degrees (so now i'm sure it is not temperature related)
i tried a higher current adapter (6.3A) but throttling is still there so i guess it should not be PSU related.

i ran a furmark test, it didn't let the Graphics throttle and run about 1 hr for about 10fps with full clocks,

just try new driver from nvidia and test the nvidia inspector and see if you can set the clocks to be higher in different states.

 

Ich have the exact problem. Did you guys find something to fix it?

 

I've heard that on the Dell Inspiron 15 7537 that the i7-4500U downclocks too... Its not due to thermal issues but BIOS... It might be a similar issue here or maybe the PSU isn't big enough...

 

I have same issue, any of you guys got a solution for this?

 

bigger PSU or repaste for lower thermals

 

telling us what computer and its spec will help. also what temps you are getting.

make sure its on high performance, make sure its plugged into mains, clean vents and fans with compressed air every few months, repaste gpu/cpu.

failing that buy a new computer

dont expect any answers from the original poster as with only 10 posts they come here for help and then bugger off when theve got the answers that they need and dont explain for others what worked for them.

 

PSU is not the problem. The thermal limit is restricted in the bios, like in the mentioned DELL. Sony/Dell/Lenovo notebooks have this "issue" that the thermal limit is set lower than the cpu's tdp limit to prevent overheating and noise.

 

I'm just returning the laptop in a while, its 1 day old, so i don't think is dust or anything also been trying to make a workaround with Throttlestop but BIOS overrides it, theres a forum post on Sony's forum about this with no official answer.
The laptop its the same as the OP, Vaio flip 15, core i7 4500U, 8gb ram, GT 735, its really great BUT with this epic problem.

 

well if you need a new laptop ask the experts here first What Notebook Should I Buy? - A Laptop Buyers Guide

 

How about loading a modded bios or vbios?