Freezing Video and Stuttering Audio on a Nvidia Optimus ThinkPad? Here is a possible solution.

I apologize my analysis of this problem was incorrect. I have started a new thread to troubleshoot it. MODS please delete this thread. Thanks.

I have a Lenovo ThinkPad T410s with Nvidia NVS 3100m and over the past few months I had issues with the video freezing and audio stuttering. The issue usually occured when I had a video game running, but also happened at times with HD video or other intense processes. I have seem to found a solution to the issue.

First let me state what it seems the actual problem is. As some people are aware the Nvidia chip flows its information through the Intel chip due to the way the chips were designed. In addition the new Core i series has a feature known as Turbo bost which pushes the CPU clock up when a more demanding task is running. It appears that when the CPU engages turbo boost due to an intense task and the Nvidia chip begins working on an intense task the CPU crashes. I have monitored the clock frequency and it does apear the CPU crashes under these circumstances.

The solution seems to be as simple as to disable Intel Turbo boost technology. This is how to do that:

1) First make sure you have the latest GPU drivers from your manufacturer.

2) Next you will have to change the maximum and minimum CPU state to 99 in power options. This will insure that the CPU will work up to it's maximum potential without starting turbo boost at any time.

a) Open Power options
b) Select "Change plan settings" for the currently selected power setting.
c) Select "Change advanced power settings"
d) In the list click the "+" next to Processor power managment than click the "+" next to Maximum processor state.
f) Leave all percentages as they are except anything at 100% change to 99%.
g) Repeat steps D and F for Minimum processor state.
h) Click "Apply" than "OK" and close any remaining windows.

After all is done try running a game or what ever it is that usually crashes your machine.

Please post back after trying the solution to let me know whether it works.

It fixes the problem on my machine and I would like to see if the solution works on other machines.

(Solution orginally posted on Nvidia Forums by me)

 

What do you mean by "CPU crashes"?

 

I apologize I am not a hardware expert by any means... The CPU "halts/stalls/fails"... I'm not sure what the correct term would be.

There is an obvious moment where the CPU simply stops functioning at the correct frequency.

 

I am not a hardware expert either. To my knowledge, there is no correct frequency when you have a CPU with turbo boost. If that nVidia GPU *assumes* a constant frequency then the problem is clearly with the GPU.

Based on the recent history of nVidia hardware, I'd recommend trying to cool your system down a bit. Their GPU were known for being glitchy when temperature gets high. Disabling turbo boost is one way to do it. You can try other ways of cooling down your laptop (like a cooling mat) to see if it works.

 

The problem is putting too much strain on the CPU when high GPU processing is fed simultaneously at the same time. It's not a problem with system cooling. There is no need to ID the issue at this time. The issue has been identified. Thank you though.

 

What operating system is this occurring with? Regarding the HD video, have a link to the source file?

 

What are the temperatures like, anyway?

 

Windows 7 x64. It's not a specific file as stated above it is a hardware issue.

During game in the 60s. (C)

 

That's weird. I've managed to stress test an NVS 3100M into CPU 80C and GPU 68C on a T510. Those things should have better cooling too...

 

That's my CPU temp and I'm on a dock that lifts the laptop and has room for airflow.

 

Was this with or without turbo boost disabled?

The T510 I was messing with had it enabled and was still doing 2.80GHz from 2.53GHz at 80C.

 

Still enabled running at 2.9Ghz it never went above 70C.

 

I apologize my analysis of this problem was incorrect. I have started a new thread to troubleshoot it. MODS please delete this thread. Thanks.