BD PRO, why?

[RetroRebel]

Getting my cpu throttled, even on idle. It's related to my graphics card I think, since I've already stress tested both CPU and GPU and when the CPU is tested on its own this throttling doesn't happen.
The weird thing is that it is not temperature related, also not related to Turbo mode being disabled. So I can't understand why it's getting throttled. (Also, I've never seen that red BD PRO message before)

Yesterday my coolers were due for a clean up, so I went and opened my laptop, unplugged the battery, and proceeded to remove the fans to properly clear them of dust. Once done I plugged my battery again and sadly missed the slot, so I had to pull it out again to try and plug it once more and thats when I heard some electrical crackling noise coming from the connector (not a good sign at all).

Any clues? While gaming I get sudden FPS drops, but while doing DAW work I'm alright, haven't noticed any changes.

 

[unclewebb]

red BD PRO message

Open up the Limit Reasons window. You should see BD PROCHOT glowing red there too when this type of throttling happens.

If you have a BD PROCHOT throttling problem, try clearing the BD PROCHOT box on the main screen. Without being the engineer that designed your laptop, it is impossible for me to say why this is happening. All I know is that clearing the BD PROCHOT box usually fixes this type of throttling.

BD PROCHOT stands for bi-directional processor hot. It allows other sensors to send a signal to the CPU which tells the CPU to go into full on throttling mode down to 798 MHz. It is usually a sign that a sensor somewhere has gone bad. It is a common problem. It does not have to be temperature related at all. A CPU that is idle like your screenshot shows should never be locked down by BD PROCHOT to 798 MHz.

Clearing the BD PROCHOT box tells the CPU to ignore any external throttling signals. This has proven to be a safe and long term solution for many users. The CPU will still be able to thermal throttle and slow down if it ever gets too hot whether BD PROCHOT is checked or not.

I prefer to set Speed Shift EPP on the main screen to 84. Setting this to 128 can interfere with maximum performance. You can click on the EPP value to edit it. Post some more pics of the TPL and FIVR windows if you want some more suggestions.

 

[RetroRebel]

Thanks so much for such a detailed reply! I cleared this box, I suppose I got it right.

I'd love some suggestions too, if you don't mind me plaguing this post with some pics. Thanks again!
PS: Did change EPP to 84 in the Balanced mode, I'll try it to check if I notice any changes

 

[RetroRebel]

Bumping this again cause all was fine when I cleared the limits box, but now the problem is back again. Still throttling on low usage or even idle.

Is there any log or something I could upload?

 

[unclewebb]

All your screenshots above show that BD PROCHOT is checked. If you have a BD PROCHOT throttling problem, you always have to run ThrottleStop and the BD PROCHOT always has to be clear, not checked. This is the only way to prevent BD PROCHOT throttling from happening. BD PROCHOT throttling can happen randomly if the BD PROCHOT box is left checked.

Is there any log or something I could upload?

Your screenshot above shows that the Log File box is checked. Your log files can usually be found in the ThrottleStop / Logs folder. Attach one to your next post if you want me to have a look. Make sure you log some new data with the BD PROCHOT box not checked. Update your version of ThrottleStop.

The Clear button in Limit Reasons that you put a red circle around only clears any records of previous throttling. It does not fix any problems.

Check the MMIO Lock box in the TPL window. This will prevent the secondary set of power limits from causing any throttling problems. The MMIO power limits are not necessary.

 

[RetroRebel]

All your screenshots above show that BD PROCHOT is checked. If you have a BD PROCHOT throttling problem, you always have to run ThrottleStop and the BD PROCHOT always has to be clear, not checked. This is the only way to prevent BD PROCHOT throttling from happening. BD PROCHOT throttling can happen randomly if the BD PROCHOT box is left checked.


Your screenshot above shows that the Log File box is checked. Your log files can usually be found in the ThrottleStop / Logs folder. Attach one to your next post if you want me to have a look. Make sure you log some new data with the BD PROCHOT box not checked. Update your version of ThrottleStop.

The Clear button in Limit Reasons that you put a red circle around only clears any records of previous throttling. It does not fix any problems.

Check the MMIO Lock box in the TPL window. This will prevent the secondary set of power limits from causing any throttling problems. The MMIO power limits are not necessary.

Thanks so much for your reply! I'm really balls deep here and the help is truly appreciated.
I've uploaded my log file. That is without BD PROCHOT checked and with MMIO lock box checked. It still throttles.
Checking the logs with my limited knowledge I've noticed that each time it throttles, there are spikes in the data value of nVidia.

Thanks again! Hope you notice something that'll fix this, since my laptop is well out of warranty haha. Hope I haven't f***** a sensor that'll need replacement (or even worse the chipset itself)

 

[unclewebb]

The log file does not show any BD PROCHOT throttling. That is good.

Do you still have Disable Turbo checked? Clear that box on the main screen of ThrottleStop so the CPU can run at its rated speed. What is Speed Shift EPP set to now? Anywhere between 32 and 84 should be OK.

The main problem is it seems like the Nvidia GPU is doing some severe throttling. You can use GPU-Z to log some data to try to find out why. Some laptops have released BIOS updates that can kill GPU performance. They use a very low and restrictive power limit or they set a very low thermal throttling temperature limit for the Nvidia GPU. The way a laptop runs after one of these updates is installed is nowhere near the performance that was possible when the laptop was new. This seems to be a shady way to force users to upgrade their laptops. If you can find an older BIOS version for your Nvidia GPU, try installing that. Manufacturers like to hide the old versions after the new and improved version is released.

The Nvidia GPU runs fine at 1645 MHz to 1658 MHz and then throttles down to 367 MHz to 390 MHz. I think the Nvidia GPU is what is killing performance. Have a look through the various tabs in GPU-Z to see if you can find what the throttling temperature limit is set to. The GPU-Z log file might show a really low power limit that is being enforced.

 

[RetroRebel]

The log file does not show any BD PROCHOT throttling. That is good.

Do you still have Disable Turbo checked? Clear that box on the main screen of ThrottleStop so the CPU can run at its rated speed. What is Speed Shift EPP set to now? Anywhere between 32 and 84 should be OK.

The main problem is it seems like the Nvidia GPU is doing some severe throttling. You can use GPU-Z to log some data to try to find out why. Some laptops have released BIOS updates that can kill GPU performance. They use a very low and restrictive power limit or they set a very low thermal throttling temperature limit for the Nvidia GPU. The way a laptop runs after one of these updates is installed is nowhere near the performance that was possible when the laptop was new. This seems to be a shady way to force users to upgrade their laptops. If you can find an older BIOS version for your Nvidia GPU, try installing that. Manufacturers like to hide the old versions after the new and improved version is released.

The Nvidia GPU runs fine at 1645 MHz to 1658 MHz and then throttles down to 367 MHz to 390 MHz. I think the Nvidia GPU is what is killing performance. Have a look through the various tabs in GPU-Z to see if you can find what the throttling temperature limit is set to. The GPU-Z log file might show a really low power limit that is being enforced.

Thanks unclewebb! May it be because of what happened when I was doing a clean up? My original post:

Yesterday my coolers were due for a clean up, so I went and opened my laptop, unplugged the battery, and proceeded to remove the fans to properly clear them of dust. Once done I plugged my battery again and sadly missed the slot, so I had to pull it out again to try and plug it once more and thats when I heard some electrical crackling noise coming from the connector (not a good sign at all).

Could I have damaged my GPU? Or a sensor as I think you've said before?

I'll try and delve deeper into what's happening to my GPU.. hope I'm not due to a "new" motherboard since it's an Asus GL503VD and the only way I can replace its mobo is through Aliexpress.

Thanks once again for all the help!

PS: I've tried using both profiles with turbo on and off. Doesn't make a difference sadly, it still throttles. And I've set my EPP to 84 as you've recommended.

I'm getting Pwr and VRef in PerfCap reason. Here's the log.

Is my GPU getting shortage of voltage?

 

[RetroRebel]

Gonna be an annoyance but it's getting worse here. Any help is deeply appreciated!

 

[superplus]

Hello
I also have a processor problem stuck at 0.79 ghz on an i7-8750h, and as soon as it does prochot 97° lights up red, but even when unchecking prochot it does the same.
Unless you have to restart the computer to take the changes into account?
thanks a lot for your help

 

[unclewebb]

Post screenshots when this problem is happening.

unchecking prochot

PROCHOT and BD PROCHOT are two different things. You cannot use ThrottleStop to disable thermal protection.

What laptop model do you have?

 

[superplus]

I can't take a screenshot now, sorry.
I was wrong, I meant disable bd prochot.
I have a Dell XPS-9570
Thank you very much for your help

 

[unclewebb]

Post in English.

Many Dell XPS laptops have power limit throttling problems. This is not the same as BD PROCHOT throttling. Clearing that box will not solve a power limit throttling problem.

Look in Limit Reasons to see if PL1 or PL2 is red when throttling is in progress.

 

[superplus]

Sorry, I forgot to translate.
Here is the screenshot.
The "EDP other" on the right also sometimes lights up red.
At first "disable turo" and "BD PROCHOT" were checked, I unchecked them.
I just updated the bios.

 

[unclewebb]

Your ThrottleStop screenshot shows that your CPU is PL1 power limit throttling. This was a major problem for Dell XPS laptops with Intel 8th Gen processors.

The 8750H has a 45W TDP rating. There is no reason in the world that it should be power limit throttling when power consumption is only 17W. The peak CPU temperature is only 50°C.

The sad news is that this was the first year that Dell introduced this new throttling scheme. It was a disaster. They used an embedded controller (EC) which could force low power limits to the CPU. At this point I gave up trying to fix Dell's throttling problems. Even used I would never buy one of these lemons. ThrottleStop has no ability to change the EC power limits. ThrottleStop cannot be used to fix this power limit throttling problem.

Your laptop with its beautiful screen is not usable for playing games. Too much unnecessary throttling. There should have been a class action lawsuit against Dell for selling these over priced defective laptops but as far as I know, there never was.

 

[superplus]

There's really nothing to do? It's not possible !
You really don't have a solution? I just bought it used and I don't know what to do.
Is it a hardware problem? A captor ? Or software?

 

[unclewebb]

There's really nothing to do?

I have never heard of a way to fix this throttling problem.

People used to phone Dell to complain but they were always told that this was normal.

It is not normal at all. Other laptops from other companies never used power limit throttling like this. Only Dell laptops do this.

 

[superplus]

This limitation is only on this generation of Dell or even on subsequent ones?
so you should no longer buy Dell? What is the best high-end computer brand? (I'm sorry if I'm going a little off topic)

 

[unclewebb]

This limitation is only on this generation of Dell or even on subsequent ones?

The reason why I first wrote ThrottleStop is because of the throttling schemes Dell was using on their 1st Gen Core i processors. The deeper I dug into this issue, the more throttling Dell laptop models I found. Back in the Core 2 Duo era Dell was throttling some of their laptops down to as little as 5% of their rated performance. These were higher end laptops at the time. These were definitely not bargain bin budget laptops.

Over the years it became impossible to remember all of the different Dell laptop models that had throttling issues. As mentioned, I finally gave up.

you should no longer buy Dell

Dell's newest laptops might be great but I would never buy one. There were too many years of Dell shipping laptops that should never have been shipped.

I have been happily using a well cooled desktop computer for years. It has zero throttling problems. I have not kept up with the latest laptops so I do not have any recommendations. My only advice is if you buy anything, new or used, make sure that you can return it for a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied with it.

 

[superplus]

Thanks for your help.
Sorry, I'm new to this topic and I didn't quite understand what you said.
Can we edit the bios file to fix this issue?
What is “UEFI VarStore”?
Can you explain to me how to solve this problem?
What screenshots did you send?
Thank you very much for your help I really don't know what to do anymore, you really help me

 

[mql]

Thanks for your help.
Sorry, I'm new to this topic and I didn't quite understand what you said.
Can we edit the bios file to fix this issue?
What is “UEFI VarStore”?
Can you explain to me how to solve this problem?
What screenshots did you send?
Thank you very much for your help I really don't know what to do anymore, you really help me

I can't edit the bios for you because I need physical access to your computer. I can only suggest what tool you can use to start looking for training materials on editing bios (you.com), ask questions and study the answers. If you get enough knowledge, you will definitely succeed, if you do not understand what you are doing, your computer will turn into a brick.

 

[superplus]

yes of course I'm not asking you to modify it for me, but can you tell me what needs to be modified in the bios to fix this problem? And with what software to do it?

 

[mql]

yes of course I'm not asking you to modify it for me, but can you tell me what needs to be modified in the bios to fix this problem? And with what software to do it?

I have already given you a link to the AI Chat (you.com), which will help you find answers to bios editing questions in 99% of cases. Try to ask the AI a question and you will succeed.

 

[superplus]

I tried to see on you.com, but I can't even see how to open the bios file, I can download an .exe or .rcv file.
If you can spend a little time to help me get out of this, I don't understand all this, you will get me out of a very bad situation.
How do I know what to change?
Sorry to take you so long but I really need help

 

[mql]

I tried to see on you.com, but I can't even see how to open the bios file, I can download an .exe or .rcv file.
If you can spend a little time to help me get out of this, I don't understand all this, you will get me out of a very bad situation.
How do I know what to change?
Sorry to take you so long but I really need help

Send the official DELL support link where you need to download bios to your computer. I'll post the UEFI of his bios here.