Need help with undervolting i7-10870h processor, runs at 98°

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

Hey guys,
My laptop has been running very hot recently, so i decided to rollback bios as the latest doesnt allow changing values, and then i changed a few lines through grub, and have unlocked the fivr control panel. All my virtualization settings have been turned off.
Laptop was repasted about a year ago from the Authorized service center. I'm having throttling problems, the temps go up to 92-95 sometimes 96 degrees. Temps starts off nice and low when i open a game but then things go hot very fast. I have always provided good ventilation and sometimes game in a temp controlled room around (22-24°).
I've included a screenshot of the default settings after deleting the .ini file. I did try a couple of methods from youtube , techpowerup forums and reddit, but the most temps i could drop was to 92. I think I'm getting a few settings wrong. Can i get help some pointers ! Thank you.
My specs just in case:
Asus Tuf F15 Fx06LU_FX566LU
Core i7 10870h 8 core , 16 threads
Nvidia gtx 1660ti
32 gb ddr4 2933 mhz
512 gb ssd

 

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

This is a a log file recorded while playing a graphic intensive game (Jedi Survivor). Temps hit a max of 98 degrees lol.
My settings are medium and low with RT turned off.

 

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

@unclewebb a little help please ?

 

[unclewebb]

Try setting the core and the cache to a negative offset of -75 mV. If that is stable, try -100 mV. If -75 mV is not stable, try using -50 mV. When you press the Apply button, the undervolt values should be visible in the FIVR monitoring table at the top right.

The log file shows your computer is reducing the PL1 power limit to only 30W. It is likely power limit throttling to try and control the excess heat. The 10870H has a 45W TDP rating and needs as much as 90W to achieve maximum performance. A laptop will not be able to play games at full speed if a manufacturer is not using an adequate heatsink and fan. The heat will build up inside the longer you play and the slower your CPU will run. I have always liked Asus desktop motherboards but many of their supposedly TUF laptops were not that tough due to poor cooling design.

Laptop was repasted about a year ago from the Authorized service center.

When you send your computer to a service center, there is no way to know what thermal paste they used or if the guy doing the work had any idea what they were doing. The best thing you can do is watch some YouTube videos, go buy a screw driver or two, and do this maintenance procedure yourself. Order some Honeywell PTM 7950. Do not go to the local store and use whatever junk that is convenient. Thermal paste is critical so if you want good results, it has to be done properly. Some popular thermal pastes like MX-4 might work OK on an old desktop CPU. This same paste can fail in less than two weeks when applied to a mobile CPU. Get the good stuff to avoid this problem.

An undervolt is not going to make much of a difference. The 10870H is a power hungry CPU. The cooling needs to be significantly improved.

 

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

Thank you for the reply.
I have tried running games with a value up to -125mv and it runs without crashing, but the temps still go up. So I've made the changes you suggested me and played the game for like 10-15 mins and recorded the log. I will attach it with this message along with the pics.
The changes do appear in the window when i change the values i will attach pics of that as well.
I always had it on my mind and knew those guys wouldn't use good paste. The brands i can find locally or online are Arctic mx-6 , Noctua NH-H1 Pro grade, m79 liquid metal 79W/m*k, cooler master cryofuse, kryonaut (extreme). Which one of these would you recommend, and what at what frequency should i change my thermal paste ?
I do agree, the cooling on this laptop could've been better, but im stuck with it for now, i don't have any issues with the performance it can handle almost anything i throw at it but the heat has been getting unbearable lately .
Should i make any changes in the TPL window , or the turbo limits ? Should i leave TVB and V max Stress enabled ?
I will attach an image of the limits window as well to help you diagnose.

 

[unclewebb]

Which one of these would you recommend

None of them. I know Honeywell PTM 7950 works well long term. I do not know how well any of those other pastes work, especially long term. Here is a good example of the problem that some traditional pastes like Noctua NT-H1 have. Over time thermal paste can pump out leaving almost nothing left between the heatsink and CPU.

at what frequency should i change my thermal paste

PTM 7950 might last for years. Some other pastes might only last a week. You only need to change the paste when things start going to crap. I do not know how your laptop used to be when it was brand new so I have nothing to compare to. I just know that there is a cooling problem now. There is not much you can do besides undervolt and change the thermal paste.

Should i leave TVB and V max Stress enabled?

I would leave those two checked. TVB slows the CPU down 100 MHz when it starts to get warm. That is not nearly enough but I guess it is better than nothing.

i don't have any issues with the performance

Some laptops become unusable because of poorly engineered and excessive throttling schemes. Your computer is not running horrible. The CPU only slows down about 600 MHz compared to the speed it could be running at. For some games, a slightly slower CPU will barely be noticed. It just kind of sucks that most laptop manufacturers did not put more effort and more money into proper design. No point including a powerful 8 core CPU if the chassis and heatsink cannot manage the heat. I think even if you use the world's best thermal paste and it is expertly applied, you are probably still going to have some issues with too much heat.

 

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

The crazy thing is I had recently opened up my laptop to check and clean the heatsinks and fan and I think i noticed white gooey stuff flowing from a few places , though the quantity was very very less. I'm thinking that is the thermal paste.
It does look like the Authorized Service Center has done a great job at fooling the customers.
Why even sell gaming notebooks if they can't provide the necessary service for the customer.
They Can Learn a thing or two from lenovo. I've heard lenovo uses a customized PTM 7958, Instead they use thermal paste from the dollar store.
Come On Asus, you can do much better !
I have Placed an order for the Honeywell PTM 7950 , it should be here in two weeks approximately. Until then i have to suffice with undervolting.
Is there any way i can reduce the TDP and what range do you recommend. I ask this because more TDP = more heat , thus limiting my TDP to a more manageable range should cool things down just a little bit right ? Is there way to keep temps low at the cost of a little bit of performance ?
I've also noticed the PL1 and PL2 limits going crazy red when i gaming. Can i reduce the values here ? If yes , what range do you recommend ?
If my laptop doesn't cross 90 degrees ill be a happy guy xD
Also thank you for the detailed reply !

 

[unclewebb]

Is there any way i can reduce the TDP and what range do you recommend.

Check the MMIO Lock box near the top right corner of the TPL window. Clear the Disable Controls box. Try setting PL1 to 45, set PL2 to 60 and set the turbo time limit to the default 28 seconds. This will reduce maximum performance but it will also help reduce heat. When playing for a while your CPU is still going to get hot and power limit throttle down to 30W. Lowering the power limits in ThrottleStop should help delay the inevitable overheating and power limit throttling.

Post an update after your PTM 7950 arrives and is installed. I have an 11 year old Lenovo Y510P laptop. I have never looked at the thermal paste or ever thought about replacing it. I have never even blown out the dust. Whatever Lenovo was using back then works great long term.

If my laptop doesn't cross 90 degrees ill be a happy guy

Maybe after it is repasted it will be OK but realistically, it will probably still run at up to 90°C. A repaste should reduce the amount of throttling so the CPU will run faster but it might not run any cooler. Intel 10th Gen CPUs with 8 cores that are shoved into laptops are not known for running cool and quiet. Kind of like installing a top fuel funny car engine in your passenger car. There is only so much you can do to manage the excess heat.

 

[runt1m3t3rr0r]

So I've replaced my old thermal paste with PTM 7950 (only cpu and gpu) Left the putty on the vram and other surfaces that are in contact with the heatsink cuz it was still pretty wet. Right out of the box my temps are avg around 40-50., though the local weather also might also be playing a part. I performed the HEAVEN benchmark and things are looking so much better. laptop didnt go above 82 on extreme with max tessellation and pp and on the native res. Laptop also feels much more cool to the touch. Lol. I will post a log file after playing a graphic intensive game soon, I've been a lil busy but i will update as soon as I can. I've heard that PTM 7950 takes a while to get bonded with the surfaces and the temps get better over time, is that right ? Now that things are looking up my next target is to optimize my settings to get the most performance while keeping my temps below 90 degrees.
Edit: Thanks for all the help !

 

[unclewebb]

PTM 7950

I keep recommending Honeywell PTM 7950 because users keep reporting very positive results. Thanks for your feedback.

I am not sure if PTM 7950 gets better after you first install it. I do know that it seems to last a lot longer compared to traditional thermal pastes. It does not have the same pump out issues that traditional thermal paste has when used on mobile CPUs.