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Watt Limit or Clock Speed Limit For Thermal Throttling?

Joined
May 2, 2020
Messages
33 (0.02/day)
System Name Acer Swift 3 SF315-52G
Processor Intel i5-8250U
Memory 8 GB DDR4 (Dual Channel)
Video Card(s) Nvidia Geforce MX150
Storage Kingston A2000 500 GB NVMe SSD
Display(s) IPS 1080p
Hi,

I'm using an ultrabook, which is slim and so the cooling isn't that great. Sometimes I game on it and when the processor gets too hot (I set my prochot offset to 5), it throttles. The processor is i5-8250U, the base clock is 1.6 GHz and 3.4 GHz with turbo boost (29W max). I have a laptop cooler at home which really helps, it doesn't throttle at all (constant 60+ FPS) with undervolting applied. But when I'm out somewhere else (indoors), this becomes an issue.

I would like to limit the processor speed so it doesn't get hot enough that it will lag the game. As I observe, when the processor speed goes under 2.8 GHz, the game I playing drops under 60 FPS. Should I limit the processor clock speed (to say 3 GHz) or wattage (power limit from 29 to 27) so it doesn't get hot fast?

This is the current settings.
1652538430535.png
 
Try following the guide.
 
Try following the guide.
What guide? Can you post a link?

Should I limit the processor clock speed
Some people prefer to limit the clock speed and some people prefer to reduce the power limits. Try both methods and see what works best for you.

To limit the CPU speed, if the Turbo Ratio Limits in the FIVR window are not locked, you can reduce them. When these are locked, you can check the Speed Shift box in the TPL window and lower the Speed Shift Max value. Set the Max to 28 for 2793.5 MHz (28 X 99.768 MHz). Either method should work.

Edit - It looks like a Windows power plan setting has set the MSR PL1 power limit to only 9W. You might want to look into that. It could also be some manufacturer's control software that is lowering this power limit.
 
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