CPU temperatures can be affected by disabled hyperthreading, as it may reduce performance and heat generation.
CPU temperatures can be affected by disabled hyperthreading, as it may reduce performance and heat generation.
Before starting, I’m not very familiar with computers. I just bought a Lenovo Legion Y540 with a 9th Gen Intel Core i7 9750h and a GTX 1650. I was checking my CPU temperatures using HWiNFO because I already could see GPU temps under load on MSI Kombuster. I noticed some CPU cores hitting 90°C or more in just a few seconds when I started CPU stress tests, and they were throttling. After looking up advice, I turned off hyperthreading in the BIOS and immediately saw temperatures drop below 70°C, and the game ran better. Could it be that with hyperthreading the CPU was constantly throttling and hurting performance, while turning it off improved things? I read that disabling it should have a big effect on gaming, but I haven’t noticed that. In fact, the opposite happened.
Secondly, before trying my method, I just switched to Processor Power Management in the advanced power plan settings. I set both minimum and maximum to 100%, but changing the min didn’t help much. Changing the max from 100% down to 99% (and keeping min below 99%) made a huge difference. Under stress tests, the CPU rarely reached 70°C, even at full power. I didn’t focus much on performance since the temperatures were confusing me, so I undid the changes. I’m puzzled—this doesn’t make sense to me. Can anyone clarify? Also, I’ve never seen my GPU temperature go above 65°C before, and it’s rare for it to exceed 60.
Regarding your questions: Is my conclusion about hyperthreading correct? And what about the power management changes?
Based on the game you play, performance can drop noticeably if it uses many CPU cores. Many laptops come with cooling systems that aren’t strong enough, so when a demanding game runs—especially one that uses a lot of processing power and extra threads—it generates more heat. This forces the CPU to slow down. In your situation, switching to an i5 instead of an i7 would make more sense since you’re not seeing any benefit. The push for 4+core CPUs in laptops has caused many designs to reuse existing models, which often results in higher core counts throttling performance. Since most products are built to last 3 to 4 years, we’re now seeing a shift toward refreshing laptop cases to improve cooling and efficiency.
Hyperthreading boosts performance by making better use of each physical core. Adding more CPU power raises heat and power consumption. Excess heat forces the processor to slow its core speed to prevent damage. This behavior occurs when hyperthreading is active. The optimal fix would be switching to liquid metal thermal paste, which helps maintain lower temperatures while preserving hyperthreading capabilities.
I've reviewed various online discussions about using LM. There are mixed opinions, with some praising its capabilities and others cautioning about potential risks like conductivity, corrosion, and component damage. Since reliable sources are scarce, I recommend checking technical manuals, manufacturer guidelines, or reputable forums for detailed advice before proceeding.
You don't have to use liquid metal, it's just that it conducts heat nearly as well as solder. There's a risk. Follow directions, and you'll be fine. Find a good guide.
Liquid metal includes gallium, making it incompatible with aluminum. Because it conducts electricity, it's recommended for use on laptops and devices with SMDs near the chip—apply a protective layer (such as nail polish) around the chip instead of covering it directly. It's safe to work with nickel and copper, but on copper it may penetrate over time, requiring a reapplication later.