GPU speed decreases to 300MHz during charging process
GPU speed decreases to 300MHz during charging process
I own an Acer Predator Helios 300 from 2019 (i7 9750H, GTX 1660 Ti, 16GB RAM). Recently, whenever my laptop is plugged in, the GPU clock drops to 300mhz and remains there, making most games unplayable. Hardware acceleration for video tasks also activates. The unusual part is that after disconnecting, the GPU clock returns to normal (around 1400MHZ) and temperatures stay within normal ranges. I've tested using different power outlets at home and office, but the problem continues. Could it be related to the power brick or cable, or is there a driver issue?
Check the Nvidia control panel for power settings and Windows Power Plan options to confirm it isn’t running in power-saving or eco mode during charging. Also, verify the 'Turbo' feature, which adjusts fan speeds and CPU/GPU thermal design points dynamically (look for it in the top-left corner on newer models).
Your computer's power settings might be incorrect. Laptops typically have separate profiles for plugged-in operation and battery use, with the latter being less efficient. If your saved setting prioritized saving power over performance, it could be limiting its capabilities.
I would also configure the preferred graphics card to Nvidia. If not, there could be a problem with one of the laptop’s particular software.
Additionally performed Geek Bench GPU test afterward. I’m struggling to grasp what’s happening since the idle GPU clock appears normal (attached image GPUZ1), but during benchmark it drops to 300Mhz and remains there (attached image GPUZ2). The score against other benchmarks for this device is significantly lower. Edit: Included score comparison and updated GPUZ graphs with laptop unplugged. Edited August 11, 2023 by mrpablo further details.
Is there a physical button on this device? It seems like you're restricted by a TDP limit, which is something those hardware controls can sometimes manage, especially if it's stuck in a forced idle state. The display shows power and thermal thresholds, so if your fans aren't making noise, the issue is likely here. If GPU usage stays around 5%, it will run at full speed, but when utilization hits 100% and TDP is capped, it will slow down the clock to save power.
Examine the PerfCap graph closely. Even at 300MHz, the GPU limits its speed to 300MHz due to overheating. It’s clear there’s a cooling issue. On first look, you might think the fan isn’t running. It could be faulty, possibly set to zero in BIOS, Windows, or Nvidia settings, or it might be blocked by dust and debris. Cleaning the fan would likely resolve the problem.
The crowd is buzzing, their voices strong. It seems I’ll have to visit a repair shop since it gets too hot even when running at full speed. This chart shows my attempts to play Warzone 2 in turbo mode with maximum fan settings.
If the fans are spinning, it likely means the vents are completely blocked or the cooler has detached from both the CPU and GPU (unprobable). If you're uncomfortable taking apart your laptop, taking it to a repair shop would be a smart choice. The issue should be straightforward to identify because overheating is already suspected. Good luck!