F5F Stay Refreshed Software PC Gaming I can't locate the reason for the FPS drops.

I can't locate the reason for the FPS drops.

I can't locate the reason for the FPS drops.

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J
jedi_pat_smash
Junior Member
3
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#1
Hello everyone, I truly hope you can assist me since I’m running out of options right now.
I play Valorant on an HP laptop and have been facing extremely frequent performance drops.
Every match I play sees my FPS plummet to 12-15, rarely recovering until the end, or if I disconnect for any reason.
I used MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor to investigate the situation.
Here are my current specifications:
CPU: i7-700U
GPU: AMD Radeon R7 m340
RAM: 8GB
While gaming at 720p with a cap at 30fps, I confirmed it’s not due to settings.
The GPU usage stays low, around 20-30%, and the CPU usage is higher, typically 40-60%.
I have at least 1.5Gb of RAM available, so memory isn’t the problem.
I adjusted settings, reset values, and disabled FPS caps, but it didn’t resolve the issue.
The temperatures are quite high—85 to 90°C, rarely exceeding 91°C.
If it reaches 91°C, it only lasts for a brief moment (GPU and CPU temperatures are nearly identical).
I’m aware of these high temps; I’ve taken steps to clean them, replaced the fan, applied thermal paste, and used a cooling pad.
Still, I doubt temperature is the main cause, as the CPU’s maximum temperature rating is 100°C.
During drops, CPU usage spikes to 100% in MSIAfterburner, but this spike isn’t visible in Task Manager.
My Task Manager shows only game activity affecting usage; no other processes are consuming excessive resources.
The CPU and GPU clocks drop during FPS drops, which reminded me of thermal throttling—but I’m not convinced it’s the root cause. The drops occur randomly each round, not consistently at high temps.
Any suggestions on what might be causing this problem?
J
jedi_pat_smash
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #1

Hello everyone, I truly hope you can assist me since I’m running out of options right now.
I play Valorant on an HP laptop and have been facing extremely frequent performance drops.
Every match I play sees my FPS plummet to 12-15, rarely recovering until the end, or if I disconnect for any reason.
I used MSI Afterburner and HWMonitor to investigate the situation.
Here are my current specifications:
CPU: i7-700U
GPU: AMD Radeon R7 m340
RAM: 8GB
While gaming at 720p with a cap at 30fps, I confirmed it’s not due to settings.
The GPU usage stays low, around 20-30%, and the CPU usage is higher, typically 40-60%.
I have at least 1.5Gb of RAM available, so memory isn’t the problem.
I adjusted settings, reset values, and disabled FPS caps, but it didn’t resolve the issue.
The temperatures are quite high—85 to 90°C, rarely exceeding 91°C.
If it reaches 91°C, it only lasts for a brief moment (GPU and CPU temperatures are nearly identical).
I’m aware of these high temps; I’ve taken steps to clean them, replaced the fan, applied thermal paste, and used a cooling pad.
Still, I doubt temperature is the main cause, as the CPU’s maximum temperature rating is 100°C.
During drops, CPU usage spikes to 100% in MSIAfterburner, but this spike isn’t visible in Task Manager.
My Task Manager shows only game activity affecting usage; no other processes are consuming excessive resources.
The CPU and GPU clocks drop during FPS drops, which reminded me of thermal throttling—but I’m not convinced it’s the root cause. The drops occur randomly each round, not consistently at high temps.
Any suggestions on what might be causing this problem?

_
_digiboy
Member
196
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#2
When both the CPU and GPU slow down at 85°C, it indicates thermal throttling. Look in your BIOS to find the maximum allowed CPU temperature setting on the monitor.
_
_digiboy
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #2

When both the CPU and GPU slow down at 85°C, it indicates thermal throttling. Look in your BIOS to find the maximum allowed CPU temperature setting on the monitor.

N
Niqhtfall
Member
64
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#3
the temperatures aren't consistently at 85; both the CPU and GPU tend to stay near this range most of the time, though they can reach up to 90 occasionally. the drops occur unpredictably, not tied to a specific temperature threshold. also, according to Intel, the CPU's maximum temperature is 100.
N
Niqhtfall
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #3

the temperatures aren't consistently at 85; both the CPU and GPU tend to stay near this range most of the time, though they can reach up to 90 occasionally. the drops occur unpredictably, not tied to a specific temperature threshold. also, according to Intel, the CPU's maximum temperature is 100.

L
logan3668
Junior Member
16
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#4
Is this occurrence present in other games?
L
logan3668
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #4

Is this occurrence present in other games?

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__NerdyPanda__
Junior Member
47
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#5
I attempted Batman Arkham Asylum, it worked before, but I tried it yesterday and it performed the same.
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__NerdyPanda__
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #5

I attempted Batman Arkham Asylum, it worked before, but I tried it yesterday and it performed the same.

N
nc432
Member
186
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#6
Have you experimented with adjusting the window power mode to high performance?
N
nc432
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #6

Have you experimented with adjusting the window power mode to high performance?

S
Skooby247
Junior Member
36
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#7
Yes, it has consistently delivered strong performance over time.
S
Skooby247
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #7

Yes, it has consistently delivered strong performance over time.

S
s4dfase
Junior Member
3
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#8
Install cpuid HWmonitor and observe the details it displays about voltages, temperatures, and other metrics to assess its capabilities.
S
s4dfase
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #8

Install cpuid HWmonitor and observe the details it displays about voltages, temperatures, and other metrics to assess its capabilities.

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_Hobo_
Member
84
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#9
I already have HWMonitor. Temperatures are in the 80s after a minute of gaming, usually reaching a peak of 90-91. Today it hit 95 for the first time ever. During drops, the CPU voltage spikes to 100 even though I barely use 50% during the game. Even though I took all measures to prevent overheating, I’m unsure if those temperatures are actually causing the drop. Since the i7 7500U has a max temperature of 100, it’s possible. My laptop is cleaned, I’ve installed a new fan, applied thermal paste, and used a cooling pad.
_
_Hobo_
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #9

I already have HWMonitor. Temperatures are in the 80s after a minute of gaming, usually reaching a peak of 90-91. Today it hit 95 for the first time ever. During drops, the CPU voltage spikes to 100 even though I barely use 50% during the game. Even though I took all measures to prevent overheating, I’m unsure if those temperatures are actually causing the drop. Since the i7 7500U has a max temperature of 100, it’s possible. My laptop is cleaned, I’ve installed a new fan, applied thermal paste, and used a cooling pad.

M
MooMoo2011
Senior Member
690
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM
#10
It's clearly showing thermal throttling.
M
MooMoo2011
10-12-2025, 02:42 AM #10

It's clearly showing thermal throttling.

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