No, a constant 0 in SpeedShift isn't inherently dangerous.
No, a constant 0 in SpeedShift isn't inherently dangerous.
Hello everyone, I have a query regarding the speed shift setting in ThrottleStop and my experience with undervolting on my Lenovo Legion laptop. The machine has an i7-9750h with RTX2060 mobile, 90W power, 16GB DDR4 in dual-channel, and 8GB*2 memory. I’ve adjusted the offset voltage for the core and cache using ThrottleStop—core at -0.270, cache at -0.150—and the SpeedShift value is currently 0. So far, everything works well during AIDA64 stress tests, with a Cinebench R20 score of 2850. My concern is whether maintaining a SpeedShift value of 0 is beneficial when running light tasks like studying or casual use. The CPU clock runs higher, but idle temperatures stay around 45-44°C, and during stress tests they never exceed 93°C. Thank you for your time and help!
It's safe to push your CPU to its maximum capacity. Intel didn't add a Speed Shift option because they anticipated it would cause widespread issues. This device is yours to manage. Running at higher speeds generally leads to better performance. Intel chips tend to work more effectively when operating at elevated frequencies rather than lower ones. At 4000 MHz, they handle more instructions per unit of power used. If a processor has background jobs, completing them swiftly is key. That's the essence of Speed Shift Technology—it accelerates reaching full speed. The quicker a CPU handles background work, the more time it can dedicate to low-power states like C7. When a core switches to C7, it stops receiving clock signals and voltage, effectively halting operation at 0 MHz and 0 volts. During idle periods, how much time cores spend in C7 matters greatly; often they remain in this state for over 99% of the time. This makes the overall CPU performance less dependent on speed. The reported power usage figures are estimates, not direct measurements, and rely on turbo boost activation under load. For accurate readings, core temperatures offer a more reliable metric than voltage consumption. Assuming consistent temps indicates similar power draw. Many believe a 10-core Intel processor at 5000 MHz will be power-hungry and generate heat, but it does so effectively when C states are active. You don’t need to throttle it excessively—wall power usage stays low even when idle. I usually keep Speed Shift EPP at zero. Windows 10’s High Performance and Ultimate Performance plans automatically set EPP to zero, eliminating the need to manually adjust in ThrottleStop. The FIVR monitoring table displays the actual EPP being applied. Your Cinebench R20 score may be lower during this test. While you run it, check Limit Reasons to see if power caps are being enforced. Your cache voltage might be set too high; most 9750H chips remain stable at -125 mV or -130 mV. If crashes occur (BSODs), lower the cache undervolt slightly. Ensure your built-in TS Bench 960M runs smoothly without errors—any single failure suggests instability and a need for higher voltage.
Thank you for your message. I've adjusted my cache voltage to a more stable setting and experienced improved stability recently. There were some BSODs during the Cinebench R20 tests, but after re-running the benchmark, scores dropped slightly. However, I observed an unusual performance drop during Cinebench. The CPU doesn't reach full boost to 3900MHz as it does in the AIDA64 test, stopping at around 3500MHz, even lower than its idle clock of 4000MHz. Could you clarify what might be causing this reduced performance? I've attached all relevant screenshots for your reference.
Under Limit Reasons in the CORE section it indicates THERMAL glowing red. This suggests your CPU is overheating. The red line in the AIDA graph reflects the same issue. Because the temperature is too high, the processor slows down to protect itself. The 9750H model normally throttles at 100°C. https://ark.intel.com/content/www/us/en/...0-ghz.html Lenovo intentionally lowered this threshold to 94°C. This cuts the upper temperature limit but also lowers peak performance. Lenovo often makes such adjustments. In the Options menu you’ll notice PROCHOT Offset is set to 6, while Intel recommends 0 is fine. Most laptops default to 2 or 3. If no lock icon appears nearby, adjust the PROCHOT Offset value yourself. Reducing the offset can raise the thermal throttling limit. Is this a beneficial change? It depends. If you find a setting that suits you, verify the Lock PROCHOT Offset option so other programs don’t override it. If your BIOS locks this setting, you’ll see a lock icon and won’t be able to modify it via ThrottleStop. To get optimal performance, enhancing cooling is essential. Some users disassemble their laptops and replace thermal paste. Is the cost of risking damage worth a few hundred Cinebench scores? If yes, consider repairing your device.
I prefer stability over risking performance changes. Since I live in a hot climate, I used the AIDA 64 test in a warm room, which affected results. The thermal paste might not be necessary because the laptop is new and hasn’t been used much. AIDA 64 indicates clock speeds remain stable, so I expect little improvement in gaming or benchmark tests. Your answer was really helpful—thank you for your time!