Processor speed limited to 2.8GHz
Processor speed limited to 2.8GHz
Hello! Your Asus laptop runs an Intel Core i7 11370H processor. You’re experiencing random CPU frequency drops during gaming, where it jumps to a lower range like 2.7 to 2.8 GHz instead of staying steady around 4.3 GHz. It seems the temperature stays within normal limits (60–70°C under load). Possible causes could include thermal throttling not happening as expected, power delivery issues, or software-related instability. Checking BIOS settings or running a stress test might help identify the root cause.
Likely a wattage limitation, I forget if 11th gen Intel laptops did dynamic power sharing or not (relatively new feature, but 11th gen might be apart of it), but there's a limited power budget on laptops that the CPU and GPU have available. Most of the time, the GPU will want the vast majority of that wattage and therefore leave only enough for the CPU to not severely limit the GPU. A software like HWinfo64 will be able to demonstrate that behavior if applicable.
It might be due to thermal throttling. Laptops can get very hot, causing the CPU to slow down once it hits temperatures above 100°C. Alternatively, the GPU could be limiting performance, which reduces the pressure on the CPU to increase its speed.
Download and operate ThrottleStop version 9.7.2 from the provided link. Capture screenshots of the main interface, FIVR and TPL windows. On the main screen ensure the Log File option is selected and play a game for at least 15 minutes or until your CPU begins throttling. Keep playing a few more minutes to gather sufficient data in the log file that reflects when your computer slowed down. After completing the tests, close the game and exit ThrottleStop so it can finalize the log file. The file will be saved in your ThrottleStop / Logs directory. Include a log file and relevant screenshots in your next post. Intel mobile CPUs may unexpectedly slow down due to various factors. Some ThrottleStop information can aid in diagnosing the issue, though it is often related to heat or power constraints. Review the MMIO Lock setting within the TPL window—it can help avoid throttling methods used across many laptops with Intel 11th Gen mobile processors.