Reduce voltage and clock speed while maintaining frame rate for better thermal control? (Laptop)
Reduce voltage and clock speed while maintaining frame rate for better thermal control? (Laptop)
Are any of you doing this? I don’t use it on my desktop, but my Gigabyte G5 laptop gets very hot. To keep things comfortable, I cap my FPS at 60 when I’m getting over 61 or below 35 when I’m under 59 fps. It helps keep my thermal readings lower and makes gaming more pleasant on a laptop that stays under 80°C instead of going above 90°C.
I've already adjusted the CPU voltage down by -80mV. The GPU hits its top speed at 1775MHz, but once it hits 87°C it slows down to 1,050MHz. I can keep lowering it to 1,050MHz and set the voltage to 0.675V, but using RTSS makes it simpler to stabilize frame rate. This way my laptop stays functional without being heavily throttled, and I can tweak settings for each game as needed.
Shifted to PC Gaming *** I haven’t tried this yet, but I think capping FPS doesn’t really help much. Lowering resolution and graphics detail usually gives better results.
I once did this for the same purpose with a 60hz monitor. It improves game performance, keeps the PC cooler, and reduces power consumption.
It can certainly assist. If the frames are high enough for you, just limit it (I wouldn't suggest it in games where latency is important). Still, laptops can become quite warm. You don't need to worry about it until performance drops. Just ensure you clean it annually or so.
I enjoy playing games on my laptop because it’s portable and comfortable to use while lying down. Unfortunately, it wasn’t possible without damaging me due to the laptop getting too hot. My CPU hit low 90s and GPU high 80s, making it extremely uncomfortable. My Laptop: I own a Gigabyte G5 KC with an RTX 3060 105W i5-10500H. At first, I tried setting the frame rate to 60, but even without changing the voltage it still overheated and throttled soon after. Then I opted for Undervolt, Underclock, and FPS Lock. I lowered the CPU voltage to -80mV, cut GPU voltage to 0.7V, reduced the CPU clock to 1525MHz, set the GPU to 0.7V, and locked the frame rate at 60 FPS. Essentially, I upgraded my RTX 3060 to an RTX 2070 model. Here are the Time Spy Scores:
- GPU (3DMARK Time Spy): 8,271 (Normal RTX 3060)
- My Undervolted RTX 3060 (0.725V, 1525MHz): 7,397
- Normal RTX 2070 Laptop: 7,190
Is there another solution? I know I could try better thermal paste or clean the laptop, though it’s only been four months.
Step into the hidden world of mobile gaming machines. Compromises are constant, and when you switch to a mobile device, performance often takes a hit due to heat management. A cooling stand that brings fresh air under your laptop can make a noticeable difference. Modern CPUs and GPUs carefully adjust their speeds based on temperature changes—even in a desktop setup, small adjustments can significantly impact performance. Today, Intel and AMD have both proven they can handle extreme conditions, with CPUs functioning well even when submerged in boiling water. Mobile GPUs are built to withstand temperatures above 90°C during heavy use. Of course, such capabilities won’t feel comfortable on your lap, but they’re rarely a priority in today’s gaming laptops.