Reporting CPU-related problems.
Reporting CPU-related problems.
I am using a dell Inspiron 15 3251 laptop and experiencing some lag recently while doing simple tasks like playing YouTube video( video itself plays normally but the player interface is somewhat unresponsive). Also, while doing these the CPU usage not much(30-40%) but i am experiencing a kind of lag that i would get on 80% CPU usage. And, Minecraft which was running at 30-35 fps suddenly decides to run at 0-5fps. i collected some data from monitoring software and based on it the issue might be related with CPU. The Intel i3-3217U is rated 1.80Ghz but in the hwmonitor the max clock speed shows 798 MHz and it is kind of locked at that(doesn't decrease or fluctuate). Task manager shows the same clock speed. Moreover, the task manager shows different CPU usage (30-40%) than the hwmonitor (high usage 80-100%) while doing normal tasks. The cpuid also only shows 798 MHz. Somehow the CPU clock is being decreased and set to a constant speed that is half of original speed?? On top of these issues, the hwinfo app tells that integrated GPU not using physical PCIe bus or currently disabled because other GPU is enabled. Also, I performed benchmark test but the whole time i didn't the CPU usage rise up as it should(it didn't even reach 40%). I installed throttlestop but didn't actually touch anything. I also did the balanced power plan setting and it was already 100% minimum is 5%. I am really lost and don't know what I should do it. Please help!! Specs: CPU: Intel i3-3217U @ 1.8 GHz Ram: 16 GB ddr3 1600 MHz (2x8gb) GPU: Intel HD 4000 storage: Crucial ssd 500gb SATA 2.5 in data collected: https://imgur.com/LkGI1Al https://imgur.com/NC4Dq6u https://imgur.com/aMls1wx https://imgur.com/ygtAxYL https://imgur.com/fcpCuU3 https://imgur.com/7DWssXG
This appears to be a power delivery issue. Verify the power configuration once more. I’m unsure if this CPU can handle such low wattage—six watts isn’t much. Have you used tools like Cinebench to assess performance under maximum load? Perhaps reinstall the drivers from Dell’s site (though I didn’t locate your exact model, updating them might help). Keep an eye on other responses, and as a final step, ensure your BIOS is up to date.
Throttlestop indicates BD PROCHOT is active and affecting throttle. Inspect the charger and battery for overheating; if not, disable BD PROCHOT in throttlestop. Task Manager displays unusual usage metrics when clock speed is low, as shown by the calculation: 1.8 multiplied by 0.35 divided by 0.8 equals approximately 0.7875.
BD PROCHOT throttling happens due to an external sensor not connected to the CPU. Your processor is operating normally and isn’t overheating. These sensors consistently malfunction. As mentioned by @Jurrunio, clearing the BD PROCHOT checkbox should resolve the issue. Try a simple test like a TS Bench - 1 Thread and observe the reported throttling speed. Share a screenshot during this test.
On Dell laptops from this period, BD PROCHOT throttling is often caused by the power adapter. Replacing it isn’t necessary unless your battery still charges properly. It’s usually just a faulty sensor. Dell previously required these sensors to ensure users used genuine OEM power adapters. Generally, the problem lies with a bad sensor or incorrect adapter usage.
Thank you for your response. I noticed the CPU usage is around 35-35%, which seems low for a benchmark test. I checked the official Dell website and installed a graphics driver update. I also searched online but didn’t find any guidance for updating the BIOS.
Thank you for your message. I don't rely on batteries and haven't used it since 2018 because it stopped working. My computer uses AC power. I'm willing to give the suggestion a try. I believe it will function. Appreciate your support.
Thank you for your message. I noticed you rely on AC power because your battery failed about two years ago. You mentioned considering a benchmark after checking BD PROCHOT or before, and whether the faulty sensor might affect other functions. I’ll wait for your screenshot update.