TVB issues with i7 10870H processor
TVB issues with i7 10870H processor
Hello, I bought an ASUS ROG G512LV gaming laptop with these details: CPU – intel core i7 10870h, RAM – 32 GB, GPU – RTX 2060 mobile (115w version), and it comes with a 230W charger. Initially, I did a clean Windows install to remove unnecessary files. Once the setup was done and drivers were configured, I added a throttle stop for monitoring CPU usage and made some adjustments. The laptop performed well – multicore tests showed stable performance around 4.6–4.7 GHz, and single-core results reached 4.8–5.0 GHz. After two months of regular use, I encountered an issue. In multicore tests, the CPU consistently hit 4.0 GHz while consuming 82 watts, and single-core speeds never exceeded 4.3–4.4 GHz. Looking into the problem, the throttle stop reports frequent hits on “TVB” during both multicore and single-core tests. I considered updating my BIOS to version 310, but it didn’t resolve the issue. I tried disabling TVB in the FIVR section of the throttle stop, though it remained active. Following advice from a forum user, I searched for solutions related to i7-10870H single-core performance issues above 4.1GHz, but nothing worked. I’m feeling quite frustrated and unsure whether the problem lies with TVB or with my Windows setup. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Are you certain about those all-core clocks you received earlier? The performance varied significantly based on the workload. TVB and Intel chips generally improved overall behavior, but this depended heavily on the tasks being run. In my setup (i7-1087-5H, ThrottleStop enabled, TVB off), I reached a maximum of 4.3Ghz across all cores. When one core was heavily used while others were idle, I saw around 4.4 to 4.6Ghz. With only one core under heavy load and the rest idle, speeds climbed to 4.6 to 4.8Ghz. The 4.9 to 5.1Ghz range appeared only under very light usage or when idle.
Hi, thank you for your response. I ran my laptop after a clean installation and used TS bench and cinebench to check CPU behavior. The multicore frequency stayed around 4.6 to 4.7 GHz while using about 100 watts. Around one minute in, it reached thermal throttling and the pl2 indicator appeared, causing the CPU to lower its speed to cool down. When testing single-threaded tasks with the same tools, the results matched what I mentioned earlier. I strongly suspect TVB is involved—since it wasn’t present or enabled during the initial tests. After that, I noticed a drop in both frequency and power usage. I’m unsure if my issue was due to TVB or something else. For light loads or idle times, the top frequency never exceeded 4.4 GHz, and I didn’t see any readings above that.
This scenario is not feasible under full load conditions. Check the FIVR window for turbo ratios; at eight active cores, the peak multiplier reaches 41. With TVB enabled, the CPU multiplier drops by one, bringing it down to 40. Your screenshot confirms a consistent 40.00 multiplier, indicating the CPU is operating as intended. At the top of the FIVR window, the Locked status is displayed. It appears a BIOS update has been installed that restricts CPU voltage control. The monitoring table shows no offset applied to the CPU, despite a request for -92.8 mV. This suggests the BIOS lock prevents proper voltage adjustments. Additionally, the ability to disable Thermal Velocity Boost throttling is disabled, which may explain the red lighting on TVB. Clearing the Thermal Velocity Boost settings in ThrottleStop does not resolve the issue, as the CPU disregards these commands. Upgrading BIOS can sometimes leave lingering restrictions, making it difficult to revert fully. Consider reaching out to specific forums for your laptop model to see if others have encountered similar problems. Background processes often keep cores active, preventing the CPU from reaching its theoretical maximum multiplier. When idle, Windows 10 should reflect minimal activity, with accurate C0% readings. Many applications run in the background, and only a clean setup allows the CPU to operate at peak efficiency. The CPU’s behavior is influenced by both software settings and hardware limitations, making recovery tricky without careful steps like removing the ThrottleStop configuration file.
You appreciated unclewebb's insights on Anthony's expertise. By default, Asus BIOS supports -80 mV undervolting in the BOIS, though I noticed instability with BIOS version 312 after shutdowns or restarts. It often required manual reconfiguration each time, which led me to skip it. Hope a newer release resolves this issue. Your concern about performance is valid—this laptop seems poorly built. Many users report overheating during heavy tasks or gaming (90+ CPU, 80+ GPU), possibly affecting CPU speed. A BIOS version 310 exists on Asus support, but I doubt it fixes voltage or TVB control issues; some settings might persist after a BIOS flash. I found an older BIOS 306 on other devices, but it’s unavailable on Asus’s site and not listed online. You mentioned background processes using multiple cores—true. Thank you for the advice on power limits; I’ll follow your guidance. I suspect BIOS updates could unlock better CPU control, though I’m cautious about security risks. I’ll attempt a BIOS flash to version 310, then reinstall Windows, hoping it helps. One question: what is TVB and how does it affect performance? Thanks for the help!
It’s a typical working temperature for a contemporary gaming laptop equipped with an Intel mobile processor. Laptops similar to this tend to operate in these ranges. Your machine features superior cooling compared to many I’ve observed. Most comparable models stay stable at lower voltages, while some 10th Gen mobile CPUs need an undervolt of -70 mV for reliable performance. Adjusting the undervolt setting is beneficial, especially if your CPU doesn’t maintain stability even at -80 mV. MSI demonstrated foresight by adding a concealed BIOS feature, allowing users to unlock CPU voltage control. This also lets MSI disable TVB if desired. There’s no indication the CPU is being restricted. Your 10870H maintains optimal speed across all eight cores when active. There’s no sign of throttling beyond the TVB limitation, which is inherent to Intel design. Thermal Velocity Boost (TVB) acts as a protective measure; once temperatures rise past about 65°C or 70°C, it triggers a slowdown of roughly 100 MHz. While BIOS lets you disable this feature, it’s not mandatory. Your cooling system effectively reduces the need for TVB throttling. Why? The issue isn’t Windows—it’s the BIOS that manages CPU voltage and turbo limits. Restarting Windows won’t alter these restrictions. These limits are embedded in the CPU itself. Check Task Manager, navigate to the Details section, and remove any unnecessary background processes to enhance performance under light load.