Warning: High throttle settings due to excessive VRM temperatures.
Warning: High throttle settings due to excessive VRM temperatures.
Hi Everyone, Thought this might be useful for someone dealing with unclear throttling problems. Stock 2700x on a Gigabyte A320M-S2H is experiencing serious throttling after just a few seconds at full load. The CPU temperatures are normal, but deeper checks reveal the VRM units are responsible—reaching around 126°C quickly. How typical is this? It sounds like a misunderstanding; a motherboard should handle base clocks well on stock CPUs. Most people would assume a faulty processor unless they understand VRMs and use an infrared thermometer. Even with a fan directly on the VRM, throttling still occurs!
The statement highlights that purchasing a budget motherboard is straightforward—just buy it.
It's typical to place the motherboard inside a case rather than leaving it exposed. Manufacturers, especially those making gaming boards, believe you'll need airflow for cooling. They can handle temperatures around 150°C and have the VRM close to the choke. The laser is connected through the choke, while the actual VRM is the small component beneath it. Disclaimer: The choke and the MOSFET are paired with the capacitor in the VRM.
The infrared beam (red indicator) doesn't reflect the actual temperature reading; it's likely about 1cm lower, probably measuring the surface of the power stages or MOSFETs. The design assumes a budget office system with the standard cooler included for the Ryzen processor. These common coolers direct air downward onto the motherboard, helping cool the MOSFETs and inductors. Your issue lies in using a cooler with horizontal fins and a fan that blows air outward, reducing downward airflow toward the VRM area. The inductors tolerate higher temps (150-180°C), but keeping them too hot is risky. They can handle up to 150°C for the MOSFETs/power stages, yet staying above 100-110°C will eventually damage the board. This is why manufacturers aim to keep temperatures below 100°C. A simple solution is to apply double-sided thermal tape and add RAM or VGA heatsinks on top of the VRMs (the chips beneath the red indicator). Examples: https://www.amazon.com/Awxlumv-Heatsink-...B08QM84KPZ / https://www.amazon.com/Easycargo-Heatsin...B07D4F1F8R
The S2H is Gigabyte's most affordable board, designed for budget-conscious builders. Pairing it with high-end CPUs isn't surprising—it's a practical match. A good balance between CPU and VRM is essential. The heatsink is integrated into the VRM design. Monitoring MOSFET temperatures is important. Many other brands provide similarly low-cost options. Having these affordable boards expands opportunities for budget builders. Limited choices would be disadvantageous.
Without a heatsink attached to the MOSFET, the space where airflow can aid cooling is mainly the MOSFET package itself. If you inspect one of them, they tend to be quite compact and offer limited heat dissipation. Edited August 30, 2021 by Freakwise