ATTENTION: G73/G74/53SW/SX Owners - CPU Throttling to 798mhz and how to fix it

[dkillone]

EDIT: This affects ALL G Series owners that have a sandybridge cpu(G73SW/G74SX/G53SW/G53SX), there is NO exceptions until Asus releases an update, not all games will cause cpu throttling, but so far I am comfirming more and more games that induce it.

EDIT 2: There is also a more permanent fix now as well, but its Unofficial and requires you to flash your bios. CLICK HERE to find out more,

I initially noticed this when I first got my G73SW-XA1 back in mid march, 2011. but didn't think anything of it until a poster had brought this up as some HP owners noticed that their Envy 17 SB is doing this to them. Edit: Which HP fixed their throttling problem on May 29th, 2011.

Problem is when running Prime95 the CPU stays turbo boosted at 2.3 to 2.6ghz. However, once Furmark is started at the same time, the CPU drops instantly to 798mhz. This now also can be noticed in GTA4,SC2,L4D2,WoW and anything that will put high loads on CPU + GPU at the same time. It does NOT just happen during synthetic test.


The FIX

So how to fix it? Well so far it seems running ThrottleStop in monitor only mode stops any, and all throttling. You do not have to mess with any settings, simply extract and run the exe for it to work. If you would like to have it run on bootup, simply create a shortcut, and drop it into your start-up folder. To have it auto-close, go into the ThrottleStop.ini and change "DCExitTime=0" to any number you like(basically just means number of seconds before it closes, I have mine set to 5.)

Throttlestop 4.00:
http://www.techinferno.com/downloads/?did=9


or for more detailed information about TS:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hardware-components-aftermarket-upgrades/531329-throttlestop-guide.h...


There is no known downsides to using throttlestop, your CPU will still down-clock properly when not in use, and it does not run hotter, nor have I found any conflicts with battery draining faster.

Also, you do NOT have to worry about any overheating, even with throttling disabled I see no higher than a peak 81c on my CPU/GPU in a ambient room temp of 84-86f. So you really don't need to worry about that. However, the PSU does get hotter when throttling is disabled when there is significant load on CPU + GPU. So just watch for that, though it should be ok for the most part.

More Permanent Fix
This fix is 100% unofficial, and will require you to flash the BIOS. Which can be done with EasyFlash from within the BIOS menu. This is still done at your OWN RISK, so I am NOT responsible for any laptops not working after flashing.(However as a side note, flashing the bios is a fairly safe thing to do, especially when using the built in flasher Asus already provides.)
*Warning, this also might put more strain on your battery when running on battery only, But I've yet so see any difference during my test. Just beware of the possibility, I am in no way responsible for any damages done.


What this fix does is disable Bi Directional PROCHOT within the bios, so there will be no need to run Throttlestop on bootup anymore. I've been using this bios for quite some time, and I have had no problems, so the risk should be minimal. Also, as a bonus, this bios also enables AES(Learn More) that Asus so kindly forgot to implement into our original bios. The download link is below and the instructions for flashing will be below that.

Download: G53SW_AES_Throttle-Fix.zip
Download: G73SW_AES_Throttle-Fix.zip
Download: G74SX_AES_Throttle-Fix.zip (thanks to AbbyY)


Instructions:

Step 1: Download the file above, extract the 2 files onto a flash drive. Leave the flash drive plugged in.

Step 2: Reboot the computer, and press and hold F2 to get into the bios. Go to Advanced tab, then Start EASY FLASH.

Step 3: You should see the 2 extracted files once into easy flash. Using arrow keys, choose the one with _TFIX(_ORIG is for if you want to go back to default bios). Then hit enter and Yes to update. Let it do its thing, (it will shutdown, but just turn it back on after it shuts down).

Step 4: Once your back into windows, to test for success, download this MSR Tool and type in 0x1fc in the MSR Number box, then click Read MSR. Under the EAX box, you should see "0x0004005E", E being the key here that BD-PROCHOT is disabled(it will be F, it PROHOT is still enabled).

Step 5(optional): You can also test by running Prime95 + Furmark at the same time. Using RealTemp 3.67 to monitor cpu clocks. It should never fall below 1995mhz essentially, but for me, lowest I see it go is 22xxmhz.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Testing

If anyone else would like to test for themselves the programs to use for logging, stressing, etc are:

RealTemp 3.67(mainly to log to a txt file, but also it reads accurately the multi/cpu clocks of the CPU. Can be used for temperatures as well.)
http://majorgeeks.com/Real_Temp_d6098.html

PRIME95(good to get CPU to 100% load, but also checks for memory etc, very good for testing the computer stability)
http://majorgeeks.com/Prime95_d4363.html

Furmark 1.9.0(puts the graphic card at 99-100% load, again, just another good program to check for stability, of course, also just the programs I used to show consistent throttling.)
http://majorgeeks.com/FurMark_d4183.html


Also, if anyone gets some very interesting results, feel free to post in this thread, hopefully this will all lead to an official fix from Asus. We may have a temp fix for now, but always nice to hear official word and for an official update solving this problem. Thanks for reading!


Thread I created on NotebookReview Forums about it.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/576468-g73sw-cpu-throttling-prime95-furma...

Thread of this happening to HP Envy 17 owners.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-envy-hdx/575817-hp-envy-17-sb-throttling-test.html

Confirmed Games that are affected by Throttling(click on the game to see throttling log of that game)

• Grand Theft Auto 4
  
• GRID
  
• StarCraft 2
  
• World of Warcraft
  
• Left 4 Dead 2
  
• Team Fortress 2
  
• Just Cause 2
  
• Skyrim (in 3D mode)
  
• Sonic Generations
  

Video of throttling in GTA IV




NOTES I've gathered so far:

• This is not a temperature problem, temps are perfectly well in range during test. However, Intel could be throttling for laptops that possibly would have high temperatures with both running.
  
• This is not strictly from caused by nvidia as the HP Envy uses an ATI GPU, so this is either motherboard or strictly the CPU.
  
• Using a higher watt PSU has no affect on throttling.
  
• This could be a power draw issue, or a premature temperature throttling.
  
• Using Throttlestop 3.00 stops the throttle, doesnt have to stay on, just be run once on boot.
  
• HP released a BIOS update fixing the throttling problem for Envy 16 gen2 owners on May 29th, 2011.
  
• Using realtemp 3.67 to log cpu during games has proven that throttling is happening outside of artificial test.
  
• GTA4 is the most affected by throttling, frames are around 10-25, but instantly jump to 30+, once throttlestop is opened.
  
• All G53/73SW models are affected by this throttling problem until Asus releases an update to fix it, most likely it will be a new bios.
  
• Ken Lee from GenTechPC has been great help, no one at Asus was really responding to me. I asked if Ken could talk to them, and now he is working with Asus to produce a fix. 😆
  
• This problem still persist on the new G74/53SX series
  
• As of 11-22-11, still no sign that Asus cares to release a bios update fixing this issue(not even for their new G series). So I don't see the point in hoping they will fix it anymore.
  
  

Since all the links are dead, here is my dropbox backup, should have all the files in this post. Choose the one you need.
Dropbox Backup

[Stian234]

I can confirm this fixed the throttling problem for me:

The guide is from our forum member Lannigan ! Read carefully!

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus-gaming-notebook-forum/635264-bios-cpu-throttling-fix.html

THX!

[ColonelS]

per what chastity mentioned..

"I would prefer that we NOT encourage people to mod their BIOS themselves. The settings that Asus use are based on recommendations from Intel. The BD-PROCHOT was implemented for a reason. I would prefer we tweak the settings when the TCC trips rather than disable the thermal protection all-together.

I would also prefer having a beta BIOS released from us rather than hundreds of self-modded ones. This way we can maintain a measure of Quality Control.

As stated earlier, I'd rather get a mod BIOS out for the masses than rather having them mod it themselves. Murphy is inevitable, and can cause people to have to pay for fixes, since self-modding the BIOS is an instant warranty void."

[PILGRIM]

ColonelS wrote:
per what chastity mentioned..

"I would prefer that we NOT encourage people to mod their BIOS themselves. The settings that Asus use are based on recommendations from Intel. The BD-PROCHOT was implemented for a reason. I would prefer we tweak the settings when the TCC trips rather than disable the thermal protection all-together.

I would also prefer having a beta BIOS released from us rather than hundreds of self-modded ones. This way we can maintain a measure of Quality Control.

As stated earlier, I'd rather get a mod BIOS out for the masses than rather having them mod it themselves. Murphy is inevitable, and can cause people to have to pay for fixes, since self-modding the BIOS is an instant warranty void."

Granted. But the QUESTION still persists: Where is the BIOS fix?

[ColonelS]

This matter already been forwarded. Rest assured we are trying our very best.

[Lannigan]

Its cute how you act like this is a new and unknown issue. Not only is there a 13 PAGE post stickied that Chastity started, this has been complained about for roughly a year onALL Asus sandybridge machines. While you are very late to the game, I do hope this means that Asus may finally be turning a corner on their customer service! I love my notebook, I just want to see Asus stand behind what they are selling!

[ColonelS]

I know im new to here. But I have noticed this issue even before i joined asus..

Since now im already in part of the ROG gang. im doing my very best to push this issue to the higher channel -----> pointing at the R&D team

[Lannigan]

As much as I have called Asus out I want to thank both you and Chastity. I have read these forums and notebookreview quite thoroughly and I want it known that Chastity and (new from what I see) ColonelS as they definately seem to be moving in the right direction. Ive been building computers and tweaking hardware for over 15 years now, and had always thought Asus had a great product. While the product still seems good, the support seems to have gone the way of everyone else (overseas) lets make sure we let people know we appreciate what they are trying to do for us, while at the same time staying on Asus (sorry guys) till we get either resolution or it becomes clear we need to look elsewhere for our next purchase. I am more then willing to contribute what I know about the throttling issue (I have fixed the bios on my machine without disabling BDPROCHOT!) if it would be at all helpfull.

[BrodyBoy]

@Swifty: Is there a reason you specifically suggest people use WinFlash when trying your BIOS hack? One of the most common and vociferous recommendations around Asus forums is to avoid WinFlash, since it's known to be the most risky flashing method.

You may want to include that in your disclaimer of liability, i.e., that using the WinFlash utility, as suggested in your instructions, increases the probability of bricking the BIOS. (It might also be a good idea to make it very clear that flashing a modded BIOS instantly voids the Asus warranty, so in the even that the BIOS does get bricked, the RMA will have to be done at the owner's expense. This has been stated elsewhere, but those considering your hack may not see it unless you include it in your posts.)

[Swifty76]

I have never had a problem with winflash, I will make note of that and add an alternative method. Just for those who are sceptical of the winflash method.

[ColonelS]

PM sent to you