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

[gilbert]

hey guys just wondering if anyone made any changes to the options that come up in bios after flashing the Throttling Stop bios mod.

[Zygomorphic]

Durban, you are replying to this thread, and welcome!

[DurbanPoison]

Hi,

I'm new here but have read many of the topics regarding this throttling issue so many of us face. I have a G73JW notebook which I believe has a GPU throttling issue rather than a CPU throttling one.

From my observations, the 460M GTX nvidia card in my notebook which runs at default speeds of 675/1250mhz (Core/Memory), seems to be GPU throttled down to a core speed of 337mhz. This occurs once my gpu temperature reaches 93'C which is in less than a minute of running MSI GPU Kombuster - ( I have attached a screenshot of this)

The same issue affects me in pretty much any game I play such as Skyrim, COD etc

I have checked and noted the GPU clock speed throttle down using MSI Afterburner as well as noting the same 93'C temperature mark where the throttling begins. - (I have attached a screenshot of this too)

I should mention my notebook is around 2 years old and I have blown the air vents and done what I can to ensure the laptop stops overheating, however I may just need to buy a cooling pad in the end...

I also want to mention my brother has an Asus G73JH notebook which had temperatures that soared up to 114'C causing the laptop to continually shutdown as the gpu's internal threshold temp had been reached. I fixed this issue by updating both the Bios and VBios of the machine. The temperature now reaches a maximum of 84'C using Kombuster and the shutdown issue has been solved. I should mention that at this temperature no GPU throttling takes place.

Now, I've tried using ThrottleStop however I'm unsure if I'm using it correctly as it hasn't been able to solve my GPU throttling issue. I simply installed the application, ran it and ensured BD PROCHOT was disabled. I then pressed Turn On and minimized it.

My issue is still however present as I've tested this with Kombuster as well as playing Skyrim and observing the throttling taking place using MSI Afterburner.

When I first launch Skyrim my FPS are around 40FPS until about 4-5 minutes later where the FPS will have now dropped to 15-25FPS when being in the same area, with more or less the same amount of load placed on the GPU as to when I was seeing 40FPS. Quickly alt-tabbing and checking Afterburner's monitor, notice the GPU core speed graph jumping up and down between 675 and 338mhz. Also note the GPU temp at around 92/93'C.

This is why I believe I have a GPU throttling issue, now PLEASE CAN SOMEBODY HELP ME FIX IT!!!




EDIT: Forgot to mention I have in the past updated to bios 203 which I believe is still the most current. I have yet to find an updated vBios for this notebook, therefore it still uses the default factory vBios.

[DurbanPoison]

Assistance please anyone 🙂

[Zygomorphic]

That sounds like a case of GPU throttling to me. While on most notebooks buying a cooling pad helps tremendously, the ROG notebooks use a top-fed cooling design in which the air is drawn through the speaker grille. So, unless you put the cooling pad facing down on the keyboard, I don't think it will help much. 😉 I have a cooling pad, and my GPU temps with and without it vary by 1 C, at best.

The 93 C throttling point is likely the programmed BIOS throttle point for the NVIDA cards. I would not try to override it, as 93 C is pretty hot, even for a video card. The Throttle-stop mod is designed for those whose CPUs are throttling at much lower temperatures, where clearly the heat is not the issue. Besides which, it is a CPU, not a GPU thermal tweak.

For the GTX460M, make sure that you are running the latest NVIDIA drivers, which is 301.42: http://www.geforce.com/drivers/results/44971

That can sometimes help, as it will run the card cooler at idle, and possibly adjust the fan-ramps under load. You already said that you had the BIOS updated to the most recent, so it cannot be that. The only remaining possibility I can see is dsiassembling the notebook and really cleaning out the fans and repasting the GPU.

The final proposition I just gave is a really difficult task. Try cleaning the fans and the radiators before repasting the GPU. If the problem persists, let us know, and maybe one of the Desktop OC'ers can give you some advice in how to paste a GPU, since I have no experience in such things.

Good luck!

[Skye]

I just bought a G53SX a few months ago (I regretted since the G55 was almost released but I just couldn't wait, and it was pretty "cheap" in my country) Anyways, I am pretty noob about this issue, can you please help me? Which BIOS do I download, O use DXDIAG on my laptop and it says I have G53SX but I only see a G53SW or G74SX/SW BIOS link.

Is there a way I can contact you for more info about this? I haven't done anything on the laptop though and I haven't played any game that is mentioned in your thread.

[DurbanPoison]

Hi there Skye,

You can grab all the latest drivers and bios updates for your Asus products from their website. Here's a direct link for your laptop.

http://support.asus.com/Troubleshooting/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=G53SX&p=3&s=252&os=&hashedid=xxkA...

That post details how to update your bios on your laptop. The 'Download' tab next to it will give you the download page for the bios and drivers for your G53SX

As an FYI, rebooting your laptop and pushing delete will get you into the bios. The first bios screen that loads up should display your current Bios.

Regards

[Skye]

DurbanPoison wrote:
Hi there Skye,

You can grab all the latest drivers and bios updates for your Asus products from their website. Here's a direct link for your laptop.

http://support.asus.com/Troubleshooting/detail.aspx?SLanguage=en&m=G53SX&p=3&s=252&os=&hashedid=xxkA...

That post details how to update your bios on your laptop. The 'Download' tab next to it will give you the download page for the bios and drivers for your G53SX

As an FYI, rebooting your laptop and pushing delete will get you into the bios. The first bios screen that loads up should display your current Bios.

Regards

Lol my BIOS is 203 >.<
but I'm scared to update, might brick my laptop 😮

[aeoncleanse]

G74SX: I just flashed my bois with the fix and confirmed with the tool mentioned in the OP. My machine now gets significantly hotter than it did before while running TF2, my main game, and I cam seeing my performance in TF2 suffer, down from a solid 100-150FPS to 40-70FPS. Likely cause is overheating, as temperatures are now 40 degrees higher than they were before.

Is it worth flashing the BIOS back to the previous version, or is there a way I can lock my fan speed to full, either through software or via a hardware mod?

[Vulgar]

I have an:
Asus G74Sx-TH71 BIOS 203
Windows 8 Pro 64-bit
i7-2670QM @ 2.2GHz (8 CPU)
16384MB RAM (16gigs)
Geforce GTX 560M 310.90 WHQL
DirectX 11

I am trying to max out and optimize my system for a modded out Skyrim.
I am using NVIDIA Inspector 1.9.6.8 and I have Throttlestop 5.00.

First off is Throttlestop even necessary or suggested for my rig (Win8 and all)?
If so can someone just simply tell me how to use or what settings to use in Throttlestop 5.00

Secondly what other programs or settings can I use to optimize my laptop for Skyrim. I have read many tweak guides, I have hundreds of hours tweaking out and playing Skyrim, but have yet to get it how I want it, now that I think I do have it how I want it I keep getting CTD's and freezes. I am actually getting very irratated but I don't want to give up on it, so will someone please in a comprehensive manner please help a brother out and just tell me wtf to do.

Please no links to a bunch of tech jargon that ends up not helping. Please no smart ass comments. And please no "There is already a post on that, did you see it here?" comments with a link, because yes I probably already saw it and it didn't help, and it is 2013 now and probably outdated. For instance this thread deals with Throttlestop 4.0, 5.1 is out now but i can't find it so I am using 5.0, which has a totally different interface.

So, if you can see the point I'm trying to make and can feel my pain, help me out if you can.
Please and Thank You