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

[antirandom]

Hello,

I set bios G74SX AES Throttle Fix!
No problem! Everything works well and does not get hot!

Thank you very much!

[pandation]

I follow the instructions to use fat usb to disable bd-prochot, so far I see things going ok. However, it means, there will be no stop when cpu usage increases. Talking about browsing/idle 70C cpu temp, happenend to me yday, which somehow caused by a corrupted intel rapid storage drivers/apps, they only used 12-15% cpu, still they caused 70C idle temp. So, just remember if your temp raised too high when you think your comp is idling, check task manager, see whats going on.

[Stilo]

Hello everyone, Just a little post to let you informed that I am in the same case of many of you .

I just got back my asus G53sx back from RMA after a defective gtx 560m (freezing) and now I encouter the same throtle issue unlike before.

My battlefield is running poorly on 25-50 fps on very low and I get horrible cpu spikes resulting in many lag.

I tried most of the solutions posted here and there , throttlestop furmark etc I will make a more documented post in the next few days.

It would be cool comparing graph more specially the perfoverlay for those concerned, no ?

But before doing further troubleshooting I'm going to call asus next monday. I have not seen any intervention from asus?

Anyway I'm fed up with this comp, tempted to think desktop will always rule gaming..


ps: sry for bad english

[dstrakele]

Are you running "High Performance" power setting while plugged in on A/C?

[aeoncleanse]

@dstrakele: I am.

[rodney4555]

I tried Flashing the Bios, and now, I need to send my laptop to the service center, because ive tried all troubleshooting method to just open the laptop, no response, when the thread said " This is still done at your OWN RISK, so I am NOT responsible for any laptops not working after flashing." I guess he really meant it. Damn

[Zygomorphic]

Flashing the BIOS is inherently risky, as it is much like rebuilding your car's engine yourself, only while it is running...you are over-writing the very essence (soul) of your computer while it is alive, which risks killing it. Modded BIOSes are even more dangerous, since they are not extensively tested by the computer vendor. I sincerely believe ASUS should give notebook users the BIOS recovery button like they do on the motherboards...1 push to go back to the original shipped BIOS.

[DrBeltway]

Just a heads-up for those interested in enabling the i7 AES instruction set - dkillone's link to AES-NI info :

The first modified BIOS in the thread (By dkillone & AbbyY) enables AES.

The second modified BIOS (By Swifty76 on pg. 5 of this thread) does not enable AES.

Both modified BIOS enable a lot of additional options.

[Zygomorphic]

DrBeltway wrote:
Just a heads-up for those interested in enabling the i7 AES instruction set - dkillone's link to AES-NI info :

The first modified BIOS in the thread (By dkillone & AbbyY) enables AES.

The second modified BIOS (By Swifty76 on pg. 5 of this thread) does not enable AES.

Both modified BIOS enable a lot of additional options.

Great, thank you @DrBeltwat\y. That is very helpful to point out the encryption instructions which accelerate the encryption/decryption process significantly. The latest ASUS-supported BIOS for G53SX has it as well.

[BullDozzer]

Okay, so have anyone else used the G74SX bios mentioned in OP?
because those just bricked my pc. Powerbutton does nothing now...

Moved to usb-stick, EF says its uncool since the target platform info etc was not in the house. I trusted the sticky thread and ****. Progress bar, Power off, Nothing happens....