You know what? Thank you for replying to the thread. In fact, I had already figured out your replies, but this prompted me to write it up properly.
So, for anyone having issues with the thermals on the GL702VS, this is what you do -
1) Download the Intel Xtreme Tuning utility and undervolt the CPU by about 125mV (Set the core offset voltage to -125mV). Sometimes, this setting will rest itself at boot. Here is a link for not letting that happen -
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/how-to-automatically-under-volt-in-xtu-without-opening-it.80...2) Don't disable turbo boost. We will just be able to stay within the thermal limits without doing so.
3) Open the ROG Gaming Center and set the fan boost to 50%. This is a bit suspect - It helps, but will it cause the fan to fail? From my knowledge of electronics, I'd guess not, but would anyone like to comment?
4) Download MSI Afterburner and press Ctrl+F. This opens the voltage-frequency curve. How this works is, (and the sequence is important) the GPU decides the clock speed, and this curve tells the GPU what voltage to use at that clock speed. So, I have a basic curve where right from the lowest voltage available to the highest voltage available, all my clocks are set to 1645MHz (This is the boost clock according to NVIDIA). Now, rather than the clock jumping all around, you will have a steady clock of 1645MHz. This leads to smoother gameplay.
I also tested another curve where the clock starts from 1645 MHz at the lowest voltages and moves up to 1708MHz by the time it reaches 800mV and then becomes constant at 1708MHz all the way to the max voltage.
Using these tweaks, and no repasting etc, I was able to prevent any throttling on the laptop even when inside a room at about 30C. The CPU reaches about 85, averaging at 80 and the GPU reaches 77-78, below the throttle point which seems to be at 80. My criterion is that the clock needs to be rock steady, even after a few hours of gaming. Higher steady clocks maybe possible if you live in colder climes, but this is the best I could do. If you do live in cooler areas, the modifications are simple. Start from 1645 at the lowest voltage, and target the upper frequency in 50MHz jumps. Since ~1700 is stable at 800mV, I'd try 1750, 1800.. figuring out the lowest voltage at which the system is stable - no blinking, tearing etc. Suppose it is 825mV for 1800MHz, then make a curve which rises smoothly from 1645 to 1800 from the lowest voltage to 825mV.
If anyone needs help follwing this, post a reply here and I'd be happy to help.
p.s. Disabling turbo boost could lead to better GPU performance, and I have tried it. It does lead to lower average framerates on Sniper Elite 4 and F1 2017 though. So, why bother!? The idea should be to get the max performance possible in games while the laptop is still well within the safe limits, right?
