The issue you're experiencing with the GPU clock being locked at 210 MHz on your ASUS TUF Gaming F15 FX506HCB laptop after a Windows update is likely tied to a few potential causes. Here are some steps and insights to help troubleshoot and resolve the problem:
1. Check Windows Power Settings:
Even though you've already tried changing power plans, ensure that Windows is not applying a power-saving policy that limits GPU performance. Sometimes, Windows 10/11 may apply a power-saving mode or a setting that affects the GPU clock speed, even under load. Here's how to ensure it's optimized:
- Right-click on the battery icon in the system tray and select "Power Options."
- Select High Performance mode (or create a custom plan with maximum performance settings).
- In the Power Plan Settings, click Change plan settings > Change advanced power settings.
- Under PCI Express, make sure Link State Power Management is set to Off.
2. Check GPU Driver Profiles in NVIDIA Control Panel:
The GPU driver may be setting a performance profile that locks the clock speed for certain tasks. Ensure that the NVIDIA control panel settings are configured for performance:
- Right-click on the desktop and open the NVIDIA Control Panel.
- Go to Manage 3D Settings.
- Under Global Settings, set Power Management Mode to Prefer Maximum Performance.
- Also, ensure that Texture filtering - Quality is set to High Performance to avoid any unnecessary restrictions.
3. Revert to NVIDIA DCH (Declarative Componentized Hardware) Drivers:
Some users have reported similar issues after switching to DCH drivers (a new driver packaging format from NVIDIA), which sometimes create conflicts. If you're using DCH drivers, try reverting to the standard non-DCH version of the drivers to see if that resolves the issue.
4. Disable Integrated Graphics (iGPU) in BIOS:
Some laptops, particularly those with both integrated and discrete GPUs, may experience performance issues if the system is not properly switching between GPUs. Check your BIOS settings to see if there is an option to disable the integrated Intel GPU (iGPU) or configure the laptop to use the NVIDIA GPU exclusively:
- Enter the BIOS by pressing F2 (or the specific key for your model) during boot.
- Look for a setting related to iGPU or GPU switching and disable the integrated GPU.
- Alternatively, set the default GPU to the NVIDIA GPU in BIOS if available.
5. Check for Background Processes/Applications:
Certain background processes or applications may throttle the GPU unnecessarily. Check for any software that could be controlling or limiting the GPU’s performance, such as:
- NVIDIA GeForce Experience: It may have settings that limit performance.
- MSI Afterburner: Even if you use Afterburner, make sure it isn't applying any custom settings when not required.
Also, try Task Manager to identify any background programs consuming excessive resources.
6. Perform a Clean Boot:
To rule out third-party software conflicts, you can perform a clean boot:
- Open msconfig (System Configuration).
- Under the Services tab, uncheck all non-Microsoft services.
- In the Startup tab, disable all non-essential startup items.
- Reboot your system and see if the issue persists with the default drivers.
7. Test with a New Windows Installation:
Since the issue started after a Windows update, there might be a lingering software conflict. Consider performing a clean installation of Windows (using a USB drive and the official Windows installation tool) to ensure no update-related issues are causing the problem.
8. Check for BIOS Settings related to GPU:
Some BIOS versions include settings for GPU power management, which could impact the GPU clock. Review any options in the BIOS related to GPU or power management and try adjusting them (e.g., enabling/disabling GPU Boost, disabling power-saving modes).
9. Possible Conflicting Background Services:
If your drivers work fine with older versions, it’s possible that something introduced by newer drivers conflicts with background services or software. Check for any specific software installed that might control GPU behavior, such as optimization software or GPU monitoring tools.
Conclusion:
The issue likely stems from either a power management setting, driver issue, or conflict between the integrated and dedicated GPUs. The steps above should help identify and resolve the problem, allowing you to use the latest drivers without performance limitations. If the issue persists even with these steps, consider reaching out to ASUS support for a deeper diagnostic, as it may be tied to a more specific firmware or hardware-level issue.
