No Turbo-Boost on AC power (only while gaming)

heav3nbound

Interesting issue. Already posted on Intel and Microsoft forums

 

MS: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_perf/intel-turboboost-gaming-on-ac-power-in-windows-10/74feb984-f872-41b8-ba17-1d395190c0fa

 

Intel: https://communities.intel.com/inbox?objectType=2&objectID=275938

 

Update: Reverted back to 8.1, made sure BIOS was updated and had all current drivers. SAME ISSUE. HELP!

Also, a guy I work with has the same model Acer, he has the EXACT same problem, however he is still running Windows 10.

 

CPU clock speed drops to sub 1.7Ghz when a game is running in the foreground and the laptop is on AC power. Leave the game in the foreground, unplug from AC using batter, and it appears TurboBoost enables and the PC runs just below 2.4Ghz. The same issue occurs when minimizing the game while plugged in to AC power. Remove AC power and clock speed remains just below 2.4Ghz. I have installed all available windows updates, re-installed updated chipset drivers from acers website.

 

Screen 1: Game in foreground, AC power, lowered clock

Screen 2: Game in foreground, battery power, appears TurboBoost is enabled

Screen 3: Game minimized (still running), AC power, appears TurboBoost is enabled

Screen 4: Game minimized (still running), batter power, appears TurboBoost is enabled

 

 

 

I have an Acer Aspire R3-471T laptop

Intel Core i5 4210U 1.7Ghz (2.4Ghz)

Windows 10 Pro Technical Preview Build 9926 (I am aware running an unfinished version of windows could be the issue)

 

The issue was still present prior to updating to the most recent build. It also occurs regardless of game, it even occurs with emulators. Am I missing something here?

 

Thanks in advance!

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

I'm researching into this a bit for you, but can you check your power option advanced settings to see if something might be disabled, just to check.

heav3nbound

This issue occurs in Balanced and High Performance power settings. Both have been configured for minimum and maximum processor usage at 100% in the processor power management sub menu. I have played with these settings, making minor adjustments to try and identify changes, with no luck.

 

I'm thinking this may be a BIOS issue. As described in one of the other forums I have linked at the top of the post, Lenovo has had the exact same issue with a particular model laptop, and a BIOS update was released to resolve the issue. Could it be an issue with the power supply output? If so, it would have to be because of the PS bundled with the notebook because my colleague has the exact same issue, same model notebook, only difference now is he runs Windows 10, and I am now on 8.1.

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

I apologize for the delayed response, I've been out of office for a couple days. I was able to do some testing on a similar unit, the R3-471. I had a game installed that would be suitable to test the capabilities as best as possible, Far Cry 2. I set all graphic features to the highest levels and used an Intel utility to monitor the CPU speeds and temperature. I'm seeing that it runs at max speed, 2.40GHz quite a bit while running the game. When the temperature jumps to the 40C or higher mark, it turbos up to 2.70GHz as long as the temperature is sitting above 39C.

 

I'm fairly certain that your unit is working as expected, looking over the description of how turbo boosting works according to Intel.

heav3nbound

Justin,

 

I appreciate you taking the time to test. I don't understand how the system could be working normal when there is a clear framerate drop the very second you plug in AC power. Remove the AC power and the framerate changes again, for the better. I'm not talking about 1 or 2 frames, im talking 15-20 frames.

 

See a few posts down this thread...

 

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/insider/forum/insider_wintp-insider_perf/intel-turboboost-gaming-on-ac-power-in-windows-10/74feb984-f872-41b8-ba17-1d395190c0fa

 

You will see I have trials fusion running, and it's actually capturing framerate for your reference. EVERY game I try to run has the exact same issue.

 

thanks again!

krish88

I have exatly the same issue with my laptop, while it is pluged in it is slowing down but while it is running on battery it is working perfectly. I am looking for answer for a while already but i think there is no answer for this. Lots of people are facing this issue. 

heav3nbound

What is your machine model and specs?

krish88

Sorry for delayed reply. I have Acer Aspire E1-570 vs i5 1.8 with turbo boost up to 2.7 processor, intel hd 4000 8 gb Ram. 

Is there any solution for this problem? 

 

 

Thank you in advance. 

heav3nbound

Update: Changing the brightness while on AC power affects the framerate and performance of gaming. Let me explain...

 

I have been wondering, due to the complexities of how turbo boost functions, if the power supply provided with these notebooks are sufficient. I wasn't sure how to test this, until now. With AC plugged in, a game running that has no change in scenery or any movement occuring throughout testing, FRAPS running to show framerate, and task manager to show processor clock speed, there is a considerable difference in performance, framerate, and clock speed from lowest brightness to highest brightness settings. I performed the same experiment on battery, with no change performance, framerate, or clock speed. I performed this test on 2 identical notebooks,as well as 2 seperate power supplies (bundled with the notebooks of course), the Acer Aspire R3-471t, running the same game, same OS, same power configuration, etc. with the same results.

 

Krish, I'm curious if you find the same results. Download and run FRAPS along side your game, and attempt the same experiment above and post your results.

 

Acer Justin, I would like to attempt this with a different power supply that is compatible with with our notebook. The specs for this notebook calls for a 40w power supply. The one bundled is just that, with 19v 2.1A output. However, the site linked below claims to have the power supply for this notebook, but the specs are different. 65w PSU, with 19v and 3.42A output.

 

http://www.accessoriesbank.com/ac-power-adapter-for-acer-aspire-r3-471t-54t1-battery-charger-cord.html

 

Could I risk harming my machine by using a higher wattage PSU with a higher amperage output?

 

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

You do run that risk, yes.

heav3nbound

Ultimately, here is what I'm getting at. I understand that trying a different power supply could harm my machine, and in turn void any warranty I might have with this machine, but shouldn't my findings so far be taken in to consideration that maybe, the power supply packaged with these notebooks were not sufficient? If so, then should I be responsible for purchasing a seperate PSU that IS sufficient? Granted, it's a $20 power supply I'm looking at. I'm not going throw a fit about that. What I would like is some sort of confirmation that this could be the real issue and that a different PSU could be the resolution. I trust that Acer works hard to take care of their customers, and that's all I'm asking.

 

Justin, what specs are the PSU you used for the notebook that was similar to ours during your testing?

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

I tested this unit with a 19V, 2.1A power adapter. I also went ahead and tested this with a 3.42A, the results were the same as before when tested, it turbos when needed. I saw turbo speeds for both adapters between 2.54 and 2.70 very briefly, not longer than a few seconds usually, then it scales back down to 2.40 or less as needed.

heav3nbound

What's really strange, is when I'm on AC, processor clock REFUSES to exceed 1.7 GHz. I figured this might have to do with the bug in 8-8.1 where task manager falsely reports CPU clock speed, but the frame rate of the game running drops in unison with the clock speed, the very moment AC power is plugged in.

Too bad you don't have the R3-471T, I have 2 identical machines that mimic the issue.

heav3nbound

Is that PSU you used a 40 watt as well?

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

Yes the adapter is a 40W adapter. The other adapter I tested it with was a 65W adapter. I agree, I wish I could get my hands on the exact same unit.

 

I see in screentshot three the CPU speed shows 2.35 while the adapter is plugged in, where are you seeing that it doesn't go above 1.7?

 

Am I missing something or are we looking in two different places on your screenshot?

heav3nbound

Notice that the game is in the background at this moment. As soon as it's brought to the foreground, core speed & framerate (even though I don't show the frames in that pic) drop.

 

Makes no sense right?

heav3nbound

If you have troubleshooting steps you would prefer I went through, send them over, and I'll video the process so your confident I don't miss a step, and post a link here for your viewing.

 

Thanks again for your attention on this issue!

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

I didn't do anything special to test it. I used an Intel monitoring application that showed me CPU speed and temperature though and not the Windows task manager, if that helps. I made sure it was set to be always on top, update at the highest speed, show logical cores, the CPU speed, and the CPU temperature.

heav3nbound

is this utility available to consumers or only internal OEM techs?

-Justin

heav3nbound,

 

It wasn't anything that was limited to OEMS. 

heav3nbound

Did some testing. While the CPU clock doesn't change throughout testing (much anyways), it's interesting to note the Processor Power level (w)  as well as the GT Power Level (w) as variables are changed throughout testing.

 

First link shows testing done using Skyrim as the game, running windowed mode with high settings. I changed a variable in the experiment once every 15 seconds on average.Current power plan is high performance.

 

[edited to comply with guidelines - removed link which prompted download]

 

Start - AC Power/ 100% Brightness (Framerate 20)

15 sec. - AC Power/ Reduced Brightness (22)

30 sec. AC Power/ 100% Brightness (19-20)

45 sec. - Battery Power/ 100% Brightness (25)

60 sec. - Battery Power/ Reduced Brightness (25)

75 sec. - Battery Power/ 100% Brightness (25)

 

Second link changes only the monitor. I close the notebook lid and run from an external monitor. The results are interesting. I had to edit out the first 40 some seconds of this next report because the game was launching and the PC was at idle. Testing began around 50 seconds.

 

[edited to comply with guidelines - removed link which prompted download]

 

Start - AC (24/25)

15 sec. - Bat (27/28

30 sec. - AC (24/25)

45 sec. - Bat (27/28)

 

Hopefullly these tests can shed some light. I'll perform the same tests once I get the 65w PSU in.