Help with Predator G9-591 (980m)

Hello guys, now I don't know if this is the right place (I'm new and do correct me) but I'm facing a problem with this laptop..
I got this laptop back in Jan/Feb 2017 (new) and used it for 3D rendering n designing only , no gaming of any sorts until this September I started Pubg..
I know it's highly un-optimized game but ran well on lowest (Some at medium)settings @100+fps while streaming..

But at November end I had stopped gaming at all and used the laptop as I normally would for video editing n 3D modeling, so since yesterday I wanted to get back at Pubg and noticed the game could barely run @25fps and not only this affected Pubg but any graphics intensive game I throw at it..

Then after extensive search and googling I did the following :
1)uninstalled Nvidia drivers (using DDU) and did a clean install
2)uninstalled Pubg (deleted the binaries too) and did a clean install
3)Disabled GameDvr and other Nvidia overlays
4)Set Nvidia to max performance
5)Changed laptop settings to max performance
6)Changed steam launch options
7)set the 980m to be primary gpu

Well still nothing have fixed this issue so I decided to download MSI Afterburner to check the clock speeds and noticed a very unsual behaviour

Image: https://scontent.fisb1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t35.0-12/27356384_1238738529561402_3858611955742188656_o.jpg?oh=beeb3b27889e3e64fe60d9727da47c29&oe=5A701B64

That apparently whenever I start Pubg or Project Cars2 (Or any other graphics intensive game), the clock speeds goes up to it's normal state but then gradually decrease to 405mhz (Yes even lower than 532mhz)..

Now I'm not getting any throttle issues or such overheating problems as the laptop is completely quiet with temps around 60C-70C-ish
Please help me, It's annoying the F*** out of me ,
(Also I'm talking about when the laptop is plugged in obviously)
Specs:
i7-6700
Gtx 980m
16Gigs Ram
250GB SSD
1TB Hard

Accepted answers

ven98

Your GPU is throttling. You should only have one 'yes' on performance limit and it is utilization. The other 4 should be 'no', especially the performance limit - thermal, which in your case is 'yes'. Your GPU needs repasting, which means you have to contact Acer support in your region or repaste it yourself(void warranty).

All comments

ven98

Go to Nvidia control panel>3d settings and as preferred graphics processor select Nvidia. Also update your intel HD graphics driver to latest version from Intel's driver page. If it doesn't work, try the Intel driver available here.

What is the version of the Nvidia driver you are currently using?

tamakiyoshisuoh

ven98 said:

Go to Nvidia control panel>3d settings and as preferred graphics processor select Nvidia. Also update your intel HD graphics driver to latest version from Intel's driver page. If it doesn't work, try the Intel driver available here.

What is the version of the Nvidia driver you are currently using?

Thanks for responding .. Yh it's already selected.
Windows is fully updated but alright I'll update that too.

Using the latest driver 390.65

tamakiyoshisuoh

Sadly the intel update didn't fix it

ven98

Last thing you can try is to update both Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers from Acer's driver page. I also suggest you to uninstall GeForce experience if you have it installed and check your in-game graphic settings.

tamakiyoshisuoh

ven98 said:

Last thing you can try is to update both Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers from Acer's driver page. I also suggest you to uninstall GeForce experience if you have it installed and check your in-game graphic settings.

Hmm even they're outdated?

And in-game settings are the lowest possible .. As for a 980m It should handle them at the highest (which it did back in November)

tamakiyoshisuoh

The issue here is that the 980m always seems to be stuck at 405mhz which it shouldn't.. as it should be by it's base clock speed which is around 1000mhz

ven98

tamakiyoshisuoh said:

ven98 said:

Last thing you can try is to update both Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers from Acer's driver page. I also suggest you to uninstall GeForce experience if you have it installed and check your in-game graphic settings.

Hmm even they're outdated?

Try different drivers helps to determine whether the issue is caused by a driver. These drivers might be outdated, but they are configured to work best with your device. Did you uninstall Geforce experience?

You can try resetting the battery. Disconnect from AC adapter, turn off the laptop and follow the instructions. After resetting the battery let the laptop to rest for about 15-20minutes before connecting it back to AC and powering it on.

tamakiyoshisuoh

Yh Uninstalled It , got the old drivers and reset the battery still no luck

I dont get it .. what causes it to be underclocked when gaming .. like it happens only when gaming

ven98

Can you try uninstalling MSI afterburner? It could be altering the clock speeds of your GPU. After you uninstall it, restart the system.

If it doesn't help try updating the BIOS. To check your current BIOS' version open RUN(win+r) and enter msinfo32. In system summary will be shown the version of the BIOS that is currently on your system. Download the latest BIOS here - it is version 1.11. Before executing the installation make sure the device is fully charged and connected to AC adapter. It may restart several times during the installation.

tamakiyoshisuoh

Just did and nothing happened..

I already have the latest bios installed .. should I re-install it?

tamakiyoshisuoh

Alright tried the bios update nothing happened ...

ven98

I have no more ideas, except running a system restore or resetting windows to factory settings.

You can wait for someone else to comment your topic, who might have more ideas.

tamakiyoshisuoh

Hmm Okay .. It's just weird .. I wonder what keeps the 980m at a constant 405mhz .. It doesn't increase at all (except at the start of the game when I restart)

ven98

Can you download HWiNFO and in 'sensors' find where the GPU's status is located.

Run the game and check the GPU's power consumption. I think there is a bug or something else that limits the GPU's power consumption, that is why on games it is unable to run at maximum speeds. I suggest you to enter again in Nvidia control panel and set the power management mode to adaptive and then restart the laptop.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/p7/qow9iw133ec4.png

tamakiyoshisuoh

Image: https://scontent.fisb1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t34.0-0/p280x280/27331608_1239761702792418_6660022183743035759_n.jpg?oh=2a9aba3fd954ba6629f1409bf79fe5bb&oe=5A710AB5

Changed to adaptive mode and have the same results

ven98

Your GPU is throttling. You should only have one 'yes' on performance limit and it is utilization. The other 4 should be 'no', especially the performance limit - thermal, which in your case is 'yes'. Your GPU needs repasting, which means you have to contact Acer support in your region or repaste it yourself(void warranty).

tamakiyoshisuoh

Okay thanks

Are there specifically any good thermal pastes or I can apply any? (sorry don't know much about thermal pastes)

ven98

I suggest you to use a non electrically conductive thermal paste. The best non-conductive thermal paste it Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut, but if you want something cheaper, go for Arctic MX-4.

tamakiyoshisuoh

Alright, though which would be better for gaming?
The "Noctua NT-H1" or the "Arctic MX-4" ?

ven98

The noctua is considered better by 2C, but I can't say anything about it, as I have never used it. MX-4 is very easy to apply and it spreads very easily, covering more area on the die. You can look up people's comments about the 2 compounds to help yout desicion.

NOTE: you need to apply as little thermal paste as possible just enough to spread around the die.

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