Helios 300 2019 - PH317-53 Strange problem - CPU limited suddenly?

Just a few days ago, my performance suddenly plummeted. I had no clue why, couldn't find any background programs etc. I normally game in Pubg with >100 fps, and my performance tanked so hard that my mouse input was delayed by a full few seconds (completely unplayable).

I don't know laptops or voltage / cpu stuff well at all! But, looking around this forum I noticed the AIDA64 stress test so I tried it and found this:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/6029997/uploads/editor/55/rjxbc0wll1oy.png

I believe the other guys' Core #1 etc averages were ~80 (mines 36), and that the CPU Package was way higher too (I lost the link but I imagine you guys might already see the problem).

Any ideas?

I did install the newest Nvidia driver recently but that was AFTER this problem started.

Accepted answers

gmitchell

More updates! I decided to unplug my power cord from the laptop and then plug it back in, and boom, back to normal. We'll see if this holds.

Is there some sort of software bug where it thinks the power is 'low' if it boots while it's plugged in or something?

All comments

gmitchell

I should note too that I use the Turbo mode when gaming, and often even just max fans and only set the OC to 'fast' rather than max, and keep the temp nicely low.

xapim

gmitchell are you using TS or xtu to undervolt if xtu uninstall it shutdown reset bios to defaults and use TS instead check here but if youre already using TS probably a stock recovery clean install would be better just make sure you backup everything you need first also win10 1909 has a stupid feature that will cause high temps will force the cpu to max 2 cores only making the others on standby its just stupid but well is microsoft we cant expect much from them anymore so i suggest to stay on 1903 or even on 1809 never had a single issue with it

gmitchell

xapim said:

gmitchell are you using TS or xtu to undervolt if xtu uninstall it shutdown reset bios to defaults and use TS instead check here but if youre already using TS probably a stock recovery clean install would be better just make sure you backup everything you need first also win10 1909 has a stupid feature that will cause high temps will force the cpu to max 2 cores only making the others on standby its just stupid but well is microsoft we cant expect much from them anymore so i suggest to stay on 1903 or even on 1809 never had a single issue with it

I know nothing of TS or XTU. I believe the laptop came undervolted already?
I see the TS link you have there and it sounds straightforward though. But why did you assume I was already using something for undervolting?

Looks like i'm already on 1809. I usually update everything as it comes up, is it odd that i'm that 'behind'?

It doesn't seem like a temp issue, as my temp isn't going up rarely goes up at all since the **** cpu stays so low.

gmitchell

Tried TS. At least I installed it and it's running. Nothing's changed from what I can see.
I play pubg and it's bonkers bad, like it says i have 10 fps but i seem to have some insane input lag.
Tried Deep Rock Galactic, a low poly game, and while it runs, i'm at 20 fps with huge stuttering. All this from what was a godly performing laptop for the last month.

xapim

gmitchell well my next suggestion to rule out any software issues would be as i already suggested above for you to perform a stock recovery clean install but backup whatever you need first disable windows updates from updating drivers/firmware and also try other games like AAA games or latest to see if the fps issues are with all games or just some if all contact acer support directly and explain the situation

gmitchell

xapim said:

gmitchell are you using TS or xtu to undervolt if xtu uninstall it shutdown reset bios to defaults and use TS instead check here but if youre already using TS probably a stock recovery clean install would be better just make sure you backup everything you need first also win10 1909 has a stupid feature that will cause high temps will force the cpu to max 2 cores only making the others on standby its just stupid but well is microsoft we cant expect much from them anymore so i suggest to stay on 1903 or even on 1809 never had a single issue with it

I know nothing of TS or XTU. I believe the laptop came undervolted already?
I see the TS link you have there and it sounds straightforward though. But why did you assume I was already using something for undervolting?

Looks like i'm already on 1809. I usually update everything as it comes up, is it odd that i'm that 'behind'?

It doesn't seem like a temp issue, as my temp isn't going up at all since this problem since the **** cpu stays so low.

gmitchell

xapim said:

gmitchell are you using TS or xtu to undervolt if xtu uninstall it shutdown reset bios to defaults and use TS instead check here but if youre already using TS probably a stock recovery clean install would be better just make sure you backup everything you need first also win10 1909 has a stupid feature that will cause high temps will force the cpu to max 2 cores only making the others on standby its just stupid but well is microsoft we cant expect much from them anymore so i suggest to stay on 1903 or even on 1809 never had a single issue with it

I know nothing of TS or XTU. I believe the laptop came undervolted already?
I see the TS link you have there and it sounds straightforward though. But why did you assume I was already using something for undervolting?

Looks like i'm already on 1809. I usually update everything as it comes up, is it odd that i'm that 'behind'?

It doesn't seem like a temp issue, as my temp isn't going up at all since this problem since the **** cpu stays so low.

gmitchell

Last week I got home from work, starting copying more things over to my external in prep for a wipe, and on a whim tried pubg AGAIN... and this time everything worked fine. Hitting well over 3.6mhz. I was elated for about three games, temps were fine (like under 85), everything was great.

Then the thing happened again. Performance plummeted, even though temps were fine, I was still connected to power and battery was high. Since then, I've tried a few times more and the issue is there from the get-go.

It honestly looks like my cores are just being maxed really low.

Reset the bios to defaults and no change, reinstalled Windows ('keeping my files') and no change, set the Intel Power thingy to performance, no change.

Do I just open an Acer Repair ticket now?! What the hell could cause this? Is there any diagnostics I can show you guys for you to have a better idea of what's happening?

gmitchell

More updates! I decided to unplug my power cord from the laptop and then plug it back in, and boom, back to normal. We'll see if this holds.

Is there some sort of software bug where it thinks the power is 'low' if it boots while it's plugged in or something?

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