Im talking MASSIVE frame drops on Helios 300

Recruit

Hello, Ive got a Predator Helios 300 2018 edition (so second gen with better fans).

Here are my specs:

i7-8750h

GTX 1060-6gb

256gb ssd

16gb 2666mhz ram

PH315-51-78NP

I mainly play Rainbow Six Siege and on high settings, usually getting 130-150 fps in buildings and 100-120 outside. Things like explosions and quick movements bring small drops but nothing unusual. I have owned this laptop for about a year and I have always been fighting against large frame drops, like 50-70 frames.

I thought it was temps, because I saw while gaming that my CPU temps would frequently get to 95C and then I would have performance drops. I bought a thermal pad, which temporarily helped, but a couple months later I was back to the same. Recently, the drops have been so severe and so frequent that I went to more extreme measures. I did a -.160V CPU under-volt through Intel XTU, which has helped temps, I haven't had CPU temps over 90C since, but the frame drops are still as frequent. Ive seen other people on this website getting 70-80C on their CPUs under load and like 50-60C on GPU with largely the same specs, my computer has never performed like that, even from right out of the box. My usual performance, as of now, is usually high 80s on my CPU and high 70s on GPU. I have always had my fans on MAX with cool boost on while gaming, but I still get these temps.

After extensive thermal work the frame drops aren't improving. I have contemplated a GPU under-volt but it's a little more complicated, I was going to do it through MSI afterburner. At this point I think I just got a lemon, because I did hear that this generation had manufacturing inconsistencies so some tech reviewers were getting normal temps and others were getting some like mine. My computer is still under warranty so I didn't really want to open it up because I don't know if that will void the warranty. In terms of updates, I use GeForce experience for my GPU. Right when I got the laptop I did a ton of driver updates and things of the sort right off Acer's website because it wouldn't stay on for more than like 10 mins an wouldn't stay connected to the internet. I have kept things up to date ever since. I'm just confused and don't want to make a big decision like buying a new rig until I know whats wrong.

xapim

Recruit my suggestion its for you to stop using xtu and use TS instead but first remove xtu completely (reset to defaults first and shutdown not reboot and reset bios to defaults the use TS)  check here also you need to optimize your windows if you havent already and i recommend a repaste with kryonaut or similar clean the fans and exit airflow properly if you can yourself without voiding your warranty (if you dont have any stickers/seals you can open it otherwise you cant) or send it back to acer to get it repasted and properly cleaned this might help or not you can also backup whatever you need and reset to stock recovery clean install also check your battery for any significant wear and bare in mind the more usb devices/external display the more the battery will drain if you suffer from this issue and lastly its to search for the best optimization settings for each game 

Recruit

xapim said:

Recruit my suggestion its for you to stop using xtu and use TS instead but first remove xtu completely (reset to defaults first and shutdown not reboot and reset bios to defaults the use TS)  check here also you need to optimize your windows if you havent already and i recommend a repaste with kryonaut or similar clean the fans and exit airflow properly if you can yourself without voiding your warranty (if you dont have any stickers/seals you can open it otherwise you cant) or send it back to acer to get it repasted and properly cleaned this might help or not you can also backup whatever you need and reset to stock recovery clean install also check your battery for any significant wear and bare in mind the more usb devices/external display the more the battery will drain if you suffer from this issue and lastly its to search for the best optimization settings for each game 

I just need some clarification.

1. What do you mean by "optimize your windows" because I think I have done something similar to that before but im not sure.

2. So for the Intel XTU removal you want me to set all the settings in XTU to their defaults and then shutdown my computer. Then you want me to get rid of it. But im a little confused on what I do in the BIOS before getting TS.

3. If I was to send this back to Acer how do I request a maintenance/re paste job?

4. What exactly will stock recovery clean install do, will that wipe my hard drive and then do a fresh install of windows?

5. Do I check my battery through Acer Care, because it has something that does that. 

I have done a test on user benchmark and all of my components are performing at or above expectations, im just not getting the thermal performance that a normal Helios 300 user is, and I never have.

So is it true that some of these laptops were manufactured a little wonky, and if so is it just the thermal paste applications that were messed up or is there somethig

xapim

Windows optimization follow the links on my signature after removing xtu reset bios to default settings stock recovery clean install will install windows to the first day you booted it everything will be formatted for a repaste contact acer support directly if you cannot do it yourself because you have warranty seals and tge battery check the wear percentage with hwinfo or battery bar pro the issues with all gaming laptops it's that the cheap stock thermal paste all manufacturers use its useless and if badly applied its even worse but if properly applied will improve a bit but not even near the improvement of repasting with kryonaut or similar 

Recruit

xapim said:

Windows optimization follow the links on my signature after removing xtu reset bios to default settings stock recovery clean install will install windows to the first day you booted it everything will be formatted for a repaste contact acer support directly if you cannot do it yourself because you have warranty seals and tge battery check the wear percentage with hwinfo or battery bar pro the issues with all gaming laptops it's that the cheap stock thermal paste all manufacturers use its useless and if badly applied its even worse 

What is your "signature" and if the thermal paste that the manufacturers use is bad then ill do it myself. I looked around and couldn't find any stickers blocking any screws so i think im good. So I will have to back up some stuff for the clean install correct?

xapim

Backup whatever u need to first I also advise you to get a 16gb USB drive and create a stock recovery drive via care center forsafe keeping and if your on mobile the signatures aren't visible you have to switch to desktop mode and if you're doing it yourself (the repasting/cleaning ) make sure you have the proper tools to use any good mobile disassemble precision toolkit and pry tools it's enough always use the correct screw driver head for each type of screw do not damage anything especially the heat sink screws etc aldo be careful to not damage any thermal pads 

Recruit

xapim said:

Recruit my suggestion its for you to stop using xtu and use TS instead but first remove xtu completely (reset to defaults first and shutdown not reboot and reset bios to defaults the use TS)  check here also you need to optimize your windows if you havent already and i recommend a repaste with kryonaut or similar clean the fans and exit airflow properly if you can yourself without voiding your warranty (if you dont have any stickers/seals you can open it otherwise you cant) or send it back to acer to get it repasted and properly cleaned this might help or not you can also backup whatever you need and reset to stock recovery clean install also check your battery for any significant wear and bare in mind the more usb devices/external display the more the battery will drain if you suffer from this issue and lastly its to search for the best optimization settings for each game 

I just need some clarification.

1. What do you mean by "optimize your windows" because I think I have done something similar to that before but im not sure.

2. So for the Intel XTU removal you want me to set all the settings in XTU to their defaults and then shutdown my computer. Then you want me to get rid of it. But im a little confused on what I do in the BIOS before getting TS.

3. If I was to send this back to Acer how do I request a maintenance/re paste job?

4. What exactly will stock recovery clean install do, will that wipe my hard drive and then do a fresh install of windows?

5. Do I check my battery through Acer Care, because it has something that does that. 

I have done a test on user benchmark and all of my components are performing at or above expectations, im just not getting the thermal performance that a normal Helios 300 user is, and I never have.

So is it true that some of these laptops were manufactured a little wonky, and if so is it just the thermal paste applications that were messed up or is there something else I need to be aware of.

Recruit

xapim said:

Recruit my suggestion its for you to stop using xtu and use TS instead but first remove xtu completely (reset to defaults first and shutdown not reboot and reset bios to defaults the use TS)  check here also you need to optimize your windows if you havent already and i recommend a repaste with kryonaut or similar clean the fans and exit airflow properly if you can yourself without voiding your warranty (if you dont have any stickers/seals you can open it otherwise you cant) or send it back to acer to get it repasted and properly cleaned this might help or not you can also backup whatever you need and reset to stock recovery clean install also check your battery for any significant wear and bare in mind the more usb devices/external display the more the battery will drain if you suffer from this issue and lastly its to search for the best optimization settings for each game 

I just need some clarification.

1. What do you mean by "optimize your windows" because I think I have done something similar to that before but im not sure.

2. So for the Intel XTU removal you want me to set all the settings in XTU to their defaults and then shutdown my computer. Then you want me to get rid of it. But im a little confused on what I do in the BIOS before getting TS.

3. If I was to send this back to Acer how do I request a maintenance/re paste job?

4. What exactly will stock recovery clean install do, will that wipe my hard drive and then do a fresh install of windows?

5. Do I check my battery through Acer Care, because it has something that does that. 

I have done a test on user benchmark and all of my components are performing at or above expectations, im just not getting the thermal performance that a normal Helios 300 user is, and I never have.

So is it true that some of these laptops were manufactured a little wonky, and if so is it just the thermal paste applications that were messed up or is there something else I need to be aware of.

xapim

Recruit check my signature for the youtube channel where you will find all the videos you need yes xtu follow what i advised above stock recovery will isntall the windows to the first day you have booted it for the first time checking the battery through acer care its useless you need to keep an eye on your battery wear either hwinfo or battery bar pro the laptops dont have any issues the issue here its sometimes badly application of the stock thermal paste and to have acer repaste it you have to contact them directly

Recruit

xapim said:

Recruit check my signature for the youtube channel where you will find all the videos you need yes xtu follow what i advised above stock recovery will isntall the windows to the first day you have booted it for the first time checking the battery through acer care its useless you need to keep an eye on your battery wear either hwinfo or battery bar pro the laptops dont have any issues the issue here its sometimes badly application of the stock thermal paste and to have acer repaste it you have to contact them directly

Thanks man, I sent my computer in to acer 2 weeks ago on a monday and got it back this monday but they didnt have my charger. I just got it back today and I will go over optimising windows and getting the undervolt setup. Thanks for your help.