Hi. I've had this acer nitro 5 - AN517-54 for a while.
I started to have this problem where I got low FPS in all games regardless of graphic settings. To resolve this issue I tried:
- Updated the G-force drivers (didn't work)
- Changed the settings in Nvidia control manager (didn't work)
- Re-installed the G-force drivers through DDU (didn't work)
- Re-installed and updated all the c++ and direct X drivers (didn't work)
- Looked up for the dedicated GPU options (My 3050Ti was not only already dedicated but somehow it was running the games at 100%?)
- Checked up the power plan options (didn't work)
- Enabled all the graphics options in windows (didn't do anything)
- Looked up for cooling + thermal paste replacement (didn't do anything but it was already due)
- Restored a Windows save from before the problem started (worked for half a day every time)
- Re-installed Windows (worked for half a day also)
- Completely formatted my computer (seemed to work for a couple of days only)
After trying trying many different ways, I remembered that the laptop automatically capped all my games at 30fps when playing without charging. However, I have always played my games while charging (as it is intended to) and had no problems until then.
At last, I figured out that It had something to do with the battery and the GPU. Turned out that for some reason, the battery was making the GPU go crazy, not only putting it to 100% but also making the system feel as if it was not connected to the current, thus forcing the low-fps because of the "unplugged state".
The only solution that worked was:
- Resetting the battery by turning off the computer while pressing the power button for at least 15-20 seconds, then waiting a couple of minutes while it is completely turned off.
However, I can confidently say this solution is not permanent since my computer has re-engaged in this issue multiple times again (sometimes appearing for each game booted, and other times the issue would not appear for multiple days/weeks).
I noticed that most of the times the problem appeared because I tried to play a "high-spec" game such as Battlefield 2042 and now Hell Divers 2. It seems that the GPU - Battery system really seems to struggle with this kind of games, but being able to run them without any kind of issue is literally the sole purpose of these machines.
Now I find it very bothersome to apply this solution every time I want to play any of those games. Sometimes I also get persistent lighting and texture issues at the same time (extreme rubber-banding and light flickering), but those I haven't figured out a solution for.
Anyways, I wanted to write this because the "gpu-battery low fps in all games" is a reoccurring problem in this brand and specific model, with many people trying without figuring out any kind of solution. I don't know if changing the battery would do it, or if it is some kind of inherent issue on the controller part. Regardless, I don't plan to spend any more money or time trying to solve this. I believe this computer served me enough so far and I would just look up to upgrading to a better system or even to going back to desktop builds.
It is just a shame because the graphics card is pretty good and I also took lots of advantage from the mobility part during these years. Also, its not like the computer stopped working for everything. I can still play games like Dark Souls 3, Elden Ring, and Minecraft without running into this issue.
In any case, if someone knows the definitive solution, please feel free to share information or guidance to others who still (and surely will) encounter this issue.
[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]
