GTX 1650 Ti stuck at 300 MHz / 20W under load - Predator Helios 300 (2020) - (PH315-53) -

Hi all,

I'm using a Predator Helios 300 (PH315-53, 2020 model) with a GTX 1650 Ti (4 GB). Lately, I've been experiencing extremely low GPU performance, not even getting 10 FPS in GTA V on minimum settings.

I ran several diagnostics and here’s what I found:

Symptoms:

GPU is stuck at 300 MHz under load
Power draw capped at ~20W (as shown in FurMark / HWInfo)
VRAM usage stays under 30%
Average FurMark score: ~3 FPS / 184 points
Temps peak at 88°C, but clock drops to 300 MHz immediately at start of stress test

Troubleshooting done so far:

✅ Used DDU to fully clean NVIDIA drivers in Safe Mode, reinstalled latest driver (clean install)
✅ BIOS is up to date
✅ EC reset performed (unplugged charger & battery, held power button 60 seconds)
✅ Tested with original Acer charger
✅ No battery swelling or visible damage

Additional Notes:

I haven’t repasted or done thermal service since purchase
Battery is still present; I haven’t tested by physically disconnecting it yet
Windows 11, fully updated

Accepted answers

All comments

Puraw

Hi, run a battery report, paste this in the command prompt: powercfg /batteryreport and open the report with your Edge browser, press Ctrl + P or right click and select "Print to Microsoft PDF", attach the report to your reply, type @Puraw or use "Quote" when you reply so I will get an alert.

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/725930/gtx-1650-ti-stuck-at-300-mhz-20w-under-load-predator-helios-300-2020-ph315-53

Your PH315-53 is a 2020 released laptop and its going onto 5 years old, a repaste and cleaning of the old paste is essential for your gpu and cpu to run cool and this has to be done at least every 12 months and for hard core gamers every 6 moths for best thermal performance and for the cpu and gpu to not overheat. Also I suggest that you change the oem battery if you haven't replace it, as an oem battery only last max 3-4 years before power issues can occur that could affect performance.

I suggest that you clean all the old cpu and gpu and vram paste off completely with isopoll alcohol and repaste the cpu, gpu and vram with the following high grade Thermal Grizzly thermal past and vram paste:

Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal for the CPU
Kryonaut Extreme for the GPU (which is a high end normal paste)
TG Putty for the VRAM chips

This PDF guide is an example given by Acer from the new Predator neo PHN16-71 service guide of how to repaste the cpu with liquid metal paste as a guide. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

Predator Helios Neo PHN16 Liquid Metal SOP Service.pdf

If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful👍

rahulgandhi14

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344624#Comment_1344624

@Puraw Here's the battery report

Battery report.pdf

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344669#Comment_1344669

Hi the battery report shows data starting in May 2024, meaning you replaced the battery last year or Clean Installed Windows11 24H2? Battery wear is 29% equivalent of 2 years usage so if this battery is only 1 year old this is a cheap or refurbished battery (should be 10%). The power drainage is inconclusive, either you did not unplug the adapter during the last 10 days or there is an issue with the battery, 1 hour battery backup is not good. IMO you should replace the battery. Also note that there are no Windows11 drivers available and the last BIOS is from 2021, Personally I would not upgrade to Windows11 24H2 till a new BIOS version is released by Acer. You can get a new battery here: Battery for Acer Predator HELIOS 300 PH315-53-594S,replacement Acer Predator HELIOS 300 PH315-53-594S laptop battery from Singapore(57.48Wh,4 cells)

rahulgandhi14

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344734#Comment_1344734

@Puraw

No, I didn’t replace the battery. And yes, I checked the Windows Update history, Windows 11 24H2 was installed on December 22, 2024.
Since I’ve already installed Windows 11 24H2, can you recommend which version I should downgrade to? Also, would replacing the battery resolve the issue of the GPU running at a lower clock speed?

Puraw

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1344748#Comment_1344748

Replace the battery first then worry about the clock speed, Windows11 is detecting a bad battery and trying to conserve energy possibly by throttling GPU power. Note that in 2025, Microsoft briefly removed official support for Intel’s 10th Gen CPUs, including the i5-10300H, from the Windows 11 24H2 compatibility list and your 2021 BIOS version is for Windows10 (no updates available). yes, a depleted or worn battery can absolutely cause GPU throttling, even when the charger is connected. Replacing the battery often restores normal behavior, especially if the EC and BIOS are tuned to expect a healthy battery for full performance. After replacing the battery and following StevenGen's suggestions and still have GPU issues consider reinstalling Windows11 23H2 from UUPdump.net.

Quick Links

Top Members

Weekly

Puraw 425

Jack22 195

RenanVilela 100

Diya1811 90

GAMING6698 85

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel® Evo™

Game Pass

Acer Corner

Gaming on Chromebook

Swift Series Intel^® Evo™