Predator PH16-71-High CPU Temp with normal GPU

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The CPU is reaching 95 with very light gaming.

3 months ago, I was playing the same game with CPU temp 70.

I took my laptop to ACER service center, but they could not find the problem. We change the thermal base with no benefit. The fan seemed to be working fine when they checked it, but that was game off.

My question is: because the usage of CPU is very low, but the CPU overheated, and at the same time GPU is fine, that means most likely the problem is in the fan itself, not in the heatsink, otherwise the GPU is supposed to be overheated to right?

My laptop is "Predator PH16-71". I bought it a year ago

[Edited the thread to add model name to the title]

Accepted answers

Puraw

Hey @Hamad _511 — thanks for sharing your setup. That 95°C spike during light gaming is definitely unusual, especially with low CPU usage and normal GPU temps. It’s likely a combination of aggressive CPU boosting and ambient heat buildup, possibly worsened by a high-performance SSD in the second M.2 slot.

Here’s a full set of steps to help diagnose and reduce temps:

🧩 Disable CPU Boost via Hidden Windows Setting

Open Registry Editor Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7
Modify “Attributes”
- Double-click Attributes on the right pane.
- Change the value from 1 to 2.
- This unlocks the hidden “Processor performance boost mode” in Power Options.
Access the new setting
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Click Change plan settings on your active plan
- Then Change advanced power settings
- Expand Processor power management > Processor performance boost mode
Set it to “Disabled” This caps your CPU at its base frequency, reducing heat and fan noise.

🔧 Power Plan & PredatorSense Tweaks

Use the Balanced Power Plan in Windows.
In PredatorSense, switch to Best Power Efficiency mode.
This combo has helped other PH16-71 users drop temps from 95°C to 70–80°C during gaming.

🔥 Check the Second SSD Slot

If you’ve installed a high-performance SSD like the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB, it can add significant heat:

Controller temps can hit 75–84°C under load.
Double-sided layout increases heat output, especially if thermal pads are missing.
Firmware bug: Some 990 Pro units falsely report 84°C until reboot. Samsung released a fix via Magician.

Use HWInfo64 or Samsung Magician to check:

Controller temp (should stay under 70°C during light use)
NAND temp (can spike if airflow is poor or padding is missing)

If temps are high, consider adding a thermal pad or repositioning the drive.

🧠 Why This Matters

Even if the SSD isn’t directly heating the CPU, excess heat in the chassis can raise ambient temps and cause the CPU to boost harder to compensate—especially if boost mode is still enabled.

Let us know what SSD model you’re using and what temps you’re seeing after these tweaks. We can help confirm layout, padding, and firmware options if needed!

Axxo

A high CPU temperature with a normal GPU temperature on a Predator PH16-71 laptop, especially during light tasks, can indicate a potential issue. While high temperatures during gaming might be expected for a high-performance laptop, consistent overheating during simple tasks warrants investigation.

Here's a breakdown of the issue and potential solutions:-
Understanding the Problem:
Normal Operating Range:
While gaming, CPU temperatures can reach higher levels, but during simple tasks, like browsing, they should be significantly lower.
Throttling:
High CPU temperatures can cause thermal throttling, where the CPU reduces its clock speed to cool down, potentially impacting performance.
Possible Causes:
Thermal Paste: The thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink might be dried out or poorly applied, hindering heat transfer.
Fan Issues: The CPU fan might not be functioning correctly, or the heatsink might be clogged with dust, preventing proper cooling.
Software Issues: In rare cases, software or BIOS settings might be contributing to the problem.
Power Plan: Using the "Maximum Performance" power plan can increase CPU temperature. Consider switching to "Balanced" or "Power Saver".
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Check Temperatures in BIOS:
Boot into the BIOS and observe the CPU temperature. If it's high even at the BIOS level, it indicates a hardware issue.
2. Monitor CPU Usage:
Use Task Manager to check CPU usage during different tasks, including simple browsing. High CPU usage during idle or light tasks can indicate a problem.
3. Test with a Cooling Pad:
Use a laptop cooling pad to improve airflow and see if it helps reduce the temperature.
4. Update Software and Drivers:
Ensure your BIOS, Windows, and Nvidia drivers are up to date.
5. Consider Undervolting:
In some cases, undervolting the CPU can help reduce heat without impacting performance.
6. Check Fan Functionality:
Ensure the fan is spinning and not making unusual noises. If it's making noises, it might need to be replaced.
7. Replace Thermal Paste:
If you are comfortable, you can try reapplying thermal paste to the CPU and GPU.
-----------------------------------------
If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful.

All comments

Puraw

Hey @Hamad _511 — thanks for sharing your setup. That 95°C spike during light gaming is definitely unusual, especially with low CPU usage and normal GPU temps. It’s likely a combination of aggressive CPU boosting and ambient heat buildup, possibly worsened by a high-performance SSD in the second M.2 slot.

Here’s a full set of steps to help diagnose and reduce temps:

🧩 Disable CPU Boost via Hidden Windows Setting

Open Registry Editor Press Win + R, type regedit, and hit Enter.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7
Modify “Attributes”
- Double-click Attributes on the right pane.
- Change the value from 1 to 2.
- This unlocks the hidden “Processor performance boost mode” in Power Options.
Access the new setting
- Go to Control Panel > Power Options
- Click Change plan settings on your active plan
- Then Change advanced power settings
- Expand Processor power management > Processor performance boost mode
Set it to “Disabled” This caps your CPU at its base frequency, reducing heat and fan noise.

🔧 Power Plan & PredatorSense Tweaks

Use the Balanced Power Plan in Windows.
In PredatorSense, switch to Best Power Efficiency mode.
This combo has helped other PH16-71 users drop temps from 95°C to 70–80°C during gaming.

🔥 Check the Second SSD Slot

If you’ve installed a high-performance SSD like the Samsung 990 Pro 4TB, it can add significant heat:

Controller temps can hit 75–84°C under load.
Double-sided layout increases heat output, especially if thermal pads are missing.
Firmware bug: Some 990 Pro units falsely report 84°C until reboot. Samsung released a fix via Magician.

Use HWInfo64 or Samsung Magician to check:

Controller temp (should stay under 70°C during light use)
NAND temp (can spike if airflow is poor or padding is missing)

If temps are high, consider adding a thermal pad or repositioning the drive.

🧠 Why This Matters

Even if the SSD isn’t directly heating the CPU, excess heat in the chassis can raise ambient temps and cause the CPU to boost harder to compensate—especially if boost mode is still enabled.

Let us know what SSD model you’re using and what temps you’re seeing after these tweaks. We can help confirm layout, padding, and firmware options if needed!

Diya1811

Start by visiting Acer’s official support page for your specific model and installing the latest BIOS and PredatorSense software—this ensures proper fan control and system stability. To help dissipate heat more effectively, use a cooling pad or elevate the rear of the laptop slightly with books to improve airflow beneath the CPU zone. Within Windows, select the Balanced Power Plan from the power settings to maintain stable thermal behavior without overly aggressive performance boosts. Finally, open PredatorSense and switch to the Best Power Efficiency mode; this reduces CPU strain and fan noise while keeping the system responsive for everyday use.

Click on "Yes" if it answers your question or Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful

GAMING6698

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/727520/predator-ph16-71-high-cpu-temp-with-normal-gpu

Follow this guide:

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/724763/ultimate-laptop-cooling-optimization--guide.

Axxo

A high CPU temperature with a normal GPU temperature on a Predator PH16-71 laptop, especially during light tasks, can indicate a potential issue. While high temperatures during gaming might be expected for a high-performance laptop, consistent overheating during simple tasks warrants investigation.

Here's a breakdown of the issue and potential solutions:-
Understanding the Problem:
Normal Operating Range:
While gaming, CPU temperatures can reach higher levels, but during simple tasks, like browsing, they should be significantly lower.
Throttling:
High CPU temperatures can cause thermal throttling, where the CPU reduces its clock speed to cool down, potentially impacting performance.
Possible Causes:
Thermal Paste: The thermal paste between the CPU and heatsink might be dried out or poorly applied, hindering heat transfer.
Fan Issues: The CPU fan might not be functioning correctly, or the heatsink might be clogged with dust, preventing proper cooling.
Software Issues: In rare cases, software or BIOS settings might be contributing to the problem.
Power Plan: Using the "Maximum Performance" power plan can increase CPU temperature. Consider switching to "Balanced" or "Power Saver".
Troubleshooting Steps:
1. Check Temperatures in BIOS:
Boot into the BIOS and observe the CPU temperature. If it's high even at the BIOS level, it indicates a hardware issue.
2. Monitor CPU Usage:
Use Task Manager to check CPU usage during different tasks, including simple browsing. High CPU usage during idle or light tasks can indicate a problem.
3. Test with a Cooling Pad:
Use a laptop cooling pad to improve airflow and see if it helps reduce the temperature.
4. Update Software and Drivers:
Ensure your BIOS, Windows, and Nvidia drivers are up to date.
5. Consider Undervolting:
In some cases, undervolting the CPU can help reduce heat without impacting performance.
6. Check Fan Functionality:
Ensure the fan is spinning and not making unusual noises. If it's making noises, it might need to be replaced.
7. Replace Thermal Paste:
If you are comfortable, you can try reapplying thermal paste to the CPU and GPU.
-----------------------------------------
If this answers your question and solved your query please "Click on Yes" or "Click on Like" if you find my answer useful.

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