Nitro 5 AN515-57 GPU suddenly stops and CPU gets over usage

I am having a really annoying issue that is not allowing me to play games at all on my brand new laptop. Below are the specs:

Nitro 5 AN515-57 - i5-11400H - RTX 3050

16gb RAM - 1,5TB

This has happened while playing GTA 5 (medium to high specs) and even Valheim on medium specs.

I play the game for a few minutes and out of a sudden it starts lagging heavily. The reason is that the GPU suddenly stops working and gives all the work to the CPU, that gets over usage and is not able to handle the graphics.

The screenshot below shows exactly the moment that it happens. GPU usage dropped to 0% while CPU went all the way to almost 100%, until the laptop even shutdown automatically.

This is really annoying and it shouldn't be happening with games that are not so demanding. The temperatures were even ok, but I'm getting worried that this might be damaging my laptop. Anyone has any idea how to fix this issue?

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

Accepted answers

All comments

JackE

Go to this link. Follow directions for method # 2. Switch Graphic Card for NVidia chip as default GPU for GTA5, Valheim & any other games that depend on the discrete GPU.

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1241716#Comment_1241716

Hello JackE, thanks for your answer. I've already done these steps but unfortunately it did not solve the issue. Windows and all drivers are updated.

One thing I've noticed is that this only happens while gaming. I left Fortnite open in the menu for about 30 minutes and nothing happened. But once I am playing, this happens after about 15 minutes playing.

JackE

Search Windows menu 'power plan'. Click 'edit power plan' near top of menu. Expand processor power management folder. Expand max processor state sub-folder. Change all settings to 90%.

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1241842#Comment_1241842

I already had this setting for some time now, so unfortunately, it's still not the solution.

I kind of gave up on finding the solution, if even restauring Windows did not fix it, I suspect it might be some hardware issue. I contacted Acer support and I'll send it to them to check (it's still on warranty). I'll get back here once I have their answer/the laptop fixed.

JackE

OK. One last thing to check. Expand Intel GPU settings. Make sure both plans are set to balanced, not max performance.

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1241847#Comment_1241847

Hey jackE. So, I noticed something really odd… I reversed the processor power management back to 100% (I've been using it between 90-95% for some time). Now with this setting, I was able to play normally.

However, at 100%, my CPU reaches over 90ºC, which I don't think it's healthy. Whenever I lower the power management to around 98-99%, I am able to play for longer, but the issue still happens. But instead of happening after 5-10 minutes of playing, it happens after 30 minutes. Look below, I was playing for over 30 minutes without the issue happening. The more I investigate this, the more confused I get.

I'll gather all this information and give it to Acer support. Hopefully they'll figure what might be happening.

Imagem do WhatsApp de 2023-11-20 à(s) 11.00.52_2e768d11.jpg

JackE

However, at 100%, my CPU reaches over 90ºC, which I don't think it's healthy.

It is normal and well under expected temperatures with heavy load if CPU stays below ~92ºC and discrete GPU below ~86ºC. Accordingly, I doubt the service center will find much wrong with your machine.

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1242326#Comment_1242326

Yeah, I just think it's weird that this issue started out of a sudden if I was already using the 90-95% power management setting and everything ran normally.

Also, it's curious that my laptop can run the games at this power management setting while maintaining 70-80ºC instead of 92ºC at 100%, without losing any FPS at all.

JackE

I just think it's weird that this issue started out of a sudden

Did you check Control Panel's restore point app to see if any updates around the time this started might possibly be involved?

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1242358#Comment_1242358

Hey! Just getting back to this.

I sent my laptop to Acer's support and they found issues with the motherboard. Some kind of malfuction that would prevent the GPU to work properly. They changed the whole motherboard and apparently problem solved :) Still, I really appreciate all your help @JackE!

JackE

apparently problem solved :)

Thanks for report. Does this mean you are in possession of the repaired machine and have actually tested it to confirm the solution?

VJVS

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1246998#Comment_1246998

Yes! I've played last night for about 3 hours nonstop and the issue did not happen. Usually it would start malfunctioning after 10-20 minutes of playing, so that was my benchmark.