TravelMate B311RN-33-TCO computers, some of them have dramatic frequency drops in CPU

jorge_garcia
jorge_garcia Member Posts: 6

Tinkerer
edited March 31 in TravelMate and Extensa

Hi:

I work as an IT manager at a school, and we are having problems with a bunch of new B311RN-33-TCO computers. That model ships a N100 CPU and 8GB of RAM.

Some of the computers are completely unusable for some tasks, while others perform as they are expected (the N100 is not the fastest CPU but should be suitable for school use).

Having the same drivers, BIOS version (1.18), etc., some of the computers have a sustained CPU frequency of 1.5 Ghz while the CPU is at 100%, but some others fall to 0.8 Ghz, rendering them unusable. These two screenshots correspond to two computers performing the same task (a Silver Bench test).

image.png image.png

As you can see, the CPU in the second one has fallen to a lower frequency and is installed there until the CPU-intensive task ends (it can even go to lower speeds, down to 0.4 Ghz).

I've been monitoring the temperature with Throttle Stop, and the CPU is not throttling, so that is not the problem.

Both of them have the Windows 11 "performance" plan activated, and Windows 11 has been reinstalled in the computer with the lower speeds, just in case there was some problem with the original installation, but nothing has been solved.

Any idea on what might be happening? We have 20 new computers with this model, and some of them work flawlessly, while some other teachers are complaining because their computer is too slow.

Thank you!

[Edited the topic title to include model number]

Answers

  • jorge_garcia
    jorge_garcia Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    Hi, again. So de problem seems to be related to the BIOS version (1.18). Is there any way to downgrade to 1.16?

    The flashing utility does not allow to downgrade, but, in the BIOS, there is a switch to enable the downgrade process, but I don't know if it is secure, or if must be done with different means, and not with the flashing utility…

    Thank you!

  • Axxo
    Axxo Member, Ally Posts: 1,562

    If your Acer TravelMate computer experiences dramatic CPU frequency drops, it could be due to overheating, power management issues, or driver problems. Try cleaning the vents, updating drivers, and checking power settings.
    Here's a more detailed breakdown of potential causes and solutions:-

    1. Overheating:
      Problem:
      A sudden drop in CPU clock speed is often a sign of the CPU overheating and throttling to prevent damage.
      Solution:
      Clean the vents and fans: Dust buildup can significantly hinder cooling, so clean the vents and fans with compressed air.
      Monitor temperatures: Use software like HWMonitor to track CPU temperatures and identify if they are consistently high.
      Check for proper cooling: Ensure the laptop is not placed on a surface that blocks airflow.
    2. Power Management Issues:
      Problem:
      Some laptops have power management settings that can limit CPU performance, especially when running on battery.
      Solution:
      Adjust power plans: Go to the power settings in Windows and try different power plans (e.g., "High Performance") or customize the power plan to allow for higher CPU speeds.
      Check for manufacturer utilities: Some manufacturers (like Acer) have their own utilities that can control power settings; make sure they are not limiting CPU performance.
      Disable power-saving features: Temporarily disable power-saving features in the BIOS or Windows to see if that resolves the issue.
    3. Driver Issues:
      Problem:
      Outdated or corrupted drivers, especially for the CPU or power management, can cause performance problems.
      Solution:
      Update drivers: Go to the Acer website and download the latest drivers for your specific TravelMate model.
      Roll back drivers: If updating drivers doesn't help, try rolling back to a previous version.
    4. Software Conflicts:
      Problem:
      Certain software or background processes can interfere with CPU performance.
      Solution:
      Check Task Manager: Open Task Manager and see which processes are using the most CPU resources.
      Uninstall unnecessary software: Remove any software that you don't need or that you suspect might be causing problems.
      Run a virus scan: Make sure your computer is free from malware.

    ——————————————————————————
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  • jorge_garcia
    jorge_garcia Member Posts: 6

    Tinkerer

    Hi! Thank you for your answer. About the options that you propose:

    1. Overheating: already checked with different tools, and CPU temperature doesn't go over 60ºC (average temperature of 50ºC), so I don't think that's the problem.
    2. Power management: probably, but not related to the Windows options, but to something else. I think that the firmware is badly calibrated. The only way to relatively fix the problem is to use ThrottleStop and create an "economizer" energy plan with it. That way I can get speeds of 1.20 - 1.40 Ghz when the CPU is at 100%. With any other plan (Acer's plan, balanced, performance), it drops to 80%.
    3. Driver Issues: all drivers are updated, both from ACER's website and from Intel's website (better results with the Intel's ones). BIOS version must be kept to 1.16 (1.18 is available in ACER's website) to achieve the aforementioned speeds.
    4. No software is overloading the CPU.

    Thank you!

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