3ds Max Crashes After Installing Intel DPTF on Predator PHN16-72 (i9-14900HX)

Hi Acer Community,

I've spent months troubleshooting a persistent crash issue on my Acer Predator PHN16-72 with Intel i9‑14900HX. After extensive testing, I can confirm the problem is directly tied to the Intel DPTF (Dynamic Platform & Thermal Framework) drivers supplied through Acer Support or Windows Update.

⚠️ Issue Summary:

With a clean Windows 11 installation, 3ds Max runs flawlessly.
As soon as Intel DPTF drivers are installed, 3ds Max starts crashing immediately on launch — every single time.
Once these are disabled, 3ds Max works again — but CPU performance drops by ~50% due to power limits.
- Intel Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface
- Dynamic Tuning Technology Device Extension
- Dynamic Tuning Technology Updater Component

🧪 What I’ve already tested:

Clean installs of Windows 10 and 11
BIOS updates (latest version as of July 2025)
Multiple versions of DPTF drivers
Advanced Windows power configuration
ThrottleStop and Intel XTU (both blocked from accessing CPU limits)

None of the above fully solve the problem. The crash only goes away when DPTF is disabled, but that also causes the CPU to throttle heavily.

💡 What I need:

A working version of DPTF for this machine that doesn't conflict with professional software like 3ds Max
OR: A known fix or workaround to keep CPU boost performance without triggering these crashes

🧷 System Info:

Model: Acer Predator PHN16-72
CPU: Intel Core i9‑14900HX
OS: Windows 11 Pro (fully updated)
BIOS: Latest available from Acer as of July 2025
Issue app: Autodesk 3ds Max (multiple versions tested)

📌 Final Note:

This is clearly not an isolated app issue — the crash starts immediately after DPTF is installed, and stops when it's removed. The system then loses CPU boost, making it unusable for rendering. Since DPTF is responsible for CPU policy control on this laptop, it would be helpful to either:

Get access to a stable DPTF driver, or
Learn how to safely disable its unstable components while keeping full CPU power unlocked.

Looking forward to any official reply or suggestions.

Thanks!

Accepted answers

All comments

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/726439/3ds-max-crashes-after-installing-intel-dptf-on-predator-phn16-72-i9-14900hx

DPTF is the 'Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework', go to the Acer PHN16-72 support page and download the Acer DPTF driver for the PHN16-72 laptop and then re-install (not update) the version of Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework they provide for your model, as that should fix all problems with this software. Good luck and hope this helps you out.

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

Avlevian

Hi, thanks for the reply.

Unfortunately , I’ve already tested the official DPTF driver from the Acer PHN16‑72 support page — including clean installs.

The issue persists even with that version:

as soon as DPTF is installed, 3ds Max crashes instantly on launch.

I’ve confirmed that the crash disappears only when all 3 key DPTF components are disabled:

Intel Dynamic Application Loader Host Interface
Dynamic Tuning Technology Device Extension
Dynamic Tuning Technology Updater Component

So, it’s definitely not a general software corruption — the problem seems to be with the DPTF package itself or how it interacts with the ACPI platform policies on this specific model.

I’m currently looking for an older or more stable version of DPTF — ideally one that doesn’t include the problematic APO components.

Let me know if you (or Acer) have access to that.

Thanks again!

StevenGen

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/comment/1346155#Comment_1346155

I've using the PHN16-71 and my laptop doesn't install its Acer specific DPTF version: 1.0.11200.30652 driver and/or has a setting in its Power Management, or has a category for "Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework Settings", with these sub categories:

"Power Limit" with "Level 1-5" as options (1 being the lowest amount of power & 5 the highest)
"Acoustic Limit" with "Level 1-5" as options. (1 being the slowest fan speed & 5 the highest)..

It might have to do with the cpu being locked or something to do with that from Intel, as the DPTF allows you to control CPU power/performance & fan speeds for better consistency during gaming or other heavy loads, so it may be that Acer has locked these settings on these gaming laptops like your and my PHN16-71 and 72 models. Search intel at this link for further details on DPTF: https://01.org/intel®-dynamic-platform-and-thermal-framework-dptf-chromium-os/overview - in regards to the DPTF and try to solve it and get back to the Acer community as I have no idea how to solve this. Good luck.

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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