Undervolting Legion 5 Pro (i9-14900hx + 4070)

[iH3rOzZ]

Hello! I bought a new laptop recently but it runs really hot even on idle, quiet mode and igpu only enabled. The only thing I've doing so far is coding and I have only played GOW 4 just to test out temps and FPS.

As you can see the offsets work for TS on the upper right corner. But in HWINFO it only shows 1 offset registering . The picture from HWINFO shows temps after running the Cinebench 23 on which I got 35k on.
35k was my initial score from a few days ago when tried running cinebench 23 on stock settings just to see what this laptop could do. I got 35k but really high temps. So I thought I should try UV with TS.
Since I have never done something like this before, I followed a YT video but nothing was working and temps were not going down. So I reset everyting to default and then after re-trying to run the benchmark on stock settings I was only getting 31k. I was afraid that I've just ruined a brand new laptop. For the past few days I have been reading this forum to learn a few things, to understand what does what and hence those are the settings I am using right now! I just got a cinebench score close to my old one so hope is restored. I am running the tests on a IETS GT600, Performance Mode from lenovo vantage. Why isn't HWINFO showing the minus offset values for all cores? I am getting 170w while running the benchmark and CPU throttles. My main goal is to find the sweet spot between temps and fps. I've tried playing GOW 4 on ULTRA, DLSS Balance I was getting 80 FPS give or take while playing and laptop was hot enough. I know I can do better! Any tips, help, suggestions appreciated!

 

[unclewebb]

Why isn't HWINFO showing the minus offset values for all cores?

When using the ThrottleStop mV Boost feature (which you definitely should be using), HWiNFO reports the mV Boost value instead of the undervolt values. ThrottleStop reports the mV Boost and undervolt values separately. I believe that ThrottleStop is reporting this correctly.

This has been reported on the HWiNFO forum so the programmer of HWiNFO is aware of this issue. If you set mV Boost back to 0, HWiNFO will report the offset undervolt values correctly. HWiNFO does not report any offset undervolt changes in real time. That means if you use ThrottleStop to make any changes to the CPU offset voltages, you will have to exit HWiNFO and restart HWiNFO so it can update the undervolt values that it reports. The ThrottleStop FIVR monitoring table reports the offset undervolt values correctly and it updates in real time automatically every second. You can rely on the info that ThrottleStop is reporting.

it runs really hot even on idle

Computers that run hot when idle usually have too many unnecessary tasks running in the background. What does ThrottleStop report for C0% when your computer is supposedly idle? My computer averages less than 0.1% in the C0 state. I hate using computers that are full of bloated programs running in the background. Idle temperatures are low because the CPU is literally not doing anything. If you are miles away from that, look in the Task Manager Details section to find out what is running on your computer. Get rid of what you do not need.

If your computer is thermal throttling when you are running stress tests, your Cinebench results may not be consistent from one run to the next or from one day to the next. Turn on the Log File option in ThrottleStop when running tests. That way you will have a record of how much throttling your CPU is doing and what speed it is really running at. Attach a log file if you want me to have a look at it.

Setting PROCHOT Offset to 15 tells the CPU to start thermal throttling at only 85°C instead of 100°C that Intel recommends. That will reduce maximum performance and will also make your performance inconsistent from one day to the next.

Other than that, the rest of your settings look more or less OK. Your undervolt is definitely working.

Modern laptops with 14900HX processors can consume lots of power when running full load tests like Cinebench. They run hot, hot, hot. Undervolting will help a little bit but it is not going to fully solve this problem. A laptop with a CPU that can pull over 180W is next to impossible to keep cool and quiet. It is just the way it is.

 

[iH3rOzZ]

I've already learned what PROCHOT is. Thank you so much for your response. I will indeed attach my log files at some point. For now, I took a look at task manager details, nothing out of the ordinary is running. I have already made sure to uninstall any lenovo and microsoft bloatware. CPU runs up to 10% which is normal I believe for the process I have open right now. Still temps are hot enough even now or when just being idle. I am always comparing them to a desktop since this is my first laptop. I am logging a file right now where I am on a voice call on microsoft teams, at the same time I have my camera open and streaming my screen on discord and I also have visual studio open along with opera gx typing on the forum. CPU sits at 52 degrees on balanced mode and dGPU mode with cooling pad running on 1000rpm. Kinda hot if you ask me but like you said, there is not much you can do when it comes to a processor like this one.

One last thing. On HWinfo , what is the difference between intel core i9 14900hx DTS section and the one called intel core i9 14900hx enhanced? Which one should I take as a reference in order to monitor my CPU temps?

I will not be attaching 2 log results, one from 1st cinebench test as well as idle results. I have set PROCHOT to 7 and the thermal throttling percentage was ever higher, temps as well. This is what I would like to fix.

 

[unclewebb]

Can you attach a log file from ThrottleStop? The ThrottleStop log file is concise. I can quickly scroll through it and spot any problems. It tells me exactly what I need to know. I find that HWiNFO log files are "too much information". It takes me forever scrolling back and forth trying to find out what I need to know.

CPU runs up to 10% which is normal

That is not normal. It is a sign of too many unnecessary background tasks. That is what creates unnecessary heat. A 14900HX can score over 40K in Cinebench R23 on a lean system without a lot of background flab. If you truly need every task that is running in the background on your computer then you have to accept high idle temps and lower Cinebench R23 scores as normal for your computer.

On HWinfo , what is the difference between intel core i9 14900hx DTS section and the one called intel core i9 14900hx enhanced?

Try asking that question on the HWiNFO forum. I assume that it is reading the same data from two different sensors.

Which one should I take as a reference in order to monitor my CPU temps?

If you are already using ThrottleStop, why not use ThrottleStop to monitor your CPU temperature? It is as accurate as anything else. ThrottleStop tends to be more accurate than anything else when a CPU is fully loaded.

 

[iH3rOzZ]

Can you attach a log file from ThrottleStop? The ThrottleStop log file is concise. I can quickly scroll through it and spot any problems. It tells me exactly what I need to know. I find that HWiNFO log files are "too much information". It takes me forever scrolling back and forth trying to find out what I need to know.

I believe this is the one. I don't know how to initiate a logging session in TS so if the information is insufficient i will try to post a log file again.

 

[iH3rOzZ]

That is not normal. It is a sign of too many unnecessary background tasks. That is what creates unnecessary heat. A 14900HX can score over 40K in Cinebench R23 on a lean system without a lot of background flab. If you truly need every task that is running in the background on your computer then you have to accept high idle temps and lower Cinebench R23 scores as normal for your computer.

How can one possibly reach such a high score?

These are my details. As I said, I had a few things running at the time which I wanted to be running such as vs code, browser, MS teams call and discord call at the same time with camera on and screen sharing. This is why I said 10% is justified. Nevertheless, here are my details. Can you spot anything that you know from personal experience that is automatically running consuming resources without user knowing it, because after taking a look at it I cannot really tell.

 

[unclewebb]

How can one possibly reach such a high score?

The 40K club is for those who know how to get the most out of a 14900HX.

Spoiler

These are my details.

I do not use Windows 11. It is impossible for me to know what tasks are good or bad that are running on your computer.

The C0% data in the log file you posted shows fairly low background activity. It is not as good as it could be but it is not completely horrible. It looks fairly normal considering the apps you have installed on your computer.

You just have to accept the fact that a mobile CPU that can run at over 180W is going to get hot. Buy a Chromebook for internet use if cool and quiet is your goal.

 

[iH3rOzZ]

Completely understandable what you've said so far. I might not be able to ever join the 40k club, but before we close this thread, based on my settings, is there anything else I can adjust on throttlestop just to make my undervolt a little bit more impactful?

 

[unclewebb]

is there anything else I can adjust on ThrottleStop just to make my undervolt a little bit more impactful?

Your settings look OK to me but I have never owned or used a 14900HX. I do not know any secrets to get you into the Cinebench R23 40K club. It is mostly superior cooling that separates the fast CPUs from the world record setting CPUs.