tuning the i7-8565U

[zagacao]

Hello, I recently discovered this ThrottleStop program and did some research about it. I've seen that all sorts of interesting things become possible using this application.

Without modifying anything on the laptop, it throttles very quickly. Mostly because of PL2. I would like to increase that limit.

I've slightly limited TRL, and I don't feel a loss of performance in my usage. The laptop has a rather mediocre cooling system. Maybe I can manage to create a stable configuration for a bit of gaming , I have a dedicated Radeon RX 550X graphics card.

I'm looking forward to some advice or tips from you. I would really appreciate it if you could also explain what you recommend to change.

 

[unclewebb]

I would like to increase that limit.

Then go ahead and increase that limit. Check the MMIO Lock box near the top right of the TPL window. Clear the Disable Controls box and set the turbo power limits to whatever your cooling can manage. Many similar laptops set PL2 to 44W. Try increasing PL1 to at least 35W. These CPUs run great when you increase the power limits.

To undervolt your CPU, set the core and the cache offset to somewhere between -50 mV and -75 mV. This will help reduce power consumption and heat. If you do not have the time or patience to do a lot of stability testing, use -50 mV. This is usually 100% stable for most similar CPUs that I have heard about. The TS Bench 960M test is a good quick stability test. If this test reports any errors then immediately stop the test and increase the voltage.

I've slightly limited TRL

Slightly? Dropping the maximum CPU speed 800 MHz seems excessive to me. Whatever makes you happy.

In the Options window I would set PROCHOT Offset to 5 and I would check the Lock PROCHOT Offset box so this value does not change. Intel CPUs can run reliably up to 100°C. Reducing the maximum temperature to 95°C is not necessary and it can reduce maximum performance.

The laptop has a rather mediocre cooling system.

I disagree. The U series CPUs have a 15W TDP rating. Your laptop seems to have much better cooling compared to similar laptops. Do not be afraid to go faster and hotter.

Have fun playing with ThrottleStop.

 

[zagacao]

Regarding TPL, is it normal to still get the warnings after modifying?

I played around with variations of selected and unselected options. Nothing makes it surpass PL2 of 29W. The logfile is paired with the values from the other screenshot.

I'm sorry, I'm completely new, and I don't really know what each thing does . Is there a very detailed tutorial for each function in ThrottleStop?

 

[unclewebb]

is it normal to still get the warnings after modifying?

Yes it is. There are three unique sets of turbo power limits. ThrottleStop only has access to the MSR and MMIO power limits. It looks like your laptop has set the EC power limit to 29W. That limit is in control of your CPU.

Have a look in the Device Manager for the Intel Dynamic Tuning driver. Removing that driver and blocking Windows from reinstalling it can sometimes help with EC power limit throttling problems. Often times there is nothing you can do. 29W is not so bad. It is a lot better than 15W that some similar laptops lock down to.

Is there a very detailed tutorial for each function in ThrottleStop?

Not really. Do some YouTube searching and start reading the 1400+ ThrottleStop questions that have been answered in this forum. The ThrottleStop download includes a link to a basic guide.

Did you do any undervolting yet? Less voltage is less power consumption so your CPU will be able to run a little faster on its 29W power limit.

 

[zagacao]

Perhaps I should try to disable all of them?

Yes, I have undervolted a bit for now.

 

[unclewebb]

Perhaps I should try to disable all of them?

It never hurts to try. If this driver has already set a 29W power limit you might have to completely remove it. I have zero experience with this driver so do some Google searching to learn more.

I set Power Limit 4 to a value of 0.

I also set IccMax for both the core and the cache to the max, 255.75.

 

[zagacao]

These settings are experimental; I'm just trying to balance the "performance mode" of the laptop. When I purchased this machine as a student, I missed the gaming aspect a lot, haha. All my friends had opted for machines equipped with expensive graphics cards.

1. For now, I'll stick to the 29W limit to see how the system performs in games. Additionally, I wanted to ask if it makes sense to increase TTL > 28? Since I have this limit imposed, at least I don't want it to quickly reach PL1 where it receives 25W. Is it dangerous?
2. For a bit of extra performance, is it okay to uncheck CLamp for PL1? From what I understand, this comes into play when PL1 is reached and "calms down" the frequency?
3. Also, I've set IccMax as you instructed. I assume this involves some extra current to protect the processor from a certain percentage of throttling?
   
   And, in addition, I think I may have overdone the limitation in "Turbo Ratio Limit"; I increased the frequencies. (See 1/2.png)

Small update: Wow, I am satisfied now! For the first time, I was able to play something on this laptop without feeling any active throttling! I'm attaching some pictures below. Unfortunately, it easily reaches 100 degrees. One odd thing: I can't tell if the graphics card doesn't have an active fan or if it's not reading the sensor.
Proooobably 20W are enough for some occasional fun.

 

[unclewebb]

Radeon RX 550X

You can try checking the AMD GPU box in the ThrottleStop Options window. I have not had access to an AMD GPU for the last 10+ years for testing purposes. I do not know if ThrottleStop is able to read the temperature of your Radeon GPU. When you check the AMD GPU box and push OK, it will either work or not work. It should not blow up or crash. If the box gets disabled, that means it does not work.

HWMonitor shows that when your Radeon GPU is not being used, it does not report any temperature or MHz data. That is normal. The Intel GPU does all of the work when sitting at the desktop and the Radeon will go into a low power idle state where the majority of the GPU is turned off.

Your main problem is your laptop is too hot. I guess you are right. Your cooling does suck. After your laptop heat soaks for a while, the temperatures go up and up. It is thermal throttling when power consumption is only 15W. That kills performance. If you ever get adventurous, disassemble your laptop, blow out the dust and consider replacing the thermal paste. Genuine Honeywell PTM 7950 works well when applied direct die to mobile CPUs. Your laptop performance is being limited by poor cooling.

Try setting Power Limit 4 in the TPL window to a value of 0. That might help get rid of the EDP throttling.

All of the various settings in ThrottleStop are not that important until you fix the cooling issues.