Undervolting help for newbie - msi vector i9 13980 hx rtx 4080

[SimonZKP]

Hello everybody!

I was wondering if you could help me setup my laptop for work and gaming.

I am new to the undervolting thing and TS but I think it is the only way to resolve my problems.

I have Win11 Home right now, msi center at extreme performance tab(MSI Hybrid), disabled Inter Virtualisation and enabled in BIOS the undervolting possibility.

I allow myself to send you my throttlestop setting for evaluation.

The problem with my laptop was from begining:
- high temperatures - from 60 on idle to over 100 in games - on some games the laptop turns off
- fps downfalls - think it is because thermall throttle

My setting are based mainly on @unclewebb comments through the forum but I am new to this and would be very grateful for your help.

What I suppose to change or add to make my laptop work better.

Sorry for my english but I am polish native

Kind regards
Simon

 

[unclewebb]

Use TS 9.7.2

It has a new FIVR - V/F Point feature. Set V/F Point 1 to 150. Both the Core and the Cache V/F Point windows should look like this.

This can help improve stability. It can also allow you to undervolt the CPU Core and the CPU P Cache in the FIVR window some more. Instead of -125 mV, you might be able to set both of your offset undervolt values to -150 mV. I like using the Windows High Performance power plan. This prevents the CPU from slowing down when it is lightly loaded. This reduces latency and it also allows you to reliably run a bigger undervolt. That helps me use -150 mV for the core and the P cache reliably without any blue screens.

The rest of your settings look good.

To update ThrottleStop, download and unzip the new version. Copy the new ThrottleStop.exe into your ThrottleStop folder. This will allow the new version to use the same voltage and power values that you are using now.

If your temperatures are too high you can reduce the turbo power limits. You can also increase the PROCHOT Offset value. This will tell the CPU to start thermal throttling at a lower temperature. The 260W PL1 and PL2 power values are OK for me when I am outside in cool spring air. I think using 140W to 160W would be better for gaming inside.

 

[SimonZKP]

Thank You so much for answering!

So I made those adjustments You wrote and will test a little bit.

Prochot Offset on 15 and lock would be okay in your opinion?

Last thing I was wondering about options in main window - do I need to change something there?

I am so grateful for help because MSI just f*cked up this laptop with those thermall throttling or maybe they wanted us to make some fried eggs on it?

 

[unclewebb]

fried eggs

Blame Intel for their line up of mobile CPUs that run as hot as the sun. Intel 13th and 1th Gen mobile HX processors are exactly the same as their desktop CPUs. Everyone likes the performance. No one likes the extreme heat. It is nearly impossible for the typical laptop chassis to dissipate all of this heat.

Prochot Offset on 15

The higher you set the offset, the cooler your laptop will run. The only downside is reduced performance. ThrottleStop lets you choose the balance that is right for you.

Your screenshot shows a wide variation in peak core temperatures. Opening your laptop for a spring cleaning and replacing the thermal paste with Honeywell PTM 7950 would be a good idea.

options in main window - do I need to change something there?

Your screenshot cropped off the left side of the main ThrottleStop window. Most of the settings in the main window do not need to be touched.

 

[SimonZKP]

Your screenshot shows a wide variation in peak core temperatures. Opening your laptop for a spring cleaning and replacing the thermal paste with Honeywell PTM 7950 would be a good idea.

I ordered ptm, but I am worried about loosing my guarantee.
I bought my laptop in september 2024, so it still has like 18 months.
Allthough I will consider that.
Thank You for your answers.

 

[kay_]

Hello everybody!

I was wondering if you could help me setup my laptop for work and gaming.

I am new to the undervolting thing and TS but I think it is the only way to resolve my problems.

I have Win11 Home right now, msi center at extreme performance tab(MSI Hybrid), disabled Inter Virtualisation and enabled in BIOS the undervolting possibility.

I allow myself to send you my throttlestop setting for evaluation.

The problem with my laptop was from begining:
- high temperatures - from 60 on idle to over 100 in games - on some games the laptop turns off
- fps downfalls - think it is because thermall throttle

My setting are based mainly on @unclewebb comments through the forum but I am new to this and would be very grateful for your help.

What I suppose to change or add to make my laptop work better.

Sorry for my english but I am polish native

Kind regards
Simon

Hi everybody!

May i ask what specific model your laptop is?

For the last couple days i tried everything i found on this subject to get Throttlestop to work but no matter what i do, it won´t.

I disabled Intel Virtualization, enabled Overclocking Feature in the BIOS and i am even able to set undervolting values inside of Throttlestop, the problem is that they don´t show up in the monitoring chart inside of the FIVR Tab. All offsets still show +0.0000 for every element. And the temps also don´t change in Benchmarks so it clearly doesnt have an effect.

I have a MSI Vector 16HX A14 with an i7 14650HX.

Does anyone have an idea what the problem could be?

Thanks so much in advance!

 

[unclewebb]

MSI Vector 16HX

Does it say Undervolt Protection at the top middle of the FIVR window? Post a screenshot of the FIVR window when you have a question.

Undervolt Protection needs to be disabled in the BIOS if that is the problem.

 

[kay_]

These are my settings. (The Power Limit for PL1 and PL2 is just there cause i cant get temps down with undervolting at the moment).

Yes, it says Undervolt Protection at the top. I havent noticed that yet - i´ll check where i can find that setting in the BIOS.

 

[kay_]

Undervolt Protection needs to be disabled in the BIOS if that is the problem.

Found it in the BIOS and now it works. Thank you so much for the help, i would´ve never noticed that!

 

[unclewebb]

now it works

Good to hear.

Set up V/F Point 1 to 150 for both the Core and the Cache. That will help stabilize your undervolt settings. Scroll up a few posts to see the screenshot I posted.

 

[SimonZKP]

May i ask what specific model your laptop is?

In the first post I attachted my specs

 

[eniva]

I ordered ptm, but I am worried about loosing my guarantee.
I bought my laptop in september 2024, so it still has like 18 months.
Allthough I will consider that.
Thank You for your answers.

Don't be afraid to open your laptop. There are many MSI videos on YouTube that explain how to upgrade components, clean them, and even how to change the thermal paste.
They always point out that opening the computer doesn't void the warranty, even if you break the seal.

I replaced my MSI with PTM, but I didn't get temperatures I liked, so I went for something more extreme using kryoSheet graphene thermal pads.
They improved the temperatures quite a bit but you have to be careful they are conductive sheets and if not installed correctly they can cause significant damage to the CPU.

Best regards.

 

[SimonZKP]

So I ordered honeywell ptm7950 for GPU and CPU, also TG putty for vram.
I have built several PC's before so I think I will handle repasting a laptop

I will post results after completing everything

Thank You all for your replies and help, You are the best guys!

 

[kay_]

So I ordered honeywell ptm7950 for GPU and CPU, also TG putty for vram.
I have built several PC's before so I think I will handle repasting a laptop

I will post results after completing everything

Thank You all for your replies and help, You are the best guys!

I´m super curious on the results. I repasted with MX6 since i had it left over in my drawer and it definitely lowered the temps around 1-2 degrees but i also thought about getting a ptm7950 sheet so i´m definitely interested in your thoughts!

 

[SimonZKP]

Hello again!

So as promised I am back to share my results.

I did change the putty and thermal pastes on CPU, GPU and rest of cooling system in my MSI Vector 16 HX A13VHG - Intel i9 13980 HX with Nvidia rtx 4080.
Before using ThrottleStop and repasting my temperatures were like way above 90' and often resulted in laptop turning off for example when plaing Jagged Alliance 3 or FC25.

As putty I used Thermal Grizzly Putty Pro and instead of thermal paste Honeywell Termopad PTM 7950 0.25mm.

My laptop still set on MSI Center in Extreme Performance mode - Hybrid Graphic mode.
Below I attachted my TT config.

As for results:
- games not crashing my laptop - it did not turn off even once +
- temperatures mostly below 90' even without using cooler boost in MSI Center +

Specific numbers from HWinfo after playing Jagged Alliance 3 for around 30 minutes (no cooler boost):

Core Efective Mhz av./highest 240/1500
Core Clocks Mhz 3500/4400
Core Pack Temp. 74/96
Core MAX Temp. 71/97
Core Thermall Throttle - 9 times
Core Temperature avarage 68/79
RING Thermall Throttle - 9 times
P-Core avarage/highest:
0 - 69/82 - one time thermall throttle
1 - 66/87
2 - 69/80
3 - 66/85 - 3 times TT
4 - 69/92 - 1 time TT
5 - 69/97 - 5 times TT
6 - 68/80
7 - 65/97 - 3 times TT
E-Core:
8- 69/80
9- 69/80
10- 69/80
11- 69/80
12- 68/84
13- 68/84
14- 68/84
15- 68/84
16- 68/77
17- 68/77
18- 68/77
19- 68/77
20- 66/76
21- 66/76
22- 66/76
23- 66/76
No TT found on E-cores
GPU Temp - av.70/highest 80

The most important for me that I can normally play and use my laptop - allthough after two times sending it to MSI service (1st display frame problem, 2nd mainboard failure) I am thinking about asking for refund - after last service they changed the keyboard (new with coopilot button) and now lightning is not working. Only after FN key the f1 to f11 buttons have lighting but it is impossible to turn the whole keyboard light - their help? Send it to the service... When I send it it takes about 10 days to receive back my laptop and always have to reinstall Windows and all of programs...sad. I bought it september 2024 and really thinking to give it back and ask for refund....

Hope my results will help - if you see any interesting things or have some advices for me please share.

 

[kay_]

Thanks so much for the insights, looks like i gotta give PTM 7950 a shot as well.

Sorry to hear all the struggles you've had with the laptop, for the price that's something that'd throw me off too...

and now lightning is not working. Only after FN key the f1 to f11 buttons have lighting but it is impossible to turn the whole keyboard light - their help?

You can change the RGB lighting of the keyboard inside of the pre-installed software called "Steelseries engine". Since you had to manually install windows again you probably need to download that manually aswell. Here's the LINK. Also if i remember correctly, FN+(1-9) launches lighting presets for the keyboard RGB.

 

[A&P211]

If you guys dont know but MSI has advanced bios where you can overclock the ram or enabled ZMP if your ram supports it. In the bios you can also undervolt the processor and adjust ram timings.

 

[SimonZKP]

You can change the RGB lighting of the keyboard inside of the pre-installed software called "Steelseries engine". Since you had to manually install windows again you probably need to download that manually aswell. Here's the LINK. Also if i remember correctly, FN+(1-9) launches lighting presets for the keyboard RGB.

Steelseries, MSI Center does not work neither FN+f8 combination... Only light keyboard gives is when I press FN and then buttons ESC, f1-f11, arrows are lighten. All function buttons works but not keyboard light. They must have messed it up when they changed the keyboard. I am waiting for response as I wrote to them to make me a refund, but I think I have small chances for that.... Probably again 10 days with no gear and reinstaling everything later just to have lighting keyboard again.