CPU clocks down on low-FPS games

[boeing186]

So my fairly new laptop is having issues running some games - specifically Auto Club Revolution and Euro Truck Simulator 2. Whenever I open these games, my CPU IMMEDIATELY drops from 2.1 GHz to 1.57 GHz and my FPS is around 12-17 but when I close the game, my CPU clocks back up. Please help!

Specs:
CPU = AMD A10-5745M quad-core 2.1 GHz max (2.9 GHz max. turbo) 8 MB L2 Cache
GPU = AMD Radeon HD 8610G 1300 MHz max (I set it at 900 MHz)
8 GB of RAM
1 TB Hard Drive
Windows 8.1

Note: I am not opening both games at once. Just one is open at a time

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

have you tried raising the clocks on the gpu so it aleviates the draw from the cpu? apus have the gpu inside the processor chip itself not like a dedicated card so it is probably struggling to render in the gpu.

 

[boeing186]

have you tried raising the clocks on the gpu so it aleviates the draw from the cpu? apus have the gpu inside the processor chip itself not like a dedicated card so it is probably struggling to render in the gpu.

Yes I've tried that but for some reason, it makes my CPU even slower. It drops down to 0.8 GHz

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

try the lowest settings on the games and monitor the cpus clocks let me know if the cpu doesnt go down as much or if it doesnt go down at all.

 

[boeing186]

It's still the same. For Auto Club Revolution I can't quite change the graphics so I just tried it with ETS2

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

what are the temps on your cpu, it might be throttling due to poor cooling, try to elevate it by placing the lap top on the edges of 2 books or similar objects with an inch of clearance underneath the laptop and let me know if your cpu stops throttling

 

[boeing186]

118F on moderate use, 100 on idle, and 130-140 after gameplay

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

oooh yea that is pretty high suprised it is shutting off i am 95% sure that this is your problem. did you try elevating it to see if that helped with the temps/cpu clocks. we need to determine if it is just a ventilation issue or cpu heatsink issue.

 

[boeing186]

I can try elevating it right now. I tried it before but that didn't really work but I think I did it wrong. What should I do if that doesn't work?

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

if that doesnt work most likely your stock thermal paste has degraded, you will need to buy some thermal paste(i suggest mx-4 as it doesnt have a cure time) and a small philips head screw driver ***NOT MAGNETIC TIP*** you will need to take off the the bottom of the laptop and then take off the heatsink to your cpu and apply the thermal paste.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-hNgFNH7zhQ
this is a video of how to properly apply even though it is on a desktop but it is the same concept
then you put everything back together and i like to leave it run for 5 to 6 hours to get proper adhesion
alternitivaley you can call around to local computer shops if you do not feel confident in doing this procedure but the will most likely charge you 50 dollars or more to do a 15 minute process.
if you dont want to do either you could go with a laptop cooler pad but with temps as high as what they are i dont think it will help much.

 

[boeing186]

Ok. I'll try that. The book technique is kinda working. Thanks a lot Bad_Kitty13!! You've been very helpful!!

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

if the book technique you could try to get a laptop cooler and try that a good one is aroun 30/35 dollars
this one is 38 dollars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834992913
it has best airflow for all lapto under venting
this combined with the re application of thermal paste will significantly reduce your temps
fyi you can use the thermal paste technique to fix consoles that are out of warranty to fix ring of death(xbox) or yellowpower lights(ps3). so if you do the application well you can also make a little cash on the side with your new found knowledge

 

[boeing186]

if the book technique you could try to get a laptop cooler and try that a good one is aroun 30/35 dollars
this one is 38 dollars http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834992913
it has best airflow for all lapto under venting
this combined with the re application of thermal paste will significantly reduce your temps
fyi you can use the thermal paste technique to fix consoles that are out of warranty to fix ring of death(xbox) or yellowpower lights(ps3). so if you do the application well you can also make a little cash on the side with your new found knowledge

Awesome! Thanks again!

 

[Bad_Kitty13]

no probs glad to help