Question CPU maxing out around 0.40 GHz

[paddyvipond]

Hey folks,

(I assume this is the right place to drop this question, but apologies if not)

I have been suffering with this problem a few weeks now and cannot find an explanation or a solution. A "techy" friend on TeamViewer was unable to, as was my local laptop repair shop.

My laptop has been almost unusable for a few weeks now, unable to open multiple tabs, run multiple programs, and impossible to take video calls over Teams/Zoom/GoogleMeets/etc.

My CPU is also running very low. It rarely climbs above 10% and when I really need it to do things (load pages, download, open programs), it runs even slower. It seems to be self-limiting to 0.4GHz and won't budge from there, meaning everything I try and work on is in slow motion.

It makes no difference if the laptop is plugged in or not, I have changed the Min power settings, I have ensured nothing is on battery saver, I have downloaded all the latest updates from both Windows and Samsung, and most recently I have tried a factory reset and that hasn't fixed it. I have a Samsung laptop running Windows 11.

I did a diagnostics of my machine and this is what I got back: https://userdiag.com/id/HA8G3EE8eB
The graphics and graphics driver are highlighted as an obvious problem, but if you look at the Processor, you can see the "self-limiting" that my machine seems to be resorting to as well.

I'd really appreciate some help and advice on this, as I really don't know what to do.

Thanks

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Can you get into BIOS and see if your processor's clock speeds are as they should be? If so, then the issue is your OS. Can you check and see if your laptop is pending any BIOS updates?

I have tried a factory reset
I doubt it but perhaps the laptop might need an RMA if a BIOS update/OS reinstall doesn't alleviate the issue. Recreate your bootable USB installer for Windows 11, backup all mission critical information, then reinstall the OS in offline mode;

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_GuFH9KdHC0

Once complete, install all drivers in an elevated command.

 

[uWebb429]

@paddyvipond
Post a screenshot of the ThrottleStop Limit Reasons window. I am guessing that your computer has a BD PROCHOT throttling problem. This is the most likely reason your CPU is stuck at its minimum speed. One bad sensor on the motherboard or elsewhere can cause this.

https://www.techpowerup.com/download/techpowerup-throttlestop/

 

[Misgar]

It makes no difference if the laptop is plugged in or not

I had a similar problem when I inherited a Lenovo laptop with two seemingly identical PSUs. Both PSUs were capable of charging the battery, but one of them restricted the CPU speed when plugged in.

With the bad PSU, the CPU worked at full speed when running on battery, but dropped to 800MHz with the PSU connected. The other PSU worked fine and the CPU ran at full speed. Both PSUs were identical genuine Lenovo units.

I suspect a "sensing" resistor had failed in the yellow plug on the end of the Lenovo PSU cable (just a guess on my part based on resistance measurements). I think the BIOS was detecting a PSU with a lower power rating than normal, so it limited the CPU to 800MHz and proceeded to charge the battery. Bizarre.

I have a Samsung laptop running Windows 11.

At this point I'd be tempted to open up the laptop, remove the SSD, fit an new one and install a different OS, e.g. Windows 10 or Linux. It doesn't have to be a high capacity SSD. Anything will do. If the problem disappears, it's likely a Windows 11 driver. If the problem persists, it's probably a hardware fault.

If Windows 10 or Linux work (after updating their drivers), wipe the test SSD and install a fresh copy of Windows 11. Update the drivers and see what happens.

You could also check whilst you're inside if the heatsink is firmly attached to the CPU and not flapping about loose, due to a missing screw. There's also a chance the TIM (thermal interface material) between the CPU and the copper heatsink has dried out and turned to dust, leaving the CPU without adequate cooling.

I see your test results show min/max CPU temperatures of 61°C to 72°C which seems a bit high if the processor has not exceeded 14%, but not that unusual if it's hit 100%.

Download a copy of CPUID HWMonitor and check the Min and Max CPU temperatures and Min and Max CPU Clock speeds (in MHz). You can also monitor CPU power.
https://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

I've just checked an old Dell laptop and the i5-7200U has been running over the range +28°C to +51°C, at power levels between 0.71W and 14.16W (idling and startup). Your temperatures are significantly higher and both of our CPUs are rated at the same 100°C (junction) maximum.

Check your cooling. You might need to repaste the CPU.