Question i7-10870H CPU thermal throttling ?

[Para7]

Laptop Model: Acer Predator Helios 300 (315-53)
i7‑10870H
RTX 3060

Since a recent repair, the CPU exhibits extreme thermal throttling—even at idle. The GPU performs normally in benchmarks, but CPU tests (like Cinebench and TSbench) show heavy throttling and cinebench multi score gives a score of 400 which is quite low for my CPU.

In ThrottleStop Limit window: “EDP Other” warning under the Ring column continues to flash, along with multiple yellow/red flags for core and ring under light to heavy load. Upon stress the PL2 warnings also start flashing for core, gpu and ring under TS Limits.
HWiNFO logs also shows thermal throttling for both CPU and Ring domains.

Steps tried so far:

• Checked and restored BIOS to latest version (original version from repair).
• Reset Windows and Acer PredatorSense configurations.
• Tried limiting CPU turbo via Windows power settings (99 % cap), with negligible effect.
• Cleaned out fans and vents; no dust blockages detected.
• Reapplied thermal paste and reseated heatsink properly.

Are there firmware or EC settings that could have been modified during repair, enforcing a lower PL1/PL2 power limit or PROCHOT offset, causing excessively early throttling—even when idle? What steps can I take to check and alter the power limit?

I haven't meddled with TPL settings in throttle-stop but the PL1 and PL2 values are respectively 70 and 107, with turbo time limit of 56.

What could be the cause of such severe throttling and how to fix this?

https://flic.kr/ps/46DeQ4

 

[Lutfij]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Since a recent repair
Can yo elaborate what this repair was on your laptop?

Can you pass on an image of FIVR's options?

 

[Para7]

Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

Since a recent repair
Can yo elaborate what this repair was on your laptop?

Can you pass on an image of FIVR's options?

Thanks a lot!

Yes, it had a no power issue post which the service center recommended a motherboard replacement. The laptop is out of warranty so the replacement would have cost me almost 90% of laptop's total value so I took it to a chip level repair shop and they fixed the issue.

Upon inquiring, the technician told me that they had to replace a blown component. Likely a mosfet. Post that, I ran two benchmarks cpuz-id and furmark for cpu and gpu respectively and they seemed normal.

Sure, I am sharing the image of FIVR's options.

https://imgur.com/OymhUtv

View: https://imgur.com/OymhUtv

 

[Lutfij]

What happens when all values are set to defaults?

If your temps don't change with any manipulation of those sliders for your undervolt(which should be for CPU vcore, cache, iGPU and discrete GPU) then I'm assuming the tech repair guy ran a wire from point A to point B which would lend my assumption of why your processor's running hot. I say so since I've had laptops come in for diagnosis, only to disassemble and notice that some things were hardwired to pump power, button it up and tell the customer hey, look, it works!

If we're to believe the repair guy, was a like for like component used to replace the blown part?

To add, I know that an unervolt on that processor you have should be anywhere around -80 and -100 as a generalized range, how are you double that? Was it like that from your first undervolt?

 

[Para7]

What happens when all values are set to defaults?

If your temps don't change with any manipulation of those sliders for your undervolt(which should be for CPU vcore, cache, iGPU and discrete GPU) then I'm assuming the tech repair guy ran a wire from point A to point B which would lend my assumption of why your processor's running hot. I say so since I've had laptops come in for diagnosis, only to disassemble and notice that some things were hardwired to pump power, button it up and tell the customer hey, look, it works!

If we're to believe the repair guy, was a like for like component used to replace the blown part?

To add, I know that an unervolt on that processor you have should be anywhere around -80 and -100 as a generalized range, how are you double that? Was it like that from your first undervolt?

Once again, thanks for responding. I'm grateful for all the help.

No, without the undervolt my temps were reaching 90°C-95°C immediately under light load. Before the repair, when my PC didn't have any issues, it was around -110mv for cpu core and I think -75mv for cache. But I tried the same voltages after repair and my PC was thermal throttling under load, edp other/thermal/pl1 and pl2 warnings were blinking red and yellow under limit reasons for cpu/core and gpu.

So, I decided to undervolt it further to keep the temps down and that did help out in keeping the temps low. So yes, the temps for the cores definitely change with manipulation of voltage. I am also surprised that it was stable at double the range but that's the max it can go, anything above it and I get BSOD under load.

When I took it for repair, I had pretty much given hope and it wasn't an authorized service center. The repair guy seemed knowledgeable to an extent. Regardless, it was a last ditch attempt to see if my laptop could still survive and his explanation while not quite detailed highlighted towards replacement of a particular small part from the motherboard, it could have been a mosfet or a capacitor is my guess. But honestly, it could have been any kind of repair to ensure the power delivery through the motherboard and I wouldn't know!

Upon facing this issue, I called the repair guy and he mentioned that he didn't replace the thermal pads/paste on the VRM area and maybe that could be the cause. And gave me bunch of troubleshooting steps that I had already tried like flashing the bios and rolling back to other versions of OS. None that helped. Maybe I should open the laptop once and check out heatsink and motherboard/vrm area to see if it needs thermal repasting?

 

[Lutfij]

Maybe I should open the laptop once and check out heatsink and motherboard/vrm area to see if it needs thermal repasting?
Nothing stopping you, now is it? Make sure you're using high quality thermal paste and pads. Besides that make sure the vents are all clear of dust and debris and lastly, your undervolts shouldn't just be CPU core and CPU cache. Undervolt by 50mv on iGPU and the look into undervotling your mobile RTX3060.

Considering the cooling assembly in your laptop is a unified system, undervolting both heat dumping parts would net you better results overall.

Good luck!