Question Intel 13700h undervolting via UEFI modification

[Digital Meow]

Hello everyone!

I'm a new here. Recently I've got a new laptop Lenovo Ideapad 14" with 13700h CPU. I like the laptop, but CPU is very hot and it makes laptop to run fans frequently, even with Turbo Boost disabled. What I've done:
1. Extracting the BIOS into txt file
2. Finding features that are connected to voltage lock and disabling them
3. So I have disabled CFG Lock, UnderVolt Protection, Overclocking Lock and enabled Overclocking Feature

Results: Seems something changed... ThrottleStop has CPU Ratios enabled now (but It doesn't work anyway) and Intel XTU has iGPU amperage enabled, but voltage still isn't available.

Do you have any ideas what could I do? That txt file still have many options I can affect, like Voltage Prefix for each core, but I'm afraid to change them through BIOS because it can brick my laptop.

If someone has succeded on this I would be happy to know!

 

[uWebb429]

@Digital Meow

I have not heard of anyone with a 12th Gen or newer mobile H series CPU that has found a way to unlock CPU voltage control. Intel has removed that useful feature from these CPUs. At the moment, only the mobile HX processors still allow undervolting.

Can you post a screenshot of the FIVR window? In theory the turbo ratios should work if you have unlocked them. You will not be able to increase the turbo ratios beyond the default max but you should be able to decrease them to control the maximum CPU speed. Does that work?

When the Turbo Ratios are locked or do not work, try lowering the Speed Shift Max value in the TPL window to control the maximum CPU speed.

I'm afraid to change them through BIOS because it can brick my laptop.

This is what prevents most people from trying everything possible to get this to work. It is possible that Intel did a physical modification on the assembly line to prevent voltage control from ever being unlocked. It could also be a hidden setting that you cannot access even with a fully unlocked BIOS. I hope you can figure this out but realistically, probably not. Intel is very good at hiding their secrets. It is not worth bricking your laptop trying to figure this out.

 

[Digital Meow]

Hey @uWebb429 !

Well, I checked again does unlocked setting work or not... And seems it does But it works wierdly, firstly, look at the 8 P-cores (13700h has just 6).

https://imgur.com/a/52DQJVU

Also, seems it limits frequency for all cores, including E-cores (during multi-core and single-core cinebench). Setting E-cores doesn't seem to work anyway.

But you're right! I guess, I should come to peace with impossibility to undervolt, despite it could turn the laptop into a dream. Also because the laptop isn't so noisy... With TurboBoost disabled it works fine and mostly quiet. I think, I'll back all those UEFI settings I changed... But hey, Intel, if you hear me, I promise, I won't ever buy any product from you. Such attitude to users is unnaceptable.

Thank you for detailed answer!

 

[uWebb429]

The turbo ratios register has room to store 8 unique values. When a CPU like the 13700H only has 6 P cores, the last two values in the turbo ratio register will likely be ignored.

seems it limits frequency for all cores

There is probably some limitation that you cannot run the E cores faster than the P cores.

Someone at Intel noticed that undervolting is popular so they decided to start charging for this feature. Now you have to buy the more expensive HX processors if you want to undervolt. No different than any other cheesy company. Maximizing profits is more important to Intel than satisfied enthusiast customers.

Intel, if you hear me, I promise, I won't ever buy any product from you

Using your wallet is the best way to tell a company that you are not happy. The laptop industry is a mess because too many customers do not return half baked products.

The first person to solve the mystery of undervolting H series processors will be a hero.

 

[Digital Meow]

@uWebb429

There is probably some limitation that you cannot run the E cores faster than the P cores.

When I set, for example, 3200 for P-Cores, they run at 3.2 ghz, and when set 2000 for E-cores, they run at 3200 too.

Someone at Intel noticed that undervolting is popular so they decided to start charging for this feature. Now you have to buy the more expensive HX processors if you want to undervolt. No different than any other cheesy company.

Don't you think that Intel were too cheesy for too long? They made almost equal CPUs for years... i7 2600 (especially 2600k) was actual for 5-6 years, because there were tiny difference untill 7-8 gen release. Untill AMD released Ryzen, Intel were making fun out of customers (same as now).

AMD were outsiders for too long. Now they make so good CPUs and techonolgies avialable for everyone (like FreeSync, FSR, etc... It's not good as DLSS/Gsync, but its for everyone). 7840hs is a dream, and I'm sad I didn't buy one (but probably I will exchange).

Ye, it's just market and the competetion is the key for best products, but anyway... Intel, I don't like you.