Hi all, I was wondering whether it’s better to undervolt a laptop CPU via the Control Centre application that comes preinstalled on PCS laptops or whether better to use a third party application like Throttlestop…or no difference? Does using one show up in the other app or completely independent of each other? Many thanks
Undervolting CPU
- Thread starter Dutchos
- Start date
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
An undervolt is applied at the BIOS level, the software just routes through to the BIOS controls.
I would personally use throttlestop because it gives much better control
But that's IF the CPU supports undervolting, a lot don't now days on laptops.
If an undervolt isn't supported then you'd need to adjust the PL (Power Limit) values in Control Center.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Just additionally, an undervolt should never be applied to correct temps, if the laptop is overheating, and undervolt isn't the answer, you need to get temps under control first before further optimising temps with an undervolt.
Otherwise you're just disguising the issue, and the overheat will eventually catch up and fry the board / CPU
If you haven't serviced it already, you need to be doing so about once a year which includes repasting and removing fans and clearing all dust.
Otherwise you're just disguising the issue, and the overheat will eventually catch up and fry the board / CPU
If you haven't serviced it already, you need to be doing so about once a year which includes repasting and removing fans and clearing all dust.
Interesting, thanks @SpyderTracks . CPU does support undervolting (Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 11800H (2.4GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo) and has run hot out of the box. Understandable given it’s a thin laptop with a fast CPU and GPU (3080) but on your advice, will check how good the pasting is first, clean the fans etc and then if no improvement at all, will try the undevolt route. Thanks again
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Yeah, you're right that chip should be easy to undervolt.
Service is a good idea as a first stage, then you know you're at a clean state to apply a healthy undervolt and just reduce even further.
SpyderTracks
We love you Ukraine
Just additionally, the other tool option you have of course is Intel XTU which a lot of people find more easy to navigate.
Funnily enough I was just looking at a guide for this. Looks a little more user friendly than Throttlestop but will check the basics first as you say before trying to tweak anything via software. Thanks for your help - much appreciated