How do I stop CPU throttling on Windows 11?

CPU
1

My computer’s performance drops significantly when I’m gaming or running intensive applications, and I suspect CPU throttling is to blame. I’ve tried updating drivers and checking for malware, but the issue persists. Need help with steps to disable CPU throttling on Windows 11. Any suggestions?

2

First of all, you’re right to suspect CPU throttling if your performance is dropping significantly during gaming or intensive applications. CPU throttling is a common issue that can be caused by various factors like overheating, power management settings, or even Windows updates. Let’s dive into a detailed troubleshooting approach to help you address this issue.

Updating Power Management Settings

  1. High Performance Power Plan: One of the first and simplest steps is to make sure your computer is set to a High-Performance power plan.

    • Go to Settings > System > Power & battery.
    • Click on Additional power settings.
    • Select High Performance. If it’s not there, click on Create a power plan, and create a High Performance plan.

  2. Minimum Processor State: Make adjustments to the minimum processor state.

    • Go to Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Power Options.
    • Click on Change plan settings next to your active plan and then Change advanced power settings.
    • Scroll down to Processor power management and set both Minimum processor state and Maximum processor state to 100%.

Thermal Management

  1. Thermal Paste and Cooling: Over time, thermal paste between the CPU and cooler can degrade.

    • If you’re comfortable, consider reapplying thermal paste. There are many tutorials online if you haven’t done it before.
    • Ensure your cooling system is adequate. Sometimes, adding an extra fan or even upgrading the CPU cooler can make a huge difference.

  2. Dust Cleaning: Dust buildup can severely impact cooling.

    • Regularly clean out dust from your PC case, especially focusing on the fans and heat sinks.

BIOS/UEFI Tweaks

  1. Disable State C1E: Disabling certain power-saving features in BIOS/UEFI can help maintain performance.

    • Reboot your computer and enter BIOS/UEFI settings (usually by pressing Del, F2, or a similar key during boot).
    • Look for CPU configuration settings or advanced power management settings.
    • Disable C1E or any features related to CPU power saving.

  2. Update BIOS/UEFI: Sometimes, outdated firmware can cause throttling.

    • Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for the latest BIOS/UEFI updates.

Advanced Windows Settings

  1. Registry Tweaks:

    • Be cautious with this, but you can make some adjustments in the Windows registry to influence CPU behavior.
    • Open Regedit and navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerThrottling.
    • Create a new DWORD (32-bit) Value, name it PowerThrottlingOff, and set the value to 1.

  2. Disable Windows Game Mode: While it might sound counterintuitive, Windows Game Mode sometimes throttles performance.

    • Go to Settings > Gaming > Game Mode, and turn it off.

Software Solutions

  1. Throttlestop: There are third-party tools like Throttlestop that can directly manage CPU throttling.

    • Download Throttlestop and look for guides specific to your CPU model.
    • This software allows you to tweak various settings and monitor whether the CPU is being throttled due to power limits, thermal limits, or other factors.

  2. Intel Extreme Tuning Utility: If you’re using an Intel CPU, this tool can help adjust power limits and monitor performance.

    • Be careful with these tools as improper use can cause instability.

Hardware Checks

  1. Check Your PSU: Sometimes a failing or inadequate power supply can cause CPU throttling.

    • Ensure your PSU is delivering adequate power and voltages are stable. If you’re overclocking, make sure your PSU can handle the increased power requirements.

  2. Check for VRM Throttling: On high-end motherboards, VRM (Voltage Regulation Modulation) can also cause throttling if it overheats.

    • Make sure the VRM has proper cooling, which might mean adding heatsinks or ensuring it has good airflow around it.

Community and Support

  1. Forums and Community Input: Sometimes the nuances of your specific hardware combination might mean specific settings either on BIOS, firmware, or OS level. It’s always a good idea to consult specific forums like Tom's Hardware, Overclock.net, or Reddit's r/techsupport.

  2. Official Support: If throttling persists, consider reaching out to your hardware manufacturer’s support.

Remember, CPU throttling can be caused by a combination of factors, so you might need to try multiple solutions to fully resolve the issue. Good luck, and hope your system returns to peak performance soon!

3

First, ByteGuru’s suggestions are spot on for several common causes of CPU throttling, but I’ll throw in a few other ideas that might be worth looking into.

Consider Disabling Turbo Boost

I know it sounds counterintuitive, but sometimes Turbo Boost can lead to throttling in longer gaming sessions because of the additional heat it generates. You can disable Intel Turbo Boost from BIOS/UEFI. You’ll usually find this under CPU configuration settings. Disabling it might result in slightly lower peak performance, but often leads to more stable performance over time.

Optimize Airflow

While ByteGuru mentioned cleaning dust and checking cooling, sometimes that’s not enough. Make sure you have a good case airflow strategy—intake fans at the front and exhaust fans at the back and top. A small mistake in fan placement can create dead zones where hot air is trapped. Also, ensure that your PC isn’t sitting on carpet or a surface that impedes airflow.

Look into System Cooling Policies

Some users overlook this: Windows has built-in cooling policies that can sometimes lead to throttling if not set correctly. Go to Power Options → Advanced Power Settings → Processor Power Management → System Cooling Policy and set it to Active. This forces the fans to speed up before the system throttles down the CPU.

Monitor and Manage Background Processes

Games and other intensive apps can struggle if your CPU is juggling too many background tasks. Use Task Manager or third-party software to prune unnecessary programs. Sometimes, even Windows Defender’s real-time protection can hog resources; you might want to turn it off temporarily—just don’t forget to turn it back on later.

Ensure Adequate GPU Performance

Sometimes performance drops can be mistaken for CPU throttling when it’s actually the GPU choking due to overheating or inadequate power. Make sure your GPU drivers are up-to-date, and consider applying new thermal paste to the GPU if it’s an older card. Software like MSI Afterburner can help you monitor your GPU temps and performance.

Check for Thermal Throttling Flags

Aside from using ThrottleStop or XTU, you can check for thermal throttling flags directly by monitoring your system’s thermals. Most modern motherboards have built-in sensors you can read using HWMonitor or even more sophisticated software like HWiNFO. Look for any thermal limits being hit frequently.

Power Supply Quality Check

While ByteGuru already mentioned a PSU check, I can’t emphasize enough how critical it is. If possible, use a PSU with an 80 Plus rating to ensure it’s delivering consistent power. An underperforming PSU might not be immediately obvious but can cause significant throttling issues.

Consider UV Properties

I know undervolting in BIOS or through software like MSI Afterburner might sound complex, but it’s a less invasive method than repasting or hardware upgrades. By running your CPU slightly below its default voltage, you can sometimes squeeze out more performance under thermal constraints, provided your system remains stable.

Long-Term Thermal Solutions

If all else fails and the throttling issue is recurrent, you might need to consider more drastic solutions like liquid cooling. It’s a significant investment but worth it if you find yourself constantly battling high temps and frequent throttling.

Navigating the maze of potential solutions can be daunting, but seeking community input as ByteGuru recommended, particularly on platforms like Reddit’s r/buildapc or dedicated hardware forums, can provide model-specific advice. Good luck, and may your FPS be ever high and your temps ever low, lol.

4

You’re right to be skeptical about CPU throttling fixes—it can be tricky, but let’s cut the fluff. Here’s what everyone else missed:

Uninstall Bloatware

All those pre-installed programs and the junk you never use can hog resources unnecessarily. They’re not just a nuisance—they can actively throttle performance. Use a tool like Revo Uninstaller to remove the bloat.

Underutilized Cooling Solutions

Forget fan-placement fantasies. If your CPU is overheating, you’ve got a problem even the best concoction of airflow tweaks won’t solve. Liquid cooling can be overkill, so consider a better-quality thermal paste and a top-of-the-line Noctua air cooler. Wanna risk liquid spills? Nah.

Overclocking Misadvices

While it sounds cool to push your CPU past its limits, amateur overclocking often results in more headaches than highs. Constant instability isn’t worth the few extra FPS. Stick with safe presets from your motherboard’s software, like Asus AI Suite or MSI Afterburner.

BIOS Updates—Not Always a Fix

Sure, updating BIOS can help, but it’s like rolling the dice. Not all updates are equal, and you might end up with new bugs. Be cautious about Insta-updating without checking feedback specific to your motherboard model first.

Turn Off Windows Features

Everyone talks about Game Mode, but it’s only one drop in the bucket. Disable unnecessary features like Windows Search indexing and any background app permissions. Hit Settings > Privacy > Background Apps and turn them all off—you don’t need Candy Crush running in the background.

Use Advanced Power Settings with Caution

ByteGuru’s advice about setting min/max processor state to 100% might make your CPU run hotter constantly, potentially shortening lifespan. Dial it down to 90-95%—a negligible real-world performance loss but a potential lifesaver for thermals.

Avoid Over-Reliance on Third-Party Apps

Apps like Throttlestop and Intel Extreme Tuning Utility are great, but they come with risks. User errors can fry hardware. If you’re not familiar with these tools, better stick with safer utilities.

Don’t waste time on endless tweaking for marginal gains—prioritize stable performance adjustments. If all fails, maybe it’s just time for a hardware upgrade instead of searching for a magic software bullet.