CPU frequency drops while gaming after some time (no temperature issue) MBP 16

Question

Level 1

8 points

CPU frequency drops while gaming after some time (no temperature issue) MBP 16

Hi all,

I'm facing a strange problem while gaming on bootcamp (Windows 10 with all latest updates) with my MBP 16" i7 base model.

After some time (like 1-2hrs) gaming with no issue, fps drop to 10-12 and decay gradually to 1-3! After doing some tests, i found out that the fps drop is caused by the CPU which. for no clear reason, drops its frequency from 2.6 ghz to 1.0-1.2 (10 fps), and then further to 0.4 ghz (1-3 fps).

I state in the title that is not correlated to temperature because I constantly monitor temps trough SMCfancontrol and are always in a safe range, both CPU and GPU between 62-70 degrees, and when the frequency drops, temps drop accordingly.

The CPU drop is the only issue, GPU constantly work at 80-100%.

I've always played on this MBP since i got it, and it's been just the last month that i face this problem.

To give you further infos, the only tweak i use for gaming other than SMCfancontrol is Throttlestop with the only setting of "Disable Turbo" so that the CPU never goes above 2.6 ghz, keeping temps low. I didn't install Bootcampdrivers for the GPU.

Hope someone can help with this, I really can't figure out a solution. Thanks :)

MacBook Pro 16″, macOS 11.4

Posted on May 30, 2021 7:52 AM

Reply

Answer 1

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 30, 2021 8:01 AM in response to Alfabaco

What is the GPU in your Model? See MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019) - Technical Specifications for reference.

What is the current AMD driver version?

Reply

Answer 2

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 30, 2021 8:19 AM in response to Alfabaco

Can you check Windows Update history and find out which updates have been applied since your noticed the issues?

Reply

Answer 3

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 30, 2021 9:09 AM in response to Alfabaco

The 20H2 and 21H1 updates seem to be fine. Security Updates should not be a factor. in macOS, using BC Assistant, click on Action -> Download and check if the version offered in Bootcamp.xml is older or newer.

The last time I looked at it, this is what I had for a MacBookPro 16,1...

<ProductManufacturer>Apple Inc.</ProductManufacturer>
<ProductVersion>6.1.7748</ProductVersion>
<ProductCode>{FCFFE6B6-BAE8-490E-88D0-097A9DA1C43D}</ProductCode>

and the AMD version was...

<Name> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc." Display Driver
				<InfName>C0348578.inf</InfName>
				<Class>Display</Class>
				<ClassGUID>{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}</ClassGUID>
				<CatalogFile>C0348578.CAT</CatalogFile>
				<Provider> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc."</Provider>
				<DriverVer>11/13/2019, 26.20.13003.5002</DriverVer>
				<ServiceBinary>B348746\atikmdag.sys</ServiceBinary>
				<HardwareID></HardwareID>
				<isX64>yes</isX64>
			</Name>
			<Name> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc." Display Driver
				<InfName>U0348578.inf</InfName>
				<Class>Display</Class>
				<ClassGUID>{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}</ClassGUID>
				<CatalogFile>U0348578.CAT</CatalogFile>
				<Provider> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc."</Provider>
				<DriverVer>11/13/2019, 26.20.13003.5002</DriverVer>
				<ServiceBinary>B348746\atikmdag.sys</ServiceBinary>
				<HardwareID></HardwareID>
				<isX64>yes</isX64>

Reply

Answer 4

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 8:44 AM in response to Alfabaco

Sorry, that one was missing from Other updates:

2021-02 preview of cumulative update .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for Windows 10 version 20H2 for x64 (KB4601554)

Reply

Answer 5

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 2:02 PM in response to Loner T

Plus, I just saw from the link you posted, that the drivers are for a different GPU: Radeon RX 5300M, despite my card is a Radeon Pro 5300M.

Reply

Answer 6

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 8:10 AM in response to Loner T

Hi, my GPU model is the Radeon Pro 5300M, and the AMD drivers for it is the 20.10 version, the latest, although dated 10/06/2020 as you can see: https://www.amd.com/en/support/kb/release-notes/apple-boot-camp

Reply

Answer 7

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 8:42 AM in response to Loner T

Sure, here's the Win update history:

Functionalities update:

Windows 10, versione 21H1 - updated on may 27th 2021

Qualitative updates:

2021/05 Cumulative update Windows 10 20H2 for x64 based systems (KB5003173) - updated on may 22nd 2021

2021/03 Cumulative update Windows 10 20H2 for x64 based systems (KB4023057) - updated on may 2nd 2021

2021/04 Cumulative update Windows 10 20H2 for x64 based systems (KB5000802) - updated on april 24th 2021

Driver updates:

Apple Inc - System - 6.1.7800.11 - updated on may 27th 2021

INTEL - System - 10/03/2016 12:00 AM - 10.1.1.38 - updated on may 8th 2021

Intel Corporation - System - 10/08/2018 12:00 AM - 30.100.1841.2 - updated on may 8th 2021

Other updates:

2021-05 preview of cumulative update .NET Framework 3.5 and 4.8 for WIndows 10 version 20H2 fo x64 (KB5003254) - updated on may 27th 2021

2021-04 Cumulative update for Windows 10 version 20H2 for x64 based systems (KB5001391) - updated on may 2nd 2021

2021-01 Update for Windows 10 Version 20H2 for x64 based systems (KB4589212) - updated on april 25th 2021

I kept security updates out of this list, let me know if you think they might be useful too.

Thank you!

Reply

Answer 8

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 9:21 AM in response to Loner T

Just did what you said, and that's the result for Macbook Pro 16:

<ProductManufacturer>Apple Inc.</ProductManufacturer>

<ProductCode>{FCFFE6B6-BAE8-490E-88D0-097A9DA1C43D}</ProductCode>

and the AMD version:

<Name> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc." Display Driver

<Class>Display</Class>

<Provider> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc."</Provider>

<ServiceBinary>B348746\atikmdag.sys</ServiceBinary>

</Name>

<Name> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc." Display Driver

<Class>Display</Class>

<Provider> "Advanced Micro Devices, Inc."</Provider>

<ServiceBinary>B348746\atikmdag.sys</ServiceBinary>

They match perfectly with the ones you posted

Reply

Answer 9

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 30, 2021 1:36 PM in response to Alfabaco

AMD version numbering is not very consistent.

From BC drivers list - 11/13/2019, 26.20.13003.5002
From AMD's website (based on your reference) - 20.10 version, the latest, although dated 10/06/2020

You may want to specifically check the version by right-clicking on the 5300M in Windows Device Manager -> Display Adapters -> Properties.

From https://www.catalog.update.microsoft.com/Search.aspx?q=AMD%205300m,

Reply

Answer 10

Loner T

Level 9

59,536 points

May 30, 2021 7:47 PM in response to Alfabaco

Can you check the PID/VID of the GPU of your device? Here is an example for a Network card.

From the link....

Company: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Driver Manufacturer: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Driver Class: Video

Driver Model: AMD RadeonT RX 5300M

Driver Provider: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.

Version: 26.20.13031.1002

Version Date: 10/16/2019

More information:

http://sysdev.microsoft.com/support/default.aspx

Support Url: n/a

pci\ven_1002&dev_15d8&subsys_12a51462&rev_c1
pci\ven_1002&dev_15d8&subsys_12a51462&rev_c2
pci\ven_1002&dev_7340&subsys_12a51462&rev_c1
pci\ven_1002&dev_7340&subsys_12a51462&rev_c3

Reply

Answer 11

Alfabaco Author

Level 1

8 points

May 30, 2021 1:57 PM in response to Loner T

From Windows Device Manager I can see that GPU drivers are: 26.20.13003.5002; dated 13/11/2019.

If I ask to update drivers it tells that they're already up to date.

Reply

CPU frequency drops while gaming after some time (no temperature issue) MBP 16

Similar questions