Laptop CPU Thermal throttling issue

[Crispy01]

Hi,

I bought a laptop from here a few weeks back (specs below), however I have been having some issues with it.

Specifically, the CPU is reaching 90+ degrees almost immediately after launching almost any program, and subsequently throttling itself pretty hard. It never stays close to the top boosted clock speed which is fine, but it continuously drops over a short time, to about 3.2GHz after launching a game, and usually settling to just below 2.1GHz after about an hour of play.
When playing games, this comes with a very unstable frame rate, usually fairly rapidly varying in about a 15-20fps range, and rarely staying at the 60fps or above marks. This is making it very difficult to play a game without stuttering and issues.

I have a laptop stand, with ventilation that keeps it about half a foot above any surface while using it, so I don't think my set up itself is an issue. I have tried undervolting, but the limit for this CPU seems to be -50mv, anything lower causing crashes, but this seems to have either a negligible effect or no effect at all on the temps.

For reference, my GPU tends to never go above 70% usage on the games I'm having issues with, and the temperature has never gone above 80c on the GPU either, even during the local heatwave last week, usually staying around the 75c mark, or lower.

I was wondering if this issue is because I'm an idiot and didn't take this into consideration when buying (very possible, I have a blind spot when it comes to hardware), or if this is indicative of some kind of fault?
Also, minor issue, but the keyboard back lights won't stay on for more than an hour. They are off by default unless I turn them on manually in Startup, but will switch off during use and can't be switched on again until I reset. Unsure if related but thought I'd mention it.

These are issues since day one of having it so I don't think it has anything to do with degradation of the thermal paste or anything.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 165Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1440)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 Eight Core Processor 11800H (2.3GHz, 4.6GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
16GB Corsair 2666MHz SODIMM DDR4 (2 x 8GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3500MB/sR | 2500MB/sW)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
256GB PCS PCIe M.2 SSD (2000 MB/R, 1100 MB/W)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Ionico Series Integrated 91WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
ARCTIC MX-4 EXTREME THERMAL CONDUCTIVITY COMPOUND
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6E AX210 (2.4 Gbps) + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO 17 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 1MP HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

 

[Scott]

It definitely sounds like it's not running correctly. Dropping down to such low frequencies suggests that there's a cooling problem.

With that being said, I would recommend returning the laptop and getting some advice regardless. The spec is not well balanced or considered at all IMO. Always best to get advice before hitting the ole buy button

 

[Crispy01]

It definitely sounds like it's not running correctly. Dropping down to such low frequencies suggests that there's a cooling problem.

With that being said, I would recommend returning the laptop and getting some advice regardless. The spec is not well balanced or considered at all IMO. Always best to get advice before hitting the ole buy button

Thanks for the response. Yeah I did ask for some advice from family and friends, but every response I got was some variation of "I don't know about laptops. Get a desktop instead", but desktop isn't an option.
It never occurred to me to ask publically.

I think I will return it to see if there's any hardware issues.
In the meantime, could you elaborate a little on what you mean by not balanced? Apart from the RAM size and the GPU, I went for some of the highest spec parts I could for this build, and if I've cocked it up I'd like to have a bit of a direction provided so I don't make the same mistakes again

 

[SpyderTracks]

Thanks for the response. Yeah I did ask for some advice from family and friends, but every response I got was some variation of "I don't know about laptops. Get a desktop instead", but desktop isn't an option.
It never occurred to me to ask publically.

I think I will return it to see if there's any hardware issues.
In the meantime, could you elaborate a little on what you mean by not balanced? Apart from the RAM size and the GPU, I went for some of the highest spec parts I could for this build, and if I've cocked it up I'd like to have a bit of a direction provided so I don't make the same mistakes again

Easiest thing to do is cancel it which you can do up to 14 days after receiving it with no questions asked.

Unfortunately the compromises you've made will mean very little usable lifetime of the build.

Cancel it and come back for some advice.

 

[Crispy01]

Easiest thing to do is cancel it which you can do up to 14 days after receiving it with no questions asked.

Unfortunately the compromises you've made will mean very little usable lifetime of the build.

Cancel it and come back for some advice.

I am afraid its a been over a month at this point. I think with the silver warranty I could still return it, but if not then I'll have to chalk it up as a painfully expensive lesson and live with it.

Unfortunately, apart form that, my options for laptops are very limited. There's two parts I am unwilling to shift one: it needs to be at least 17" screen and 2k resolution. There only seems to be one option on this site that fits those categories, and that's the one I have.

If/when I do return this (if I can) I don't think I will be able to get a replacement for some time until the available stock changes.

 

[Scott]

I don't know if your system is still available as it sits. The configuration layout isn't my favourite for the laptop section.

On your build specifically, here is what I see as issues:

11k Series CPUs have been superseded. They've been out of date for a while and they weren't that good in all honesty. The laptops were better than the desktop offerings though, that's for sure.
Very slow RAM, 3200Mhz would be the minimum speed recommended. 16GB is fine for most applications.
1TB primary drive, 256GB secondary drive is an odd selection. You would want a 500GB fast primary and a 1TB fast storage drive IMO. I've selected the optimum below but there are savings that can be made with branding. With laptops I tend to recommend over-spending as it's typically a one and done scenario.

The rest I believe is fairly standard. The actual GPU selection is pretty good for the screen as it stands but I would typically want to shoot a little further as its the first thing that'll show it's age in the coming years when it comes to gaming. You're kind of stuck with what you've got so you really want to try and push the boat out where you can.

Something like the below would be very high level and suitable for your uses. note I would actually opt for the i7 CPU but it wasn't an option with the 3070Ti. The below is a little over what I would expect to pay for the spec due to this. However, this does allow for a very beefy system all in.

Not that you would particularly want to hear it now but the below would knock spots off the current selections.

Always reach out to community enthusiasts, not necessarily PCS.... anywhere. Opinions are funny old things, you really want them to be backed up with actual understanding and preferably reasoning.

Chassis & Display
Ionico Series: 17.3" Matte QHD 240Hz sRGB 100% LED Widescreen (2560x1440)
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i9 14 Core Processor 12900H (5.0GHz Turbo)
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair 4800MHz SODIMM DDR5 (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 3070 Ti - 8.0GB GDDR6 Video RAM - DirectX® 12.1
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SAMSUNG 980 PRO M.2, PCIe NVMe (up to 6900MB/R, 5000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
1TB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3500MB/sR | 2500MB/sW)
Memory Card Reader
Integrated Micro-SD Memory Card Reader
AC Adaptor
1 x 230W AC Adaptor
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Battery
Ionico Series Integrated 91WH Lithium Ion Battery
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
2 Channel High Definition Audio + MIC/Headphone Jack
Wireless Network Card
GIGABIT LAN & WIRELESS INTEL® Wi-Fi 6 AX201 + BT 5.0
USB/Thunderbolt Options
1 x USB 3.2 PORT (Type C) + 3 x USB 3.2 PORTS
Keyboard Language
IONICO 17 SERIES RGB BACKLIT UK KEYBOARD
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
Norton 360 For Gamers - Free 90 Day License
Browser
Microsoft® Edge
Keyboard & Mouse
INTEGRATED 2 BUTTON TOUCHPAD MOUSE
Webcam
INTEGRATED 2.0 MP FULL HD WEBCAM
Warranty
3 Year Standard Warranty (1 Month Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)
Chassis
TongFang GM7AG7P (8GB RTX-3070 Ti, i9-12900H, AX201, 240Hz QHD, Blank KB)
Delivery
STANDARD INSURED DELIVERY TO UK MAINLAND (MON-FRI)
Build Time
Standard Build - Approximately 2 to 4 working days
Price: £2,225.00 including VAT and Delivery

Unique URL to re-configure: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/saved-configurations/ionico-iii-17/Jq8aaZc5n3/

 

[barlew]

If you are able i would definitely consider returning it and getting something along the lines of what @Scott has suggested (although like you did previously i would recommend the MX-4 thermal compound).

Out of interest do you have Control Center installed and configured?

 

[Crispy01]

If you are able i would definitely consider returning it and getting something along the lines of what @Scott has suggested (although like you did previously i would recommend the MX-4 thermal compound).

Out of interest do you have Control Center installed and configured?

It is installed, but for some reason it has been disabled from launching on start up, and when I did launch it, it doesn't work. Most of the settings are missing and none of the toggles or options seem to do anything on it.
Probably related to the keyboard backlight not working.

I think you're right. I'll get this returned and probably get the better build listed above if I am able, thanks guys. Although the extra £500+ cost on it is very unpleasant. With regards to things like the Ram speed that I chose, and the 3070, I chose those to try to reduce the cost of the build.

 

[barlew]

It is installed, but for some reason it has been disabled from launching on start up, and when I did launch it, it doesn't work. Most of the settings are missing and none of the toggles or options seem to do anything on it.
Probably related to the keyboard backlight not working.

I think you're right. I'll get this returned and probably get the better build listed above if I am able, thanks guys. Although the extra £500+ cost on it is very unpleasant. With regards to things like the Ram speed that I chose, and the 3070, I chose those to try to reduce the cost of the build.

Just a side note from what you have said here i do not think windows is configured properly. If you were to keep it i would be recommending a full fresh install and configuration of windows.