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HP Recommended

Hello,

I’ve been using this laptop for about 3 years. Until recently, I could play most games without Turbo Boost enabled, but now my CPU isn’t strong enough to maintain 60 FPS without it. I changed the thermal paste, cleaned the fans, and decided to enable Turbo Boost for BF6 beta and Stalker 2.

However, when Turbo Boost is on, I get very unstable FPS and severe stuttering. In MSI Afterburner, the CPU runs at 4.1 GHz but suddenly drops to 0.8 GHz for a second, causing big FPS drops. This doesn’t happen when Turbo Boost is disabled.

I recently discovered ThrottleStop and found that the 0.8 GHz drops were caused by BD PROCHOT triggering, even though CPU temps were only around 65–75 °C. Disabling BD PROCHOT gave me a stable 3.5 GHz and +30–40 FPS in games, but I still see red EDP throttle alerts.

The bigger issue is that after disabling BD PROCHOT, my battery starts draining while gaming, even when plugged in. If I unplug the charger during gameplay, the laptop immediately shuts down. I have EDP throttle alert at the same time. There is no problem in game the only problem is my battery draining unless I close the game.

At this point, I’m not sure if I should keep BD PROCHOT disabled or not. I’m open to adjusting TDP limits, PL1/PL2, or undervolting based on your recommendations. Any help would be appreciated.

 

 

3 REPLIES 3
HP Recommended

Hi @PapaHead,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

You're well-versed in system tuning, and your observations are spot-on. Let’s walk through what’s happening and how to approach it safely.

What’s Going On

  • BD PROCHOT (Bi-Directional Processor Hot) is a safety feature that throttles the CPU if any component (not just the CPU) signals overheating, often the VRMs or battery.
  • Disabling BD PROCHOT via ThrottleStop removes that throttle, improving performance, but it also bypasses thermal safeguards, which can lead to power delivery issues, especially on laptops.


 Why Battery Drain Happens When BD PROCHOT Is Disabled

  • Your CPU draws more power than the charger can supply, especially under Turbo Boost.
  • The system compensates by pulling power from the battery, even when plugged in.
  • This triggers EDP (Electrical Design Point) throttling, a sign that the power delivery system is overloaded.


Steps to Balance Performance and Safety

1. Undervolt the CPU

  • Use ThrottleStop or Intel XTU to undervolt the CPU core and cache.
  • Start with -80 mV and test stability. This reduces power draw and heat, helping avoid BD PROCHOT triggers.


2. Adjust PL1/PL2 and TDP Limits

  • In ThrottleStop:
    • Set PL1 (long-term power limit) to ~35–45W.
    • Set PL2 (short burst) to ~55–65W.
  • This keeps Turbo Boost active but within safe power limits.


3. Enable BD PROCHOT but Limit Its Impact

  • Instead of disabling BD PROCHOT entirely, try:
    • Undervolting + TDP tuning to prevent it from triggering.
    • Monitor VRM and battery temps using HWInfo64.


4. Improve Cooling

  • Use a cooling pad and ensure the thermal paste is high-quality.
  • Consider repadding VRMs if accessible — they may be overheating and triggering BD PROCHOT.


5. Use a Higher Wattage Charger (if supported)

  • Some OMEN models support 230W adapters. If you're using a 200W or lower, upgrading may reduce battery drain.

 

I hope this helps.

 

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

Did we resolve the issue? If yes, please consider marking this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" to give us a helpful vote - your feedback keeps us going!

 

Regards,

VikramTheGreat

HP Recommended

Hello,

First of all, thank you very much for your answer.

I believe my problem is related to the power adapter. I suspect the thin wire inside the connector of my Omen’s adapter may be damaged, so I tested with a different adapter. I also have an HP ZBook workstation with an i9 vPro CPU. Its adapter is not the exact same model as my Omen’s, but the specs (voltage, wattage, output) are identical. The Omen’s adapter is TPN-DA23, while the ZBook’s is TPN-DA21. Can you confirm if these adapters are interchangeable?

 

I tested the ZBook’s adapter with BD PROCHOT enabled. At first, the CPU ran around 3.5 GHz and only throttled a few times during one hour of gaming. However, after unplugging and reconnecting the charger, the issue came back: CPU frequency fluctuated between 4.2 GHz and 0.8 GHz, with constant BD PROCHOT throttling—same as with my Omen’s adapter.

I also want to clarify: the battery drain issue is not related to the adapter swap. The battery drained slower only after I changed TDP limits, not because of using the ZBook adapter. When BD PROCHOT disabled, the battery still drains—just at a slower rate due to those TDP changes.

 

I read that the thin wire in the connector acts as an adapter ID signal to the BIOS. Does this mean I must use the exact same adapter model (TPN-DA23) to avoid throttling? If so, how can I find the officially supported adapters for my laptop?

I also wonder if using a 230W adapter would solve this issue. But if the laptop is sold with a 200W adapter, why should I have to buy a higher-wattage one separately? Ideally, HP should provide an adapter that fully supports the system’s power needs.

 

I haven’t tried undervolting yet but will test it soon. Meanwhile, I’d appreciate any clarification about adapter compatibility, supported models, and whether a higher-wattage adapter would really make a difference. Also, is there a way to measure my laptop’s exact power draw during gaming to verify if it’s using the full 200W?

 

Thank you in advance.

HP Recommended

Hi @PapaHead,

Thank you for getting back. Related to the product, we have tried all the options to find more help. Please help with the printer details in Private.

Please help us with your HP unit serial number or the product number in a private message for further assistance.
 

Here is the link to find the product Serial number: - Click here


To access your private messages, simply click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile and send a private message to me with the serial number because we value your privacy.

VikramTheGreat

HP Support

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