I5 11400H power limit throttling issues

[jvu4812]

Hello,

I’m having an issue with power limit throttling on my HP Victus laptop and I’d like some help understanding how to fix it.

When I was playing  BF6, I had 80 fps and suddenly my fps drop to 55.  After some test, I see that my cpu have power limit throttling when reaching higher than 55w it fall to 35w  also drop the frequency of my cpu to 3.5-3.8ghz while it should be on multri thread 4.1ghz (cpu can reach on 4.5ghz).  Its not thermal issues cause I had 70c (depends of the game I play) with the PTM also the cooling pad  and fans on max I cant even reach 90. 

My question is:  how can I stop my CPU from being stuck in power limit throttling ? Can I make  the "35w" getting the max frequency like 4.1 ghz ?  Or maybe Is this limitation hardcoded by HP in the BIOS/firmware ? 

Even on Uncharted 4, I've seen I had power limit throttling. Now I become paranoiac when I know why I had low fps cause my cpu its power throttling. 

(using Intel XTU or Throttlestop change nothing at all)

(Im using ultimate perfomance battery plan and also on omen gaming hub the perfomance mode) 

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @jvu4812 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how frustrating that must feel — especially when you’ve ruled out temps and cooling but still see FPS dips because of power limit throttling (PL1/PL2 capping) on your HP Victus with the i5-11400H. 

Let’s break this down.

Why this happens

HP sets strict power limits in firmware/BIOS on gaming laptops to balance thermals, battery longevity, and VRM safety.

The i5-11400H can indeed turbo up to ~4.1 GHz on all cores, but only for short bursts. Once the CPU package power (PL1) exceeds the sustained wattage defined in BIOS (often around 35–45 W for Victus models), the firmware forces it down, even if temps are fine.

That’s why XTU and Throttlestop don’t help — the limits are usually locked by HP at the BIOS/EC level.

What you can try

Check for BIOS and EC firmware updates
Sometimes HP loosens or optimizes PL1/PL2 behavior in updates.
👉 HP Support – Victus 16-d0000 drivers & BIOS

Use HP Omen Gaming Hub – Performance Control

In Performance Mode, the system should allow higher PL2 wattage for longer bursts.

If you’re already using this and still capped at ~35 W sustained, that’s likely the hardcoded PL1.

Windows power settings

You already use Ultimate Performance, but also double-check under Processor power management → set minimum processor state to 100%. This can help maintain higher base frequencies.

Undervolting (if possible)

On 11th Gen Intel, undervolting is often locked due to Plundervolt mitigations, but if unlocked on your unit, reducing core voltage can let the CPU sustain higher clocks within the same 35 W limit.

Cooling setup

Even though temps look fine (~70 °C), keeping the VRM cooler (backside of motherboard near CPU socket) can sometimes delay throttling. A strong cooling pad under the left-center area may help.

On Victus systems, sustained 35 W CPU limit is usually hard-coded into the BIOS/embedded controller. HP prioritizes GPU headroom for gaming, so the CPU gets down-capped to keep overall system power within design limits.

That means:

Short bursts at 55 W → then sustained ~35 W (what you’re seeing).

No way to fully unlock it without unofficial BIOS mods (not recommended — risky and voids warranty).

You're clearly doing everything right—this is a firmware wall, not a user error.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[jvu4812]

Hello Hawks_Eye,

Thank you for your reply, I understand better now.

One last question:

I wanted to know if it's possible to get the extra 10W because I saw that according to Intel (maybe my Victus model can do it), it can go up to 45W, which is the acceptable limit for the CPU.

I'm sure it's not possible given the tests I did before, but I'm still hopeful.

Best regards,
Jvu

[Hawks_Eye]

You are Welcome!

On your Victus 15:

Officially: You cannot unlock the extra 10W — the system is firmware-locked at ~35W sustained.

Practically: The only way around is advanced modding (custom BIOS/EC, risky and not recommended).

Safe gains: Try undervolting and optimizing cooling — this lets you squeeze better performance within the same 35W cap.

A huge thank you for marking this post as the 'Accepted Solution'! We're thrilled that we could help resolve your issue. 

If you have any more questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to ask. We're here to help! 

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye