Windows 10-64 version 1903, HP Envy 13-aq0045cl Power Throttling under CPU Load

Hi Mike!

Actually, after a fresh boot from cold/dark, I uninstall the "Processor Participant" component of the "Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework" devices in "Device Manager".  Unless the machine has already warmed up, this is all you need to do.  If it's warm, you'll need to reset the processor's short term power limit (PL1) to 15W with another tool.  I'm using Intel's "Extreme Tuning Utility" to do this.

This machine has been rock solid and I love it; I haven't had any issues whatsoever.  I think that the PL1 throttling issue may be specific to the HP Envy 13-aq0045cl, however, and I don't think you'll find this model anywhere other than Costco, so you may not even need to do anything to your new HP Envy 13.

-Dale

Would I recommend this laptop?  That's a tricky question.  While I did eventually find a solution that resolved an absurd performance problem for my HP Envy aq0045cl, I didn't get one bit of help from HP in this endeavor, and, trust me, I tried REALLY hard to get assistance from HP.

In the end, I've got a laptop with which I'm REALLY satisfied, but I'm still pretty upset about the total lack of support from HP.  I guess you're going to have to decide if "after the sale support" (or lack thereof) is critically important to your decision regarding what laptop to purchase.

-Dale

Mike,

I'm sorry; I mistyped.  PL1 is the LONG term power limit, not the short term power limit as I stated above.  If your Envy 13 is already warm when you boot, it's possible you'll need to reset the LONG term power limit (PL1) to 15W after uninstalling the "Processor Component" of Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework to fully enjoy the performance of Intel's 8565U processor as advertised in HP's glossy for the HP Envy 13.  Again, this might be specific to the HP Envy 13-aq0045cl, the only Envy 13 I found with a 4K display.

-Dale

Richard,

I cracked it!  Your vector regarding the "Intel Dynamic Platform and Thermal Framework" was actually critical.  As you're likely aware, Intel provides a template of this driver to the various PC manufacturers and they, in turn, supply tuned versions with their hardware.  It turns out that, for some odd reason, the HP-tuned version recommended for the Envy 13-aq0045cl pursues a steady-state (warmed up) TDP of only six to eight Watts unless the customer adds some forced convection cooling (blasts a fan directly on the laptop to aid in cooling).  It's not that the machine gets too warm without HP's IDPFT values; I think it's just that HP's IDPTF tuning is a bit off for this machine.

Bottom line - It's possible to override HP's IDPFT values and force a 15W max TDP, required to get HP's advertised performance from this machine, without creating any problems for core or package temperatures.  Problem solved!

Thanks so much for sticking with me on that one!

V/r,

-Dale

You could try replicating the Ultimate Performance Power Scheme that is available on Windows 10 Pro for Workstations edition. To do this on Windows 10 Home, open an Administrator Command Prompt:

powercfg /DUPLICATESCHEME e9a42b02-d5df-448d-aa00-03f14749eb61

This will give you a new unique GUID for a power scheme labelled Ultimate Performance. You should be able to highlight that new GUID with your mouse. Then right-click to copy it for use in the next command:

powercfg /SETACTIVE 381b4222-f694-41f0-9685-ff5bb260df2e<-- insert your new GUID number by again right-clicking on the Command Prompt window.

Now if you enter powercfg /L it should show you an asterisk beside the new Ultimate Performance power scheme.

I don't know if this will fix your issue, but it sets most power saving options to maximum performance.  You can still select a timeout for the screen in Settings.