Manufacturers of modern gaming laptops often configure systems so that the processor warms up to 90 degrees and even reaches 100 degrees Celsius under load. This problem is especially acute in the summer when running demanding games or heavy work tasks.
Due to extreme heating, throttling is activated (resetting the processor frequencies to prevent physical damage), which leads to a sharp loss of performance, freezes and a drop in FPS. There are many ways to combat overheating (from using cooling pads to undervolting), but in this article I will describe the simplest and fastest method that is relevant for Windows 11 and earlier versions of the operating system.
The method is to limit the maximum processor state through power supply settings:
1. Open Power Options via Windows Search or Control Panel.
2. In the active power plan, go to the section for changing additional parameters.
3. Find the Processor power management branch.
4. Expand the Maximum processor state option.
5. For Plugged In, change the value from 100% to 80% or less.
After applying these settings, the processor will no longer automatically overclock to extreme frequencies that generate excess heat. Although the maximum peak performance will decrease by approximately 20%, the processor will no longer overheat. Stable operation at a reduced frequency without throttling is MUCH better and more comfortable for the system than constant sharp jumps in performance due to overheating at temperatures under 100 degrees.
Each laptop is unique, so I recommend that users experiment and find the optimal balance (percentage) that will provide the desired performance without overheating.
