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Last active May 25, 2025 17:19
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Enable Processor Boost Mode Control in Advanced Power Settings
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processor-boost-mode.md

Enable Processor Boost Mode Control in Windows

Disable Turbo Boost to Reduce Power Consumption and Heat

Why Do We Need It?

If your laptop’s CPU is running very hot and you’ve tried to undervolt it, you’ve probably discovered there’s no easy way to do so—especially on laptops whose BIOS doesn’t expose those controls. I ran into the same issue with my Ryzen 7 5800H, despite numerous attempts, I couldn’t undervolt because the firmware simply wouldn’t allow it. While it may seem drastic, disabling Turbo Boost is one workaround—and you might be surprised how little real-world performance you lose by turning it off.

Why Tweak CPU Boost?

  • Heat & Noise: Aggressive boosting spins fans faster and raises CPU temperatures, often causing thermal throttling and fan noise spikes.
  • Battery Life: Reducing boost levels directly cuts power draw, extending unplugged runtime.
  • Workload Fit: GPU-bound games or lightweight tasks rarely need max CPU frequency, so limiting boost can be unnoticeable in practice.
  • Fine-Grained Control: Beyond the basic Enabled/Disabled options, Windows offers efficiency-focused and calculated-boost modes—some only visible after the registry tweak.

Quick Registry Hack to Reveal Boost Modes

  1. Open Registry Editor: Press Win+R, type regedit, and click OK. (Be careful in the registry!)
  2. Navigate to the Path: In the top bar of the Registry Editor, paste:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Power\PowerSettings\54533251-82be-4824-96c1-47b60b740d00\be337238-0d82-4146-a960-4f3749d470c7
  1. Modify Attributes: Find Attributes on the right side, double-click it, and change its value from 1 to 2.

Now, you can control the mode:

  1. Search for Edit Power Plan in Windows search and open it.
  2. Click Change advanced power settings.
  3. Expand Processor power management, then expand Processor Performance Boost Mode.
  4. You can now choose different STATE/MODE for On Battery and Plugged in.

Processor Performance Boost Modes

Classic Modes

Mode Simplified Effect Use Case
Disabled No boost—CPU stays at base frequency. Laptops seeking max battery life & low heat.
Enabled Standard boost—OS-managed boost when needed. Everyday use with balanced performance.
Aggressive Boosts readily to max frequencies, regardless of power draw. Demanding workloads on well-cooled rigs.
Efficient Enabled Boosts but favors energy efficiency over raw speed. Laptops needing mild boost without heat.
Efficient Aggressive Prioritizes efficiency but still seeks higher boost levels. Mixed-use systems wanting more boost safely.

At Guaranteed Variants

Guaranteed performance level = the CPU’s nominal base frequency.

Mode Simplified Effect Use Case
Aggressive At Guaranteed Requests a calculated extra boost above the base frequency for a precise jump. When you want controlled high boost.
Efficient Aggressive At Guaranteed Same precise boost above base, but with efficiency constraints to limit power usage. Modern systems needing strong boost with better power.

Which Mode Is Best for You?

  • Ultra-quiet/cool laptops: Start with Disabled, then step up to Efficient Enabled if performance lags.
  • Balanced desktop/laptop: Enabled or Efficient Aggressive At Guaranteed offers strong performance with decent power control.
  • Max-performance rigs: Use Aggressive or Aggressive At Guaranteed —just keep an eye on thermals.

A Friendly Advice

While tweaking these settings can be very beneficial, always make changes one at a time and observe your system's stability, temperatures, and performance.

@CuroSalus
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Thank you for making this. My 5950x was constantly boosting across all cores even in Balanced, so this helped.

There are now two more options:

  • Aggressive At Guaranteed
  • Efficient Aggressive At Guaranteed

@Mishasama
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  • Guaranteed

So does anyone know what "guaranteed" means? What's the difference between these options?

@xcagricolak
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xcagricolak commented May 11, 2025 •
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  • Guaranteed

So does anyone know what "guaranteed" means? What's the difference between these options?

Far as i know, it will give you a guaranteed maximum cpu clock speed. You can hover the mouse on list of item to you can see the what is it for.

@Mishasama
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You can hover the mouse on list of item to you can see the what is it for.

I see. But still don't know what is a guaranteed maximum CPU clock speed. There is no fixed maximum for CPUs these days, they all have a constantly increasing upper limit based on cooling capacity.

@ehsan18t
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  • Guaranteed

So does anyone know what "guaranteed" means? What's the difference between these options?

I've rewrite the article and added explanations for guaranteed variants, hope it helps.

@ehsan18t
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Thank you for making this. My 5950x was constantly boosting across all cores even in Balanced, so this helped.

There are now two more options:

  • Aggressive At Guaranteed
  • Efficient Aggressive At Guaranteed

Thanks for pointing it out. I've added information about them as well. It's been so long last time I open this; I forgot completely about it.

@Mishasama
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  • Guaranteed

So does anyone know what "guaranteed" means? What's the difference between these options?

I've rewrite the article and added explanations for guaranteed variants, hope it helps.

Thank you very much! It really helps!

@LeftoverAtoms
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You are the greatest person of all time. Although I have a 2024 laptop this thing turns into a jet, but no longer.

@ehsan18t
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You are the greatest person of all time. Although I have a 2024 laptop this thing turns into a jet, but no longer.

Glad to know it helped. :D

@Solarriors
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Solarriors commented May 23, 2025 •
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I don't have "Efficient Agressive at Guaranteed". Only the A@G and E@G.
Does the guaranteed means the setting tries to maximize actual performance consider thermal (but not power) constraints thus preventing the tipping point of thermal throttlings ?

@ehsan18t
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I don't have "Efficient Agressive at Guaranteed". Only the A@G and E@G. Does the guaranteed means the setting tries to maximize actual performance consider thermal (but not power) constraints thus preventing the tipping point of thermal throttlings ?

Yes, mostly — but with some clarification:

  • Guaranteed mode ensures that the CPU operates at a frequency that avoids thermal and power limits being breached, particularly ensuring no thermal throttling occurs.
  • It does not maximize performance, but rather maintains a balance where performance is reliable and sustainable under all thermal and power conditions.
  • It does consider both thermal and power constraints, but the main idea is to operate at a "safe" frequency that’s always sustainable, even under prolonged load — without relying on turbo boosting.
  • So, this setting avoids the tipping point of thermal throttling by staying within safe operating bounds, but it’s not trying to push performance aggressively like the turbo or boost modes.

What About "Aggressive at Guaranteed" vs "Efficient at Guaranteed"?

  • Aggressive at Guaranteed likely keeps the CPU close to the guaranteed base frequency but prioritizes faster response to load, allowing quicker scaling within the safe range.
  • Efficient at Guaranteed prioritizes power savings while also remaining within the guaranteed frequency range.

Both are "safe" modes, just biased differently — one toward performance response, the other toward efficiency.

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