MBP 2017 - Sudden GPU performance drop in Bootcamp

[saynax]

Hi all,

I have the MBP2017 15 inch TB model and I am suddenly experiencing significant performance drop when playing games on Windows 10 in Bootcamp, across more than one game:

- Overwatch used to run at around 80-110 FPS on Medium/High settings (50% scaling), this has now gone down to 40-70
- Fortnite used to run at 60 FPS, now down to an average of 30
- PUBG used to run at 45FPS, now down to 20

I have previously experienced similar issues after updating games or Windows 10, but this time it happened without any updates whatsoever.

I only use Windows 10 for playing those games, so haven't accidentally downloaded anything else that may slow down the PC.

I tried checking the power settings in Windows 10, i.e. making sure it's not on battery saver mode. I also ran the Geekbench OpenCL GPU benchmark in MacOS and the scores I got (13800-14200) seem to be on par with other MBP2017 with the Radeon Pro 560, so I don't think the hardware itself is damaged.

When running CPU-Z in Windows, I noticed that my fan speed never goes above 33/34%. I am not sure whether this was the case previously though, but this seems to be relatively low and could potentially cause some GPU throttling? Usually, when I first start the games (or ALT TAB out and back in), the FPS are fine for a few seconds before dropping to the new lows again. It's as if the PC can handle the higher performance but then because it doesn't get cooled enough by the fans it throttles the performance? This is only a theory I have though and could be completely unrelated. I was unable to find a software that can handle manual fan control for the MBPs via Bootcamp, but I am not sure I should be messing around with this either.

I have also tried different electrical outlets to see if it made a difference (FPS usually drop when on battery), but this didn't help either. I also tried an SMC reset.

As a last resort I could try re-installing Windows 10, but this is a bit of a hassle and I am not sure if I can still get the older stable version (1607), as I was definitely experiencing performance issues (choppy lags in game) with the later releases.

So I was hoping anyone else may have some input or knows something I can check before going down that route?

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Mark-Technology]

Hi all,

I was unable to find a software that can handle manual fan control for the MBPs via Bootcamp, but I am not sure I should be messing around with this either.

The software is very well known : MacsFanControl : https://www.crystalidea.com/macs-fan-control

It is the only reliable program that controls Mac fans and reads temperature sensors. It is also completely free (donation ware). No trials or free/paid versions.

I never game without turning on MacsFanControl to max settings for both my fans on my 2011 15" MacBook Pro. (Because, a few minutes after running the game, the fans will most likely speed up a lot anyway, so might as well run them at full speed from the start and delay thermal throttling).

Apple is notorious for delaying fan speeds ramping up until temperatures are very, very high. This is why manual control is much better. Apple loves silent, slow, throttled notebooks instead of loud, performing, cooled ones.


To be honest, your problem sounds like its an all of a sudden thing. I don't see why the games could be running fine on the same hardware (fans) and then suddenly this happens. Seems like a software/driver problem.

It's very hard to diagnose these on bootcamp because the drivers are special in the first place.

Are you using bootcampdrivers.com drivers? For AMD you should only use those. They are custom modded drivers because Apple/AMD always take years to provide up to date drivers for AMD.

PLEASE use bootcampdrivers.com (follow the read me guide when you download them or watch their videos.

edit: also please don't use older versions of windows (1607) like you said. It may be running well, but you are very behind/outdated. The newer versions have a lot better support for newer machines like yours (2017).
I would honestly clean install version 1803 and then install apple's official bootcamp drivers. and THEN after that install bootcampdrivers.com's drivers for your card (make sure to follow their guide. you need to use DDU (display driver uninstaller to uninstall previous graphics drivers before proceeding). After this is all done, then download macsfancontrol and lastly install your games.

This is always what I do when I clean install my mac.

I guarantee if you follow this, the machine will run beautifully. Use 1803. Don't older versions.

 

[saynax]

Hi Mark and thank you very much for your elaborate reply. It is very much appreciated.

I have now downloaded MacsFanControl and it does appear that my fans run at the maximum speed in game, so this doesn't seem to be the issue. I did notice that both fans have different maximum speeds (5500 vs 5000, if I remember correctly, I am currently at work and can't check). This seemed a little strange but I will guess that it is by design.

You are correct when you say that it is an 'all of a sudden thing', but since there had been no updates to any software as far as I am aware (Windows, drivers, game, game launcher) and that the issue occurred across all games, I find it odd that one of these components is suddenly causing the issue.

One more thing I noticed while playing Overwatch and running MSI Afterburner: When I initially launch the game, the FPS appears to be fine for about a minute and I can see the GPU temperature stable around 73/74 degrees Celsius. Then, after about one minute, the temperature drops to 62 degrees and remains stable around there. When this drop happens is when the FPS suddenly cut in half. If I remember correctly, before I had the issue, the temperature always remained stable around the 73 degree range. So it appears that something is forcing the GPU not to run at its full potential.

As I haven't found another solution yet I will have to go for the full Windows re-install just as you suggested above. I will do this once I have some time over the weekend.

I had heard of the Bootcamp drivers but haven't given them a try yet. I will look into that after the Windows re-install, if the results are not satisfying.

I will report back once I have re-installed everything, but this may only be in a few days.

Thank you very much for your reply again.

 

[Mark-Technology]

Hey, I wanted to check back to see how things are?

Any update?