Laptop Runs Poorly When On Battery

Daniel DC88

Banned
Messages
20
Location
England
Hi everyone,

I've recently acquired a Scan 3XS LG15 laptop and with its GTX 680M it runs games like Assassin's Creed III maxed out very well, but only when plugged in. The drop in performance happens as soon as it's unplugged, and speeds up again once plugged in.

When on battery games run very badly indeed. I'm not sure whether this is down to the game running on the Intel HD Graphics 4000 or whether it is just not switching to a higher power state.

I've also checked windows power profiles and nothing seems out of place. Nvidia Contol Panel has been set to always use the GPU and the prefer maximum performance. It doesn't seem to make any difference.

I think there's something called Optimus that changes profile depending on what you're doing, but I haven't noticed this working.

If anyone could give me a hand, it would be much appreciated.

Thanks,

Daniel
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 950 Overclocked @ 3.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P58XD-E
    Memory
    6 x 2GB Corsair XMS 3 @ 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotak Geforce GTX 590 3GB; Asus GTX 560Ti Direct CUII
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek Digital Optical
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Phillips 234EL2; Dell E2209W
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080; 1050x1680
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Geforce GS 240GB SSD; Toshiba 3TB HDD
    PSU
    950W OCZ Game-X-Stream
    Case
    White NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS 9900 Max
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95
    Mouse
    Cyborg R.A.T. 9
    Internet Speed
    10Mb/S on a good day!
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Smart Screen Filter
    Other Info
    I also have a Scan 3XS LG15 notebook with 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 2.7GHz 3rd-gen i7, GTX 680M.
Try changing it to high performance mode.

When your on battery mode click on the battery in the task bar and select more power options, then open "Hide additional plans" and select High Performance. This will lower battery life, but should help.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Magnum 5.2
The unplugged battery mode isn't made for playing games!

Always play plugged-in. If you intend to play / keep plugged-in for a long time, remove the battery.

The lower consumption balanced or power saver modes apply when on battery. If you play and use high performance on battery, then you will kill your battery sooner than expected, but I leave that up to you to find out.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    HP Envy DV6 7250
    CPU
    Intel i7-3630QM
    Motherboard
    HP, Intel HM77 Express Chipset
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel HD4000 + Nvidia Geforce 630M
    Sound Card
    IDT HD Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    15.6' built-in + Samsung S22D300 + 17.3' LG Phillips
    Screen Resolution
    multiple resolutions
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 250GB + Hitachi HDD 750GB
    PSU
    120W adapter
    Case
    small
    Cooling
    laptop cooling pad
    Keyboard
    Backlit built-in + big one in USB
    Mouse
    SteelSeries Sensei
    Internet Speed
    slow and steady
    Browser
    Chromium, Pale Moon, Firefox Developer Edition
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    That's basically it.
Try changing it to high performance mode.

Thanks, but I've already tried this. That's what I meant by saying I "checked Windows power profiles" - sorry if that wasn't clear.

Thanks!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 950 Overclocked @ 3.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P58XD-E
    Memory
    6 x 2GB Corsair XMS 3 @ 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotak Geforce GTX 590 3GB; Asus GTX 560Ti Direct CUII
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek Digital Optical
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Phillips 234EL2; Dell E2209W
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080; 1050x1680
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Geforce GS 240GB SSD; Toshiba 3TB HDD
    PSU
    950W OCZ Game-X-Stream
    Case
    White NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS 9900 Max
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95
    Mouse
    Cyborg R.A.T. 9
    Internet Speed
    10Mb/S on a good day!
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Smart Screen Filter
    Other Info
    I also have a Scan 3XS LG15 notebook with 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 2.7GHz 3rd-gen i7, GTX 680M.
The unplugged battery mode isn't made for playing games!

Unfortunately mains power isn't available everywhere so I'm forced to run off battery in the plane or the car. It's also nice to sometimes lounge around without being tethered to the wall.

I am also aware of how to charge my laptop.

As with the last post, the performance power plan makes no difference.

Thanks...
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 950 Overclocked @ 3.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P58XD-E
    Memory
    6 x 2GB Corsair XMS 3 @ 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotak Geforce GTX 590 3GB; Asus GTX 560Ti Direct CUII
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek Digital Optical
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Phillips 234EL2; Dell E2209W
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080; 1050x1680
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Geforce GS 240GB SSD; Toshiba 3TB HDD
    PSU
    950W OCZ Game-X-Stream
    Case
    White NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS 9900 Max
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95
    Mouse
    Cyborg R.A.T. 9
    Internet Speed
    10Mb/S on a good day!
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Smart Screen Filter
    Other Info
    I also have a Scan 3XS LG15 notebook with 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 2.7GHz 3rd-gen i7, GTX 680M.
The unplugged battery mode isn't made for playing games!

Unfortunately mains power isn't available everywhere so I'm forced to run off battery in the plane or the car. It's also nice to sometimes lounge around without being tethered to the wall.

I am also aware of how to charge my laptop.

As with the last post, the performance power plan makes no difference.

Thanks...

Hi there

When on Battery the power supply in the laptop is inhibited from delivering maximum power -- especially when gaming as the video will really KILL the battery. The battery cannot deliver the same wattage (power) output as the computer can when powered directly from the mains unless the battery is brand new -- and if you do this the battery will age very rapidly indeed.

If the battery is old as well its internal resistance is higher - also making delivery of a suitable output power impossible -- Basic Physics -- Ohms Law !!. -- For those who have forgottten basic physics here it is again.

Ohm's law - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

On Mains this restriction is lifted -- the power supply can deliver maximum watts. (Internal resistance is negligible --or should be !!).

In car it's quite easy to get a DC==>DC inverter for your laptop. Most laptops run at 17 or 20 V DC. A standard cigar lighter from a car socket is 12V DC -- so get a 12==>17/20 V inverter.

(You can also get an AC adapter for your car -- this will provide 120 (US) or 220 V (Europe) at sufficient wattage to run your laptop -- but this IMO is a waste since the laptop will transform that down to +17V anyway --so just go directly for the 17V inverter).

For planes it's a different story -- very few (unless you can travel First Class) have anything approaching power sockets -- especially not in "Cattle class" or Coach. -- Been there -- done this -- I've probably travelled on more planes than most people SEE in their lifetime.

Take an E-reader while you are on the plane -- probably good for you to have a break from Music and games for a few hours and get your mind round a good book.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Linux Centos 7, W8.1, W7, W2K3 Server W10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Monitor(s) Displays
    1 X LG 40 inch TV
    Hard Drives
    SSD's * 3 (Samsung 840 series) 250 GB
    2 X 3 TB sata
    5 X 1 TB sata
    Internet Speed
    0.12 GB/s (120Mb/s)
When on Battery the power supply in the laptop is inhibited from delivering maximum power

Hi Jimbo,

That seems to make sense, but it doesn't explain why the game drops from over sixty to less than ten frames a second.

I know all too well about cattle class - I fly to and from Spain about four to six times on Ryanair!

I have considered an AC adapter but the idea of being to move around my college house is the main reason I want to use the laptop without the charger. Although I'm not sure the 12V could charge a laptop properly, since they struggle to charge my phone!

Thank you for the Kindle idea, but last time I checked, this was a computer forum - not a women's lifestyle & health blog!

Nevertheless cheers for the other advice!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom-built
    CPU
    Intel i7 950 Overclocked @ 3.5GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus P58XD-E
    Memory
    6 x 2GB Corsair XMS 3 @ 1600MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Zotak Geforce GTX 590 3GB; Asus GTX 560Ti Direct CUII
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek Digital Optical
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Phillips 234EL2; Dell E2209W
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080; 1050x1680
    Hard Drives
    Corsair Geforce GS 240GB SSD; Toshiba 3TB HDD
    PSU
    950W OCZ Game-X-Stream
    Case
    White NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Zalman CNPS 9900 Max
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95
    Mouse
    Cyborg R.A.T. 9
    Internet Speed
    10Mb/S on a good day!
    Browser
    Chrome
    Antivirus
    Windows Smart Screen Filter
    Other Info
    I also have a Scan 3XS LG15 notebook with 16GB RAM, 240GB SSD, 1TB HDD, 2.7GHz 3rd-gen i7, GTX 680M.
Mine has dual graphics (Intel 3000 and a GeForce GT555M) and it ALWAYS defaults to the Intel chip when on battery, to save power.
Even if the GeForce is selected as the primary GFX card.
I get 6.5 hours or thereabouts from this i7 2670QM desktop-replacement. I'm happy with that. And i don't notice any real performance
drop except on games which are VERY graphics-intensive.
Hope this helps someone.
Wenda.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 'Ultimate' RTM 64 bit (Pro/WMC).
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Acer AS8951G 'Desktop Replacement'.
    CPU
    i7-2670QM@2.2/3.1Ghz.
    Motherboard
    Acer
    Memory
    8GB@1366Mhz.
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce GT555M 2GB DDR3
    Sound Card
    Realtek HD w/Dolby 5.1 surround.
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Built-in. Non-touch.
    Screen Resolution
    18/4" 1920x1080 full-HD.
    Hard Drives
    Toshiba 750GBx2 internal. 1x2TB, 2x640GB, 1x500GB external.
    PSU
    Stock.
    Case
    Laptop.
    Cooling
    Stock.
    Keyboard
    Full 101-key
    Mouse
    USB cordless.
    Browser
    IE11, Firefox, Tor.
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender, MalwareBytes Pro.
    Other Info
    BD-ROM drive.
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