Turbo Boost isn't working properly with Intel i7-8650U (Kaby Lake R) on Linux

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-01-2023

It’s a laptop from Microsoft, Surface Book 2. I run Fedora Linux and Arch Linux, both of them have this issue. Either default kernel or surface kernel has the same problem.


I’ve tried most solution: cpupower tlp thermald throttled power-profiles-daemon intel-pstate s-tui turbostat disable SecureBoot I still cannot get it working.


The CPU is not hot, neither power throttling. I can get it up to 4.2GHz, 35W package on Windows with Throttlestop These digits are What I’ve never seen on Linux.


It always stays below 2.1GHz, 1.3GHz when all core are stressed, always below 55C. I’ve made sure, TurboBoost is on.

Related topics:
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=218212

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/issues/1041

https://lemmy.world/post/8883518

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/i-cannot-get-turbo-boost-working-on-linux-for-my-intel-kaby-lake-r-processor-i7-8650u-always-below-10w-2-1ghz-current-throttling-surface-lapt.316202/

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/17w138n/i\_cannot\_get\_turbo\_boost\_working\_on\_linux\_for\_my/?sort=new


This is the performance I can get on Windows.
https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/109rp06/surface_book_2_users_please_post_your_cinebench/

WIndows Performance: Without External Fan + ThrottleStop

DeividA_Intel · ‎12-05-2023

Hello Ramen_LadyHKG,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities. I understand you are having issues with Tubo Boost under the Linux operating system.

Before I continue further, I would like to confirm the following:

1. Just to double-check, was this issue present with Windows?

2. Was Turboboost working before under Linux?

Regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-05-2023

Thank you for your attention!

1. Windows is functional OK, turbo boost is working. I use ThrottleStop to get it up to 30W in PL2, 20W in PL1 for 28sec

2. Unfortunately, I think turbo boost on this CPU has never worked on Linux

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-05-2023

[Second Attempt]
I cannot get Turbo Boost working on Linux for my Intel Kaby Lake R processor (i7-8650u), always below 10W, 2.1GHz. Current throttling. #Surface #Laptop

I've already made bug report on Kernel BugZilla, Intel_Community(got removed by Intel Mod)

It’s a laptop from Microsoft, Surface Book 2. I run Fedora Linux and Arch Linux, both of them have this issue. Either vanilla kernel or surface kernel has the same problem.

I’ve tried most solution: cpupower tlp thermald throttled power-profiles-daemon intel-pstate s-tui turbostat disable SecureBoot I still cannot get it working.

The CPU is not hot, neither power throttling. I can get it up to 4.2GHz, 35W package on Windows with Throttlestop These digits are What I’ve never seen on Linux.

It always stays below 2.1GHz, 1.3GHz when all core are stressed, always below 55C. I’ve made sure, TurboBoost is on.
Bug Report:
https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=218212

https://community.intel.com/t5/Processors/Turbo-Boost-isn-t-working-properly-with-Intel-i7-8650U-Kaby-Lake/m-p/1549828#M67367

Related Topic:
https://lemmy.world/post/8883518

https://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/i-cannot-get-turbo-boost-working-on-linux-for-my-intel-kaby-lake-r-processor-i7-8650u-always-below-10w-2-1ghz-current-throttling-surface-lapt.316202/

https://github.com/linux-surface/linux-surface/issues/1041

https://www.reddit.com/r/linux4noobs/comments/17w138n/i\_cannot\_get\_turbo\_boost\_working\_on\_linux\_for\_my/?sort=new

https://www.reddit.com/r/SurfaceLinux/comments/13x55et/whats_the_maximum_cpu_frequency_you_can_get_on/

https://www.reddit.com/r/Surface/comments/109rp06/surface_book_2_users_please_post_your_cinebench/

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1329587/intel-core-i7-8550u-cpu-frequency-drops-on-high-loads-on-ubuntu-20-04

https://chat.stackexchange.com/rooms/122864/discussion-between-doug-smythies-and-igntec

https://askubuntu.com/questions/1328008/computer-cpu-frequency-not-scaling-high-enough-when-needed-ubuntu-20-04

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-05-2023

Windows turbo boost function properly on that laptop.

It has to be something to do with Linux version 'intel microcode' or 'Linux Kernel' not patched with this line of CPU 'Intel Kaby Lake R'

there're number of affected model. Intel i7-8550u, i7-8650u

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-05-2023

I set `intel_pstate=no_hwp` in kernel parameters

the CPU is actually running a little bit better now, it's able to boost up to 2.2GHz under full load, Current Limit sometimes went out.

However, It's still not very usable. 10W is unacceptable

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-06-2023

I just tried another Linux distribution, Linux MX which is not a rolling release running kernel 6.1.0-13

Jose_Intel · ‎12-06-2023

Hello Ramen_LadyHKG

Thank you for reply.

We appreciate the information you shared with us, and we sincerely regret that is happening to you.

After investigating, we might have found the cause of the issue. It seems like you model does not support a Linux operating system, according to the system manufacturer it only supports: Windows 10, Version 1703 build 15063 and later versions.

You can validate the information here: Surface supported operating systems

Best regards,

Jose B.

Intel Customer Support Technician

Ramen_LadyHKG · ‎12-06-2023

BS

DeividA_Intel · ‎12-07-2023

Hello Ramen_LadyHKG,

There is no need for such language. Unfortunately, Microsoft has stated that this laptop will only support Windows and even though you can install a different operating system, it may present unexpected issues and may not work as intended.

You must check this with Microsoft to confirm if there is any BIOS option that could allow you to use Linux and an explanation about why they wanted their units to use only Windows.

Microsoft: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us

Please keep in mind that this thread will no longer be monitored by Intel.

Regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician