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

Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
7,222 Views
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 + ThrottleStopWIndows Performance: Without External Fan + ThrottleStop
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15 Replies
DeividA_Intel
Employee
7,147 Views

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
Beginner
7,115 Views
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
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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
7,112 Views
[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
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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
7,112 Views
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
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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
7,110 Views

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

 

FB_IMG_1701847762886.jpg

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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
7,015 Views

I just tried another Linux distribution, Linux MX which is not a rolling release running kernel 6.1.0-13Screenshot_20231206_073625.png

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Jose_Intel
Employee
6,969 Views

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


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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
6,945 Views
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DeividA_Intel
Employee
6,864 Views

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  


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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
6,566 Views

I apologise for what I've said.

 

It's just I got annoyed by this type of replying.

surely Microsoft wouldn't do anything about it since I've reached out to them for similar problems and got the same response.

 

I did my best asking for help EVERYWHERE

 

Intel support is my only hope.

Since you guys provide and develop the microcode for Linux

https://github.com/intel/Intel-Linux-Processor-Microcode-Data-Files/issues

 

and other Microsoft Product, Surface Book 2 with a i5-8350U doesn't not have this issue.

while i7-8550U, i7-8650U has similar issue on Lenovo Thinkpad, Dell E5490

 

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

 

https://github.com/erpalma/throttled

 

that inspired me, I was pretty sure that's not a Microsoft Surface issue.

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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
6,303 Views
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Ramen_LadyHKG
Beginner
2,150 Views

Would you mind to try these:

  1. s-tui
  2. Geekbench 6

s-tui is a cli tools, to stress cpu to 100%, you can set how many core/ thread to stress.
Run it as root, can output the power usage of the system.

 

My cpu frequency hardstuck below 2GHz when more than 6 thread is 100% usage.

This is my Geekbench 6 benchmark on Ubuntu and Windows on my Surface Book 2 with i7-8650U

 

螢幕快照 2024-05-15 23-56-47.png

My Surface Pro 5 with i5-7300U is running even faster than my Surface Book 2 with i7-8650U on Linux

Screenshot 2024-05-27 at 01-41-48 Ramen_LadyHKG's Profile - Geekbench.png

 

https://browser.geekbench.com/user/506131

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