Blade Stealth Late '19 GTX Edition - Planned Firmware Update To Increase CPU To 25W When Using eGPU? | Razer Insider

Blade Stealth Late '19 GTX Edition - Planned Firmware Update To Increase CPU To 25W When Using eGPU?


I'm currently in the process of selling my desktop PC to replace it with a Core X Chroma, but was disappointed to learn that performance is unnecessarily (and quite severely) bottle-necked by the CPU remaining at 15W instead of bumping up to 25W as detailed in the following review: https://www.theeverydayenthusiast.com/post/review-egpu-with-the-razer-core-x-chroma-late-2019-razer-blade-stealth
Is Razer aware of this issue and is there a planned FW update to address this? At this point I kind of wish I hadn't spent the extra on the Max-Q model.
Cheers!

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The 13" 2019 is not available in Max Q Design? Unless you mean the one with the 1650 but that's without Max Q as far as I know. Which one do you have? The Blade Stealth or the 15" version? Because with the 15" version, a Core X doesn't add any value because the graphics card is too dampened. The internal one, no matter whether 1660 or from RTX 2060 is more powerful in the blade than the RTX 2070 in the Core X case? Or do I get it wrong again?
M-S-G
The 13" 2019 is not available in Max Q Design? Unless you mean the one with the 1650 but that's without Max Q as far as I know. Which one do you have? The Blade Stealth or the 15" version? Because with the 15" version, a Core X doesn't add any value because the graphics card is too dampened. The internal one, no matter whether 1660 or from RTX 2060 is more powerful in the blade than the RTX 2070 in the Core X case? Or do I get it wrong again?


It if indeed a 1650 Max-Q - check out the link in my post for all the info in regards to my question mate
Oh, okay. I see.
If you're not satisfied, we can switch. Got the Blade 13" with the proud MX 150. Yay 🙂
The thing is, with the 10th gen CPU the newer Stealth has the ability to work far better with eGPUs, but at the moment Razer has unnecessarily stifled that with the artificial limitation they've put in place. Luckily it can easily be rectified with a firmware update, I just wanted to see if Razer has publicly acknowledged the issue and if they're working on a fix. It's a shame, because it's the only thing preventing me from being very happy with my purchase...
Userlevel 7
NeoCrimsonNight
The thing is, with the 10th gen CPU the newer Stealth has the ability to work far better with eGPUs, but at the moment Razer has unnecessarily stifled that with the artificial limitation they've put in place. Luckily it can easily be rectified with a firmware update, I just wanted to see if Razer has publicly acknowledged the issue and if they're working on a fix. It's a shame, because it's the only thing preventing me from being very happy with my purchase...

If you play modern warfare, you’ll be thankful having 15 watt I think. I unlocked mine to run at its full potential (similar like 25 watt version on 2020 one), I was like what, when seeing the temperature. On other workload is actually fine only for some demanding titles it might not be ideal for some who doesn’t want seeing 90ish celcius cpu temperature. After reverted to default 15 watt I don’t see also performance difference but temperature is a lot better like on 70ish.
That is not egpu case btw, I didn’t test it yet but yes on egpu performance (according benchmark score) is lower but it’s covered by smooth experience due it’s new internal TB3 controller (less bandwidth than traditional predecessors).
So I kind of curious what kind of magic they bring on 2020 model especially for those who play modern warfare or similar type of whatever cpu temperature killer titles. But yes it’s nice if on egpu setting it can boost to 25 watt if there’s technology for that, the bios will always detect the gpu, doesn’t care if it’s d/egpu. That’s why we’re seeing a lot case that users reported by disabling dgpu they get better cpu performance since it runs on higher tdp (on my test it was not 25 watt but like 20 watt, on bios tweak it’s definitely 25 watt according benchmark).
That's it really, they just need to update the FW to be able to tell the difference between the dGPU and an eGPU - there shouldn't be issues with heat when upping the clock speed as the dGPU won't be used at all.
I heard that manually disabling the dGPU doesn't always work as intended - also, the whole reason I'm selling my desktop to replace with an eGPU is for convenience, having to go through that process every time totally defeats the purpose. It's something Razer should change on their end, especially as they encourage using an eGPU with the Stealth they should be able to properly support it.
The Core X is already 3 years old now, right? It came out in 2017. Will there be something new soon or will the Tomahawk appear here in the future?
Userlevel 7
NeoCrimsonNight
That's it really, they just need to update the FW to be able to tell the difference between the dGPU and an eGPU - there shouldn't be issues with heat when upping the clock speed as the dGPU won't be used at all.
I heard that manually disabling the dGPU doesn't always work as intended - also, the whole reason I'm selling my desktop to replace with an eGPU is for convenience, having to go through that process every time totally defeats the purpose. It's something Razer should change on their end, especially as they encourage using an eGPU with the Stealth they should be able to properly support it.

Yes I hope it’ll be options on synapse to be able to set tdp to 25 watt, but that’s all we can hope. I don’t know if it’s a simple bios setting, but I think since like I mentioned above on gaming with dgpu using 25 watt might bring hellfire temperature on some titles, and if user use it wrongly (without dgpu) it might bring another issues.
M-S-G
The Core X is already 3 years old now, right? It came out in 2017. Will there be something new soon or will the Tomahawk appear here in the future?

Core x was 2018 product, 2017 was Core v2, Core x chroma was 2019 product. Since we’re closing usb 4 with TB3 double bandwidth we don’t know yet if it’ll be other Razer core version, that’s only my opinion though but even yes you should also have usb 4 capable system which we don’t know it yet. And tomahawk is another story since it’s not TB3 enclosure, but a (mini) desktop so you can’t attach it with a system (laptop) since it’s independent compute system. However tomahawk seems to be released first half 2020 with 9th gen cpu but now we’re on 10th gen maybe due epidemics it’s delayed.
I don't think there should necessarily be a manual option as it could be dangerous with the dGPU as you said. Surely it'd be able to make the distinction between the dGPU and an eGPU though and adjust the maximum clock speed accordingly. A lot of people are buying the Stealth to use with an eGPU and are paying top dollar for it, imo it should be a priority for Razer...
Does anyone know if there have been any updates in regards this issue?
Userlevel 7
NeoCrimsonNight
Does anyone know if there have been any updates in regards this issue?

Razer didn’t advertise this model for 25 watt tdp only for mercury edition without dgpu, so users should manage it them selves like by removing power limit but with their own risk. However 15 watt cpu has a reason and depends use case might be useful, in my usage it has around up to 20 thermal improvement on some demanding titles compared to 25 watt tweak without big noticeable FPS difference, I preferred thermal on a laptop so after half year using 25 watt this month I mostly use 15 watt, and I find it’s nice to be able to choose, not sure if 2020 model can be tweaked to 15 for thermal reason without some noticeable performance drop.
Ideally I'd like it to automatically switch between 15W and 25W depending on whether the eGPU is plugged in or not (which would also be the safer option too), manually changing it in the BIOS is far from ideal, but do you know if there's a (late-2019 model) guide anywhere detailing how to do so?
It won't let me edit my post for some reason (access denied error) - but an easier alternative would be to just have the voltage ramp up to 25W if it's plugged into power. Not as convenient as having it switch depending on whether the eGPU is connected or not, but far more convenient than going into the BIOS every time.
Userlevel 6
NeoCrimsonNight
It won't let me edit my post for some reason (access denied error) - but an easier alternative would be to just have the voltage ramp up to 25W if it's plugged into power. Not as convenient as having it switch depending on whether the eGPU is connected or not, but far more convenient than going into the BIOS every time.


If you remove the power limits in the BIOS (which, as you've noted, is far from ideal and a bit risky) then you can use Throttlestop to set different profiles based on whether the laptop is plugged in or not. This is the solution I use for my early-2019 model with the MX150. Essentially, I have the dGPU always disabled and I only ever plug the laptop in using my eGPU, so I get a "power saver" style CPU performance while unplugged, and full CPU performance while hooked up to the eGPU. You can also program throttlestop with a temperature limit that reverts to a reduced profile when the CPU temperature reaches a certain point.

I refrained from using this tweak for a long time, but got frustrated with power limits inexplicably kicking in on my eGPU and killing performance. Something that scares me about this is my laptop is relying completely on software (Throttlestop) to manage its thermals, so what happens if Throttlestop loses support or no longer plays nicely? I often think about reverting the BIOS back to stock settings, but will probably stick with this until one more generation of the new Stealths is released.
Userlevel 7
NeoCrimsonNight
Ideally I'd like it to automatically switch between 15W and 25W depending on whether the eGPU is plugged in or not (which would also be the safer option too), manually changing it in the BIOS is far from ideal, but do you know if there's a (late-2019 model) guide anywhere detailing how to do so?

The main tweak was originally from MSI laptop power limit removal and this user applied on blade 15 which is also working on stealth early and late 2019.
Main thread
Result benchmarks and late 2019 bios value setting after moding.
As OP on main thread do it with your own risk, however I did back then in 2017 on Blade 14 and was also noob on such moding but it wasn’t as difficult as I thought, but again there’s still a risk.
Sorry, this forum won't let me quote people for some reason, but thank you @figrin1, that sounds like the most viable solution currently available to me. Is there a guide anywhere I can follow to ensure I'm setting it up in the correct way?

Thanks too @Joikansai, I did see that guide before, but it looks like there's a lot that could go wrong there and I don't feel comfortable with changing so many settings (especially if there's a key F/W update or something) + I haven't seen anyone say they've specifically implemented it on a late 2019 model.

I'm still frustrated Razer haven't addressed this issue to be honest - don't heavily market the Razer Core as a companion device to your Blade laptops if you're not going to properly support them... Is there any way I can talk directly to a Razer engineer? (I've already talked to a support agent and received a generic response)
Userlevel 7
NeoCrimsonNight
Sorry, this forum won't let me quote people for some reason, but thank you @figrin1, that sounds like the most viable solution currently available to me. Is there a guide anywhere I can follow to ensure I'm setting it up in the correct way?

Thanks too @Joikansai, I did see that guide before, but it looks like there's a lot that could go wrong there and I don't feel comfortable with changing so many settings (especially if there's a key F/W update or something) + I haven't seen anyone say they've specifically implemented it on a late 2019 model.

I'm still frustrated Razer haven't addressed this issue to be honest - don't heavily market the Razer Core as a companion device to your Blade laptops if you're not going to properly support them... Is there any way I can talk directly to a Razer engineer? (I've already talked to a support agent and received a generic response)

On second links there’re other 2 users outside me who did that. Yes I’d be lucky if I could talk with the engineers there’s tons things to discuss not only this:big_grin_: Unfortunately we can’t. However in gaming usage (non egpu setting) this 15 watt has actually decent temperature compared to 25 watt on 2020 model, on call of duty on was shocked seeing temperatures hitting mostly 90ish, unlike on default 15 watt without noticeable FPS difference, I’ll try again another titles like Witcher, SoTR, GTAV etc that are literally stressing more than nowadays cpu stress test softwares I know, but I think I saw other users 2020 testing games on YouTube and hitting like 80ish or close 90 which’s I don’t see so far on late 2019 gtx models, though it might be thermal paste job concern.
Userlevel 6
NeoCrimsonNight


I'm still frustrated Razer haven't addressed this issue to be honest - don't heavily market the Razer Core as a companion device to your Blade laptops if you're not going to properly support them... Is there any way I can talk directly to a Razer engineer? (I've already talked to a support agent and received a generic response)


I'm equally frustrated. They're well aware of this issue by now, and have remained silent about it. They either don't know how to disable the power limit when using an eGPU, it's not possible given the way their power limits are implemented (via the BIOS and Synapse), or they've decided not to put in the work.
In the past, I'm not feeling good that Razer gaves 25w CPU for 2020 1650Ti, 15w CPU for 2019 1650 Max-q, even though they have exactly the same CPU and cooling system. Until I saw a test result from youtube video
Cinebench 15 Single-Core
Razer 13 2020 1650Ti = 168
Razer 13 2019 1650 Max-q = 171
Dell XPS 13 9300 (i7-1065G7) = 180

Cinebench 15 Multi-Core
Razer 13 2020 1650Ti = 566
Razer 13 2019 1650 Max-q = 509
Dell XPS 13 9300 (i7-1065G7) = 760

So I think even though Razer advertised 25w CPU for 2020 model, but during the practical running, Razer still chose more safe/less power strategy for all of modules.
Userlevel 7
maleinet
In the past, I'm not feeling good that Razer gaves 25w CPU for 2020 1650Ti, 15w CPU for 2019 1650 Max-q, even though they have exactly the same CPU and cooling system. Until I saw a test result from youtube video
Cinebench 15 Single-Core
Razer 13 2020 1650Ti = 168
Razer 13 2019 1650 Max-q = 171
Dell XPS 13 9300 (i7-1065G7) = 180

Cinebench 15 Multi-Core
Razer 13 2020 1650Ti = 566
Razer 13 2019 1650 Max-q = 509
Dell XPS 13 9300 (i7-1065G7) = 760

So I think even though Razer advertised 25w CPU for 2020 model, but during the practical running, Razer still chose more safe/less power strategy for all of modules.

It’s because of gpu that comes with it, actually due lower cpu tdp late 2019 is significantly cooler than 2020 25 watt on gaming, I unlocked power limit to perform similar with 25 watt version with other 1067 icelake laptops. Cinebench 15 should be around 850cb multi and Cinebench 20 2000cb+, but on some titles it’ll easily hit 90ish CPUs temperature which isn’t great for this laptop cassis. XPS 13 has no gpu to cool so they can opt it to max cpu tdp like stealth 13 mercury without dgpu, however according to notebookcheck xps13 runs hot hitting 99 degrees when you stress the cpu doing some intensive tasks. I use the stealth late 2019 for work that doesn’t need cpu intensive tasks and mostly gaming so 15 watt with dgpu is sweet spot, though it’ll be nice if there’s creator mode that maxed CPU power and reduce or maybe disable gpu for cpu heavy users like photo editors or cinebench benchmarkers😅