ASUS laptop recommended by LTT has major design flaw

[Squilliam]

LTT recommended the ASUS GA502DU as the budget gaming laptop to buy. I bought it shortly after...

 

This laptop and all other ASUS + AMD laptops have a major a BIOS design flaw. Ryzen chips permanently throttle down to 400MHz regardless of temp, OS, task, plugged in status, etc. I’m on RMA #2 for this exact issue, with no end in sight. DO NOT BUY AN ASUS DEVICE WITH AN AMD CHIP.

 

Edit: Since there are a few who doubt my claim, here are examples of folks with the issue:

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/cliicj/ryzen_7_2700u_throttled_at_400mhz/

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/denosy/asus_ga502du_gtx_1660ti_max_q_installed_new_ssd/

https://community.amd.com/thread/232252

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/961531-ryzen-7-2700u-stuck-at-04-ghz/

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Lenovo-Yoga-530-ryzen-7-2700-capped-at-400Mhz/td-p/4492957

https://www.cadalyst.com/%5Blevel-1-with-primary-path%5D/amd-ryzen-5-2500u-locked-400mhz-battery-43742

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-5-2500u-Vega-8-GPU-Clock-speeds-dropping/td-p/6962715

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-IdeaPad-1xx-3xx-5xx-7xx/Ideapad-330s-Ryzen-2500u-MAJOR-performance-problems-CPU-and-GPU/td-p/4281967

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/ryzen-5-2500u-clock-speed-locked.3411502/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/552094/hi-i-recently-bought-acer-nitro-5-ryzen-5-2500u-i-noticed-that-it-is-stuck-in-0-38-ghz

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1095205-ryzen-3750h-stuck-at-400mhz/ (Hey, look at that! This one is me!)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/c1zpse/amd_ryzen_7_3750h_throttling_help/

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/CPU-frequency-stuck-at-0-38GHz-on-battery/m-p/7044639#M257329

https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/df5nfk/zephyrus_g_ga502_thermal_throttling_down_to_400/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/578415/ryzen-2500u-stuck-at-400mhz

https://community.amd.com/thread/242576

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1859287#p1859287

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=248477

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-3-2200U-capped-at-400MHz-when-switched-on-using/td-p/6754256

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1830522

https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=203733

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forum.level1techs.com/t/laptop-ryzen-3750h-dropping-to-400mhz-in-linux-and-staying-there/148651

[desertcomputer]

A really bold statement to claim for all ASUS or AMD devices. Maybe just don't buy GA502DU until ASUS address/fix the issue. Why don't you take it back to retailer for a refund?

 

I have friends with AMD builds and old Asus laptop from 13 years ago and still working...

[SupaKomputa]

I say you just got unlucky bro.

If ASUS + AMD was a bad, thread like this would popup more often.

I guess you have an issue with the bios config. it could be a factory defect.

[Gegger]

Just now, SupaKomputa said:

I say you just got unlucky bro.

If ASUS + AMD was a bad, thread like this would popup more often.

I guess you have an issue with the bios config. it could be a factory defect.

considering that multiple people have had this issue, i would just stay away from the specific model, not all of the ryzen-based asus laptops

[Jurrunio]

Sample size of 1, caused by software that can be changed often. Sure it's something but not enough to say "never buy Asus laptop with AMD CPU", otherwise you can't buy anything. Warranties exist specifically to deal with error by the factory.

[SupaKomputa]

1 minute ago, Gegger said:

considering that multiple people have had this issue, i would just stay away from the specific model, not all of the ryzen-based asus laptops

So that model sucks, ok, but don't blame LTT for the recommendation.

[vanished]

I know someone with an ASUS AMD laptop that's working perfectly.  Either you have gotten unusually unlucky, or there's an issue with that whole model, but you definitely can't say that it's affecting all ASUS AMD laptops or it would be a well known issue by now.

 

I have a similar story with MSI and a bad display.  Wasn't mine personally but I was close to it.  Screen failed, developed some weird yellow regions, so we took it in for a replacement.  Eventually the replacement also went bad.  Took that in too but the replacement screen the store ordered was DOA and at that point they just gave up and swapped the laptop out for the newer model.  It's been perfect ever since.

[Ashley MLP Fangirl]

have you checked the bios version of the one's you had? and have you checked for an update that patches the issue if it does exist?

[Squilliam]

19 hours ago, Twilight said:

have you checked the bios version of the one's you had? and have you checked for an update that patches the issue if it does exist?

It has the latest BIOS. First RMA had them reinstalling BIOS, which did nothing.

 

22 hours ago, SupaKomputa said:

So that model sucks, ok, but don't blame LTT for the recommendation.

It's not the only model impacted by this design flaw.

 

22 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

Sample size of 1, caused by software that can be changed often. Sure it's something but not enough to say "never buy Asus laptop with AMD CPU", otherwise you can't buy anything. Warranties exist specifically to deal with error by the factory.

Not a sample size of 1. Do a Google search. It's widespread and has been occurring since the 2000 series Ryzen laptop chips released.

 

22 hours ago, Gegger said:

considering that multiple people have had this issue, i would just stay away from the specific model, not all of the ryzen-based asus laptops

The GA502DU isn't the only affected model.

 

22 hours ago, SupaKomputa said:

I say you just got unlucky bro.

If ASUS + AMD was a bad, thread like this would popup more often.

I guess you have an issue with the bios config. it could be a factory defect.

It hasn't "popped up" because you haven't looked for it. Everything you currently know or are aware of isn't all there is to know or be aware of.

 

22 hours ago, desertcomputer said:

A really bold statement to claim for all ASUS or AMD devices. Maybe just don't buy GA502DU until ASUS address/fix the issue. Why don't you take it back to retailer for a refund?

 

I have friends with AMD builds and old Asus laptop from 13 years ago and still working...

Best Buy doesn't accept returns, replacements, or refunds past 14 days. There are multiple ASUS laptop models impacted. All of which have AMD Ryzen chips. Not a bold statement. A fair warning.

[Squilliam]

22 hours ago, Jurrunio said:

Sample size of 1, caused by software that can be changed often. Sure it's something but not enough to say "never buy Asus laptop with AMD CPU", otherwise you can't buy anything. Warranties exist specifically to deal with error by the factory.

Since you so quickly assumed it's only me and I'm being unreasonable:

 

Device manufacturers so far impacted: Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, Dell, and HP.

Here are a few: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/cliicj/ryzen_7_2700u_throttled_at_400mhz/

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/denosy/asus_ga502du_gtx_1660ti_max_q_installed_new_ssd/

https://community.amd.com/thread/232252

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/961531-ryzen-7-2700u-stuck-at-04-ghz/

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Lenovo-Yoga-530-ryzen-7-2700-capped-at-400Mhz/td-p/4492957

https://www.cadalyst.com/%5Blevel-1-with-primary-path%5D/amd-ryzen-5-2500u-locked-400mhz-battery-43742

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-5-2500u-Vega-8-GPU-Clock-speeds-dropping/td-p/6962715

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-IdeaPad-1xx-3xx-5xx-7xx/Ideapad-330s-Ryzen-2500u-MAJOR-performance-problems-CPU-and-GPU/td-p/4281967

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/ryzen-5-2500u-clock-speed-locked.3411502/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/552094/hi-i-recently-bought-acer-nitro-5-ryzen-5-2500u-i-noticed-that-it-is-stuck-in-0-38-ghz

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1095205-ryzen-3750h-stuck-at-400mhz/ (Hey, look at that! This one is me!)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/c1zpse/amd_ryzen_7_3750h_throttling_help/

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/CPU-frequency-stuck-at-0-38GHz-on-battery/m-p/7044639#M257329

https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/df5nfk/zephyrus_g_ga502_thermal_throttling_down_to_400/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/578415/ryzen-2500u-stuck-at-400mhz

https://community.amd.com/thread/242576

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1859287#p1859287

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=248477

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-3-2200U-capped-at-400MHz-when-switched-on-using/td-p/6754256

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1830522

https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=203733

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forum.level1techs.com/t/laptop-ryzen-3750h-dropping-to-400mhz-in-linux-and-staying-there/148651

[Jurrunio]

1 hour ago, Squilliam said:

Since you so quickly assumed it's only me and I'm being unreasonable:

 

Device manufacturers so far impacted: Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, Dell, and HP.

Here are a few: 

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/cliicj/ryzen_7_2700u_throttled_at_400mhz/

https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/denosy/asus_ga502du_gtx_1660ti_max_q_installed_new_ssd/

https://community.amd.com/thread/232252

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/961531-ryzen-7-2700u-stuck-at-04-ghz/

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-Yoga-Series-Notebooks/Lenovo-Yoga-530-ryzen-7-2700-capped-at-400Mhz/td-p/4492957

https://www.cadalyst.com/%5Blevel-1-with-primary-path%5D/amd-ryzen-5-2500u-locked-400mhz-battery-43742

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-5-2500u-Vega-8-GPU-Clock-speeds-dropping/td-p/6962715

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/Lenovo-IdeaPad-1xx-3xx-5xx-7xx/Ideapad-330s-Ryzen-2500u-MAJOR-performance-problems-CPU-and-GPU/td-p/4281967

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/ryzen-5-2500u-clock-speed-locked.3411502/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/552094/hi-i-recently-bought-acer-nitro-5-ryzen-5-2500u-i-noticed-that-it-is-stuck-in-0-38-ghz

https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/1095205-ryzen-3750h-stuck-at-400mhz/ (Hey, look at that! This one is me!)

https://www.reddit.com/r/AMDHelp/comments/c1zpse/amd_ryzen_7_3750h_throttling_help/

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Software-and-How-To-Questions/CPU-frequency-stuck-at-0-38GHz-on-battery/m-p/7044639#M257329

https://www.reddit.com/r/ASUS/comments/df5nfk/zephyrus_g_ga502_thermal_throttling_down_to_400/

https://community.acer.com/en/discussion/578415/ryzen-2500u-stuck-at-400mhz

https://community.amd.com/thread/242576

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?pid=1859287#p1859287

https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=248477

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Ryzen-3-2200U-capped-at-400MHz-when-switched-on-using/td-p/6754256

https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux/+bug/1830522

https://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=203733

https://www.dell.com/community/Inspiron/Laptop-Throttling/td-p/6133484

https://forum.level1techs.com/t/laptop-ryzen-3750h-dropping-to-400mhz-in-linux-and-staying-there/148651

and how many Ryzen laptops got sold in total? I'm not saying higher software stability isn't a reason to ditch Ryzen and go Intel Core (especially when Ryzen laptop tops at quad cores), but that's still very far from saying "this brand of CPU all suck".

 

appreciate the effort in doing research btw, many dont even do that

[Squilliam]

10 minutes ago, Jurrunio said:

and how many Ryzen laptops got sold in total? I'm not saying higher software stability isn't a reason to ditch Ryzen and go Intel Core (especially when Ryzen laptop tops at quad cores), but that's still very far from saying "this brand of CPU all suck".

 

appreciate the effort in doing research btw, many dont even do that

It isn't just software stability... It's plain use of the laptop. 

4 cores always at .39Ghz is completely unusable. 

 

How many people don't post laptop issues on the internet?

How many people don't know how to identify what the issue is?

 

I did not say "this brand of CPU all suck."

I said "This laptop and all other ASUS + AMD laptops have a major a BIOS design flaw." 

 

It is a widespread issue. 2200U, 2500U, 2700U, and 3750H chips are all affected.

 

You're still in denial that there's a major issue, and don't want to be wrong on the internet. Original.

 

 

[genexis_x]

On 10/24/2019 at 12:54 PM, Squilliam said:

all other ASUS + AMD laptops

This is your assumption?

On 10/24/2019 at 12:54 PM, Squilliam said:

DO NOT BUY AN ASUS DEVICE WITH AN AMD CHIP.

I would not recommend anyone buying Asus AMD gaming laptops. Not because of this, but the cooling and Asus QC+QA really suck

 

I believe the reason why it will stuck at 400MHz is because of some sort of thermal throttling trigger in some models, which will put the CPU/APU to extreme low power when it's overheating (usually can recover after restart)

 

In the end, I think this is just a BIOS/firmware/software/driver issue, which is not impossible to be fixed.

 

And to mods in LTT forum, if this is going off topic (eg insulting others) please close the topic, thanks

[Jurrunio]

58 minutes ago, Squilliam said:

It isn't just software stability... It's plain use of the laptop. 

4 cores always at .39Ghz is completely unusable. 

but it is a software problem. If it's hardware, then desktop CPUs based on the same architecture will do the same.

 

58 minutes ago, Squilliam said:

How many people don't post laptop issues on the internet?

How many people don't know how to identify what the issue is?

not enough for AMD to release public statement? Similar happening to desktops lead to AGESA updates specifically naming issues they solve, but never on laptop. Cant find actual numbers apart from a source saying "double Ryzen mobile CPUs shipped in 2018 Q2 versus Q1" which is near completely useless.

 

58 minutes ago, Squilliam said:

I did not say "this brand of CPU all suck."

I said "This laptop and all other ASUS + AMD laptops have a major a BIOS design flaw." 

 

It is a widespread issue. 2200U, 2500U, 2700U, and 3750H chips are all affected.

2 hours ago, Squilliam said:

Lenovo, Acer, ASUS, Dell, and HP.

You know that these 5 are the largest Ryzen laptop brands right? If all 5 have problems with their Ryzen laptops, then other brands selling Ryzen laptops don't have problems reported is simply caused by them not selling enough units and logically, Ryzen mobile CPUs all suck due to the chance of developing such fault.

 

58 minutes ago, Squilliam said:

You're still in denial that there's a major issue, and don't want to be wrong on the internet. Original.

We're the same on that matter if it's true

[Wellingtonzed]

Really, everytime you buy a laptop your rolling the dice. 

 

Yes, Asus does have some quality control issues. I bought a GA 502 too and the first one i got had a hardware issue as Ram wouldn't be recognized. 

 

Once i got the second one, its been working fine. For some people itll suck, for me, i suspect this thing will keep going for some years. 

Your rolling the dice, Asus just happens to have a higher chance of flunking out. 

 

Try and update your bios, but otherwise you might have to return it again. 

[Squilliam]

On 10/26/2019 at 4:30 PM, Wellingtonzed said:

Really, everytime you buy a laptop your rolling the dice. 

 

Yes, Asus does have some quality control issues. I bought a GA 502 too and the first one i got had a hardware issue as Ram wouldn't be recognized. 

 

Once i got the second one, its been working fine. For some people itll suck, for me, i suspect this thing will keep going for some years. 

Your rolling the dice, Asus just happens to have a higher chance of flunking out. 

 

Try and update your bios, but otherwise you might have to return it again. 

The BIOS has had the August (newest) version since before the first RMA. 

It's literally an AMD chip design bug.

[Rkes608]

@Squilliam   I'm looking into the ga502 issues atm as I brought the laptop not knowing these issues. Using Ryzen controller to lower the max temp has given me a temp fix and Asus is looking into replicating and hopefully fixing it for the ga502.

 

I also noticed though that on mine it only throttles down on heavy workloads. So rdr2 for example I need to apply the fix as it causes the cpu to thermal throttle down to 400 Mhz (for rdr 2 I use 68/69 max temp in ryzen controller) 

 

But in csgo (which is a easy game to run I'll say that) plays fine on the nvidia geforce experience recommended settings 100+ fps. 

 

See if that helps you atm.