Hi All, thought I’d post some details related to ongoing performance issues with the current workaround I’m using for my framework laptop.
This has been a long journey with lots of trial and error to arrive at the current workaround.
Hope this helps anyone facing a similar issue.
Basic Machine Config:
Framework 13 / Intel i-Core7 11th gen
2TB SSD
64 GB Ram
I added 2 eGPU (Nvida GTX 1070s) and update bios/framework driver bundle when new versions ship and are stable.
Issue:
The laptop became unstable and started having performance issues which made it almost unusable, this started shortly after it was updated to Windows 11 via windows update some time ago.
Symptoms:
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Random screen stutter, general lag in visualizations.
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Machine becomes unresponsive at times.
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Continuous high CPU (holding above 80% spikes to 100%.
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Fan running high speed all the time.
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CPU temp high and hitting thermal throttle levels.
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Machine freeze when video streaming or in online meetings.
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Machine freeze started to happen more and more often.
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No identifiable log entries before freeze and random shutdown. Nothing helpful in the system/app logs, that seemed to be related.
Workaround:
Re-install framework driver bundle after any windows update attempt (success or failure) I get the bundle for my laptop here: Framework Laptop 13 BIOS and Driver Releases (11th Gen Intel® Core™)
I haven’t found a way to stop windows update from borking the current drivers installed. I’ve tried to disable and selected toggles to prevent driver updates but the instabilities continue to happen whenever Windows update runs and installs anything or when it fails to install at this point. As soon as I hear the fan kick up to high speed I’ll verify CPU behavior via task manager. Usually the machine is starting to become sluggish during this time. At that point I’ll re-install the framework driver bundle I have downloaded, after install and reboot (about 5 minutes) everything is back to normal. CPU in single digits (unless I’m working), fan is low speed, the machine is snappy and responsive.
I’ll follow up if there is way to lock in the framework drivers and prevent Windows Update from causing this issue.
I’d like to thank frame.work support for the help they could give during this investigation. Their questions help to rule out possible causes.
Further Details:
When this started I was doing some work that required fast visualization and online meetings along with real-time streaming. This is when I started noticing the issues after Windows 11 was installed. It’s been a peeling the onion sort of journey each fix made some small improvement or seemed to help anecdotally, but the issues would return on somewhat random basis.
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I noticed GPU bottlenecks happening and installed 2 eGPU enclosures using Thunderbolt connections to the laptop.
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Installed HWInfo64 and noticed CPU temps were not stable and higher than they should be. Used a desk fan to help cool and bring temps into a normal range.
Changed power settings to try and stabilize the system.
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Installed SSD monitoring software from the manufacture, scan and ensure no hardware issues.
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Ran diagnostics on hardware for faults or issues.
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Ran security scans for any issues offline/online.
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Noticed the laptop battery was having some issue, popped the case open and saw the cells bulging, replaced the battery.
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Replaced the power supply with a framework 100w.
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Upgraded CPU thermal pad from with framework pad. (CPU heat much better after this)
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Still freezing randomly, high speed fan, no log events, etc…
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Wiped and reinstalled windows from scratch.
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Installed framework bios and driver bundle, the machine stabilized at that point.
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A few days later the instability returned, when I reviewed the logs again I noticed Windows Update had run. I re-installed the framework driver bundle and the machine became stable again.
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Some time later I logged in and the machine was unstable, looking at the logs Windows Update had run again this time failing, after running Windows Update manually the machine was still unstable. Then I re-installed the framework driver bundle and the machine stabilized again.
I’ve repeated this process a few times and it’s always the same, machine starts acting up, check logs (windows update has run or tried to run) re-install framework driver bundle and things become stable again.
I hope this information helps other if they are having a similar issue.
If anyone knows how to stop Windows Update from stomping on the frame.work driver bundle I’m happy to give that a try for a more long-term fix.