Unsolved
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April 29th, 2025 08:50
XPS 8950, BD PROCHOT throttled to 400 MHz! CPU maxes out at 10%
I am posting here to reiterate a DEFINITE SOLUTION to an issue that was called Unresolved and closed 1 year ago.
Here's the original post:
The "fix" of downgrading from to BIOS version 1.10 WORKS! 100%. Even today.
I had this issue for 6 months, couldn't fix it, so bought another PC (not DELL because of this issue). Recently, I decided to try and revive my PC, since it's an XPS 8950 with i9-12700K, RX 6600 GTX over a system still work over $1000.
But it was stuck running CPU at 10% max. Using "HWMonitor" revealed all cores locked to 399 MHz! Using "ThrottleStop" revealed that I was receiving a non-ignorable "BD PROCHOT" signal forcing this slowdown!
I spent HOURS trying to fix this. Eventually, thought, "well maybe Dell didn't fix this issue yet, even in 1.25".
YEP, they did NOT. 1.25 BIOS for Dell XPS STILL has this issue that was first introduce by BIOS 1.11 2 years ago!
How to fix? Downgrade BIOS to 1.10.
Dell provides the installer still (although hard to get at it). Here is the link:
Here's the direct link:
https://dl.dell.com/FOLDER09334388M/1/XPS_8950_1.10.0_x64.exe
After you run this, restart your PC again, rapid pressing F2/F12 to go to BIOS settings where you should go to the "Security" tab and Disable the "UEFI capsule updates". Then in Windows 11, Update Settings, make sure you disable "Auto-install other Windows Products" to prevent Dell from changing your BIOS on you (and some say they do this).
In case the above download link ever gets removed, I kept a version of this 1.10 installer on my Google Drive:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/18H5n8fhKfFRF5KqN7JO-r6x5iyMxN_fI/view?usp=drive_link
Installed it and my PC IMMEDIATLEY was back to normal! Running at the full 4+ GHz.
DELL! If you are reading this, tell SOMEONE! Fix the 1.25 BIOS! This was TRAGIC.
Element115s4
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April 29th, 2025 14:35
I am wondering about the latest 8950 BIOS versions myself.
I am at v1.20 with no issues but not seeing a good reason to update it.
I thought Win11 24H2 might be but since that was forced on me by MS, it's running great and no reason to take a chance.
najak3d
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April 29th, 2025 22:15
@Element115s4 - to be clear, the bug that crippled my system originated in 1.11, and then has never been fixed. I suppose it's one of those issues that "either you have it or you don't". If you don't, then 1.25 is probably better than 1.11.
But also -- I agree with you -- "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
If I were you, I'd probably go with 1.25, because "more than likely" it's an improvement and protects you against some issue they've identified.
Element115s4
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294 Posts
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April 30th, 2025 13:42
@najak3d
I usually will wait on Windows to offer it when I am questioning the need for a BIOS update and that seems to be working for me.
Windows has not offered any since v1.20 and they are always optional.
I just think these are security fixes in the boot code and not that big of a deal for me.
Now, if they give me that option to turn off the Realtek onboard sound, I'd go for that.
I have been using nVidia's HD sound and just disabling the Realtek but I would just prefer no driver pollution in Windows.
Ah the joys of real sound codecs like Atmos, it's fantastic. :)
Element115s4
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294 Posts
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May 2nd, 2025 13:34
Well, seeing that bios v1.24 had some Win11 bios flash updates, I went ahead and applied it.
No issues and so I also applied v1.25 as well.
No issues and of course, still no option to turn off my onboard Realtek sound. :(
Since I have an RTX 5070FE on the way, I thought it best to be on a current bios and mine was a year old already.
I wonder if your 8950 was affected due to the i7 (I have a 12600K i5).
Alphonse2
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1 Message
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August 6th, 2025 00:40
Yay!!! Problem solved!. Like you I have spend countless hrs trying to solve this! With no help from Dell or its tools. This expensive desktop has been a boat anchor for going on 2 years now! !
Ten thank yous are not enough!
Come on Dell!! You should do better!
Element115s4
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294 Posts
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August 9th, 2025 12:43
@Alphonse2
Excellent and yes, sad that you had to resort to this yourself and Dell didn't seem to know how to fix it.
In defence of Dell, my XPS 8950 has been flawless from the start and being able to run a RTX 5070 FE, well......happy as a clam!
WaCoTex
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October 26th, 2025 00:57
I am still getting bit by this problem, and its been YEARS Dell! All it takes if for MS to conveniently change some settings then it updates my BIOs. After which I am running throttled until I downgrade.
Stuff like this has driven me to using my wife's Mac Mini M4 as a daily driver. I will NEVER recommend a Dell product as long as their engineers continue to ignore a crippling defect, and worse, continue to replicate that defect in several successive BIOS update. And my new Windows laptop? HP, thanks to your negligence.
Come on and fix this already! I shouldn't need to downgrade to a years old (less secure?) BIOS repeatedly when the bios gets accidentally update.
On the bright side, when I scrap this great computer that's being crippled by your firmware, I will be able to harvest the RAM, CPU and drives to make a rather nice Linux desktop or serve. That's right, your computers are now worth scrap to me.
(edited)
dummy
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76 Posts
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October 26th, 2025 01:40
@WaCoTex I finally fixed this problem permanently by changing the PSU! Another DELL owner had put that as THE solution for this problem on this forum elsewhere.
https://www.dell.com/community/en/conversations/xps-desktops/xps-8950-performance-sluggish-firmware-related/647fa1c2f4ccf8a8de710c68?commentId=67ffa538d6362f7d569cbf16
It was about $190 to get that PSU, actually, from DELL itself:
https://www.dell.com/en-us/shop/dell-1000w-power-supply/apd/cpx-rd0g0/power-supplies
Manufacturer part RD0G0 | Dell part CPX-RD0G0 | Order Code cpx-rd0g0 | Dell
(edited)
WaCoTex
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October 26th, 2025 03:07
Thats a pretty expensive fix now that its out from warranty, considering its THEIR defective hardware and software. I wonder if Ebay would be a better source?
Or just get a good PC bare-bones setup (case, power supply, motherboard which cost less combined than that dell power supply from the vendor!) and just gut the thing -- transplant the reusable bits (CPU, Memory, NVME drive, Nvidia graphics card). Maybe give the Dell carcass to a gun enthusiast, and let them use it for target practice?
WaCoTex
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4 Posts
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October 26th, 2025 03:19
Oh and by the way. the BIOS that got me was 1.28. (Un)Fortunately, from my previous struggles, I have copies of every IMG bios file from 1.2.1 thru 1.19.0 including the CHKSUM files. I also have the .exe for the 1.10.0 BIOS as well. It's rather sad that I have to keep those around. Well at least I learned one thing - you cannot trust Dell. I previously did, but no longer.
And most of what I found on EBay is priced to where you might as well buy from Dell if they offer a decent Warranty (exchange).
(edited)
dummy
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October 26th, 2025 10:31
Yes. eBay, at least at that time I was checking, seemed more expensive, and I had reward points to use on Dell, which made it less expensive to buy it there. Yes, we could cannibalize it and use the parts in another setup. I was not up to it and decided to keep it as a second PC and replaced it with a Precision 3680 (which is not perfect), but anyway, I suppose it is what it is. :-)