Unsolved
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99
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
2 Intern
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284 Posts
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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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2 Posts
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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
2 Intern
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284 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
2 Intern
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284 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).