CPU using only 2 cores out of 4 during games

SKILL1 · Oct 15, 2017

I have an Intel Core i5-5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz.

In the task manager I've got
Maximum Speed: 2.40 GHz
Sockets: 1
Cores: 2
Logical Processors: 4
Virtualization Disabled
Hyper V support: Yes
L1 cache: 128KB
L2 cache: 512 MB
L3 cache: 3.0 MB

During normal usage of laptop all the 4 cores work properly. When I start playing a game, like FIFA 18 for instance, the game runs fine for some time and suddenly lags a lot. When I used MSI Afterburner to look at the stats during a game, I found out that at the start all the cpus work fine and after a few minutes only 2 cpus work and the other 2 cpus go to 0% usage, that's when the heavy lag starts.

Can someone please help me make use of all my CPUs during the game?

Update: During the game I opened my task manager to check out how my CPUs were doing, I found out that CPU0, CPU1 were working just fine but CPU2 and CPU3 are showing parked. What should I do now to use all my cores? I found out that you can unpark your CPUs but is it safe? Can someone please help me out?

PS: All my drivers are up to date. I've even tried to go to Boot options and select the number of processors to 4 but with no luck.

RaDiKaL_ · Oct 15, 2017

Only time I've seen a CPU stop using some of its threads/cores was on a PC due to a weak PSU. Being yours a laptop (as long as you have it directly connected to a power surge + on high performance power profile) this shouldn't be the case.

Another possibility could be overheating, however in this case its more usual to see your CPU frequency being dropped down rather than shutting down 1 core, still, monitor your temps and check also your CPU frequency.

geofelt · Oct 15, 2017

Check to see if dust has accumulated in your cooler.
It is a problem with laptops.
Under load, the heat builds up and the cpu must throttle to keep temperatures under control.

SKILL1 · Oct 16, 2017

RaDiKaL_ :

If overheating were the issue could you please tell me why only my laptop is getting affected by it? My friends with lesser graphic card than mine are able to run the game smoothly, their laptops get really heated up so they have to crank up the AC in the room a bit but their CPUs run fine. My laptop doesn't heat up that much while playing the game. Also I had my laptop cleaned at the service center, but even after that 2 of my CPUs stop during a game.

SKILL1 · Oct 16, 2017

geofelt :

I thought so too, so I had my laptop cleaned at the service center but with no luck.

geofelt · Oct 16, 2017

I have no idea why your cores are parked.
Possibly it is some game optimization that only needs two threads.
In some cases running two threads is more efficient.
Look at game patches.

I see no reason why you should not unpark the threads.

SKILL1 · Oct 17, 2017

geofelt :

http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-3544569/disable-core-parking-windows.html
I tried everything to unpark my cores with no result whatsoever. Can you please help?

Mohan_27 · Oct 17, 2017

SKILL1 :

I have an Intel Core i5-5200U CPU @ 2.20GHz.

In the task manager I've got
Maximum Speed: 2.40 GHz
Sockets: 1
Cores: 2
Logical Processors: 4
Virtualization Disabled
Hyper V support: Yes
L1 cache: 128KB
L2 cache: 512 MB
L3 cache: 3.0 MB

During normal usage of laptop all the 4 cores work properly. When I start playing a game, like FIFA 18 for instance, the game runs fine for some time and suddenly lags a lot. When I used MSI Afterburner to look at the stats during a game, I found out that at the start all the cpus work fine and after a few minutes only 2 cpus work and the other 2 cpus go to 0% usage, that's when the heavy lag starts.

Can someone please help me make use of all my CPUs during the game?

Update: During the game I opened my task manager to check out how my CPUs were doing, I found out that CPU0, CPU1 were working just fine but CPU2 and CPU3 are showing parked. What should I do now to use all my cores? I found out that you can unpark your CPUs but is it safe? Can someone please help me out?

PS: All my drivers are up to date. I've even tried to go to Boot options and select the number of processors to 4 but with no luck.

Turn your system to 'high performance' under power options then restart your system. The cores should be unparked.

If that didnt work than try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKxZ1mq9KA

SKILL1 · Oct 17, 2017

Mohan_27 :

SKILL1 :

Turn your system to 'high performance' under power options then restart your system. The cores should be unparked.

If that didnt work than try this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKxZ1mq9KA

Yea I tried using the app to unpark, changed the regedit values, put it on high performance with no result. I have literally tried everything. My friend with the same specs as mine is able to run the game and all his cores are running without any problem. Is there any BIOS setting I need to change for unparking the cores?

geofelt · Oct 17, 2017

You should be running plugged in for maximum performance.
If windows thinks it is on battery power, it will run using reduced resources.
Possibly your battery is failing and is no longer passing through full power when plugged in
causing windows to think it is on battery power.

In windows power management, try setting all the options to 100% full cpu usage, and the minimum at 100% also.

Do this for all profiles, balanced, performance, as well as power saver.

SKILL1 · Oct 17, 2017

geofelt :

Already did that. Somehow two CPUs are getting parked always after a few minutes.

jatinr · Oct 20, 2017

SKILL1 :

geofelt :

Already did that. Somehow two CPUs are getting parked always after a few minutes.

Same problem with my laptop fo you find any solution

SKILL1 · Oct 20, 2017

jatinr :

SKILL1 :

Same problem with my laptop fo you find any solution

Nope. Nobody is able to find an answer.

jatinr · Oct 20, 2017

I have checked that gta v is working good in power saving mode while in balanced mode it starting parking the cores
Plz check your too
I m using amd r5 m330 gpu

SKILL1 · Oct 20, 2017

jatinr :

I had no problem in GTA V. It used to run fine back then, so I never checked the cores. Now when I try playing FIFA 18 the cores get parked. I have the same gpu as you. Power saving didn't work and neither did any of the other Battery modes even though I maximized the cpu usage in all of them. Maybe its a gpu related problem which is why it is parking the cores.

jatinr · Nov 17, 2017

SKILL1 :

jatinr :

I had no problem in GTA V. It used to run fine back then, so I never checked the cores. Now when I try playing FIFA 18 the cores get parked. I have the same gpu as you. Power saving didn't work and neither did any of the other Battery modes even though I maximized the cpu usage in all of them. Maybe its a gpu related problem which is why it is parking the cores.

Found Any solution bro
email me

Mohan_27 · Dec 4, 2017

SKILL1 :

Mohan_27 :

Yea I tried using the app to unpark, changed the regedit values, put it on high performance with no result. I have literally tried everything. My friend with the same specs as mine is able to run the game and all his cores are running without any problem. Is there any BIOS setting I need to change for unparking the cores?

In my BIOS there are options at allow cores to be enabled or disable when booting, as all BIOS interfaces are different, im not so sure where to navigate to in order to find this. Just look around, there should be an option.

jatinr · Dec 7, 2017

@SKILL1 which OS do you use ?
i use Windows 8.1 and i encuntered that when cpu temperature is above 75 Degrees the Cores get parked
if i reduce my cpu clock speed no coreparking is seen
but game is laggy at that time

SKILL1 · Dec 7, 2017

jatinr :

I'm on Windows 10. I actually started encountering this problem after I upgraded to it. Even I think the problem might be overheating, but that shouldn't be the reason as my friend's laptop heats up way too much than mine and he is still able to play the game smoothly. How did you manage to reduce your cpu clock speed?

SKILL1 · Dec 7, 2017

Mohan_27 :

SKILL1 :

Mohan_27 :

Yea I tried using the app to unpark, changed the regedit values, put it on high performance with no result. I have literally tried everything. My friend with the same specs as mine is able to run the game and all his cores are running without any problem. Is there any BIOS setting I need to change for unparking the cores?

In my BIOS there are options at allow cores to be enabled or disable when booting, as all BIOS interfaces are different, im not so sure where to navigate to in order to find this. Just look around, there should be an option.

I checked, there is no option remotely close to CPU or core settings.

Mohan_27 · Dec 7, 2017

SKILL1 :

Mohan_27 :

SKILL1 :

In my BIOS there are options at allow cores to be enabled or disable when booting, as all BIOS interfaces are different, im not so sure where to navigate to in order to find this. Just look around, there should be an option.

I checked, there is no option remotely close to CPU or core settings.

What are your temps? Idle and when playing games.

arun24nair · Feb 11, 2018

Mohan_27 :

SKILL1 :

Mohan_27 :

SKILL1 :

In my BIOS there are options at allow cores to be enabled or disable when booting, as all BIOS interfaces are different, im not so sure where to navigate to in order to find this. Just look around, there should be an option.

I checked, there is no option remotely close to CPU or core settings.

What are your temps? Idle and when playing games.

arun24nair · Feb 11, 2018

I too have the same problem.....my processor being in 5500u....is an ultra power saving processor. If the temperature rises above 65 degree C,
2 cores are parked and the rest 2 are on 99% load which makes total cpu utilization as 50%. Also the clock speeds get stuck at the base clock
I. e 2.39GHZ. If you try to lower max cpu state in your power plan to 70 to 80 percent and somehow keeping the temperatures low, this problem wont occur . Though your game will lose 3 to 4 fps, it won't lag or freeze.

CPU using only 2 cores out of 4 during games

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