Set CPU temperature throttle threshold on Ubuntu/Thinkpad

I receive following error messages a couple of times per hour:

08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU0: Core temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2234)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU2: Core temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2234)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU1: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2695)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU3: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2695)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU2: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2695)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU0: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 2695)
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU2: Core temperature/speed normal
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU0: Core temperature/speed normal
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU3: Package temperature/speed normal
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU1: Package temperature/speed normal
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU0: Package temperature/speed normal
08.03.18 21:27  kernel  CPU2: Package temperature/speed normal

Hardware spec:

ThinkPad X1 Yoga 2nd
N1NET33W (1.20 )
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-7600U CPU @ 2.80GHz
Production date 2017.11

Software:

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 17.10
Release:        17.10
Codename:       artful
Linux 4.13.0-36-generic #40-Ubuntu SMP Fri Feb 16 20:07:48 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Bios:

I set both battery and AC to performance in my BIOS settings, the BIOS is up to date.

What is the problem

The problem is that a threshold of CPU temperature is hit quite too early, it happens around 75°C, even though the CPU is allowed to reach up to 100°C. The temperature never goes higher than 85°C. So the CPU power gets throttled so fast.

I don't know if I may have a manufacturer hardware issue regarding inadequate thermal paste, or if it is software related. Before I send it to Lenovo I want to be sure it's not a self-made problem.

Stats

When I run a stress test

stress -c 4 -t 300

the error message happens almost instantly.

i7z gives following output:

Cpu speed from cpuinfo 2903.00Mhz
cpuinfo might be wrong if cpufreq is enabled. To guess correctly try estimating via tsc
Linux's inbuilt cpu_khz code emulated now
True Frequency (without accounting Turbo) 2903 MHz
  CPU Multiplier 29x || Bus clock frequency (BCLK) 100.10 MHz

Socket [0] - [physical cores=2, logical cores=4, max online cores ever=2]
  TURBO ENABLED on 2 Cores, Hyper Threading ON
  Max Frequency without considering Turbo 3003.10 MHz (100.10 x [30])
  Max TURBO Multiplier (if Enabled) with 1/2/3/4 Cores is  39x/39x/39x/39x
  Real Current Frequency 3187.97 MHz [100.10 x 31.85] (Max of below)
        Core [core-id]  :Actual Freq (Mult.)      C0%   Halt(C1)%  C3 %   C6 %  Temp      VCore
        Core 1 [0]:       3187.97 (31.85x)      99.9       0       0       0    85      1.0037
        Core 2 [1]:       3187.97 (31.85x)      99.9       0       0       0    84      1.0037           


C0 = Processor running without halting
C1 = Processor running with halts (States >C0 are power saver modes with cores idling)
C3 = Cores running with PLL turned off and core cache turned off
C6, C7 = Everything in C3 + core state saved to last level cache, C7 is deeper than C6
  Above values in table are in percentage over the last 1 sec
[core-id] refers to core-id number in /proc/cpuinfo
'Garbage Values' message printed when garbage values are read
  Ctrl+C to exit

As said, it never exceeds the 85 Temp, yet the CPU gets throttled.

sensors shows following output

iwlwifi-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +30.0°C  

pch_skylake-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +52.0°C  

acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1:        +56.0°C  (crit = +98.0°C)

thinkpad-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
fan1:        5859 RPM

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Package id 0:  +59.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 0:        +59.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)
Core 1:        +58.0°C  (high = +100.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)

But the high-setting probably has no effect.

thermald

So I've played around with thermald then.

This is my adjusted configuration that I've found here:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<ThermalConfiguration>
   <Platform>
      <Name>Use Fan control first then CPU throttle</Name>
      <ProductName>*</ProductName>
      <Preference>QUIET</Preference>
      <ThermalZones>
         <ThermalZone>
            <Type>x86_pkg_temp</Type>
            <TripPoints>
               <TripPoint>
                  <SensorType>x86_pkg_temp</SensorType>
                  <Temperature>90000</Temperature>
                  <type>passive</type>
                  <ControlType>SEQUENTIAL</ControlType>
                  <CoolingDevice>
                     <type>_fan_</type>
                  </CoolingDevice>
               </TripPoint>
            </TripPoints>
         </ThermalZone>
      </ThermalZones>
      <CoolingDevices>
         <CoolingDevice>
            <Type>_fan_</Type>
            <Path>/sys/bus/platform/devices/thinkpad_hwmon/pwm1</Path>
            <MinState>100</MinState>
            <MaxState>255</MaxState>
            <IncDecStep>50</IncDecStep>
            <DebouncePeriod>10</DebouncePeriod>
         </CoolingDevice>
      </CoolingDevices>
   </Platform>
</ThermalConfiguration>

This makes no real difference, but I can see threshold settings at least (the last lines):

╰─ sudo thermald --no-daemon --loglevel=info

NO RAPL sysfs present 
22 CPUID levels; family:model:stepping 0x6:8e:9 (6:142:9)
Running on a vanilla kernel
Polling mode is enabled: 4
sensor_update: type x86_pkg_temp
sensor_update: type pch_skylake
sensor_update: type iwlwifi
sensor_update: type acpitz
thd_read_default_thermal_sensors loaded 4 sensors 
dts /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/name doesn't exist
dts /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon3/name doesn't exist
failed to open /dev/acpi_thermal_rel 
failed to open /dev/acpi_thermal_rel 
TRT/ART read failed
 Dumping parsed XML Data
 *** Index 0 ***
Name: UseFancontrolfirstthenCPUthrottle
UUID: 
type: 0
        Zone 0 
         Name: x86_pkg_temp
                 Trip Point 0 
                  temp 90000 
                  trip type 2 
                  hyst id 0 
                  sensor type x86_pkg_temp 
                  cdev index 0 
                          type _fan_ 
                          influence 0 
                          SamplingPeriod 0 
        Cooling Dev 0 
                Type: _fan_
                Path: /sys/bus/platform/devices/thinkpad_hwmon/pwm1
                Min: 100
                Max: 255
                Step: 50
                AutoDownControl: 0
Product Name matched [wildcard]
sensor index:3 x86_pkg_temp /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone3/ Async:1 
sensor index:1 pch_skylake /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone1/ Async:0 
sensor index:2 iwlwifi /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone2/ Async:0 
sensor index:0 acpitz /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/ Async:0 
sensor index:4 hwmon /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/temp1_input Async:0 
sensor index:5 hwmon /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/temp2_input Async:0 
sensor index:6 hwmon /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/temp3_input Async:0 
thd_read_default_cooling devices loaded 4 cdevs 
powercap RAPL no long term time window
Use Default pstate drv settings
Product Name matched [wildcard]
3: Processor, C:0 MN: 0 MX:10 ST:1 pt:/sys/class/thermal/ rd_bk 0 
1: Processor, C:0 MN: 0 MX:10 ST:1 pt:/sys/class/thermal/ rd_bk 0 
2: Processor, C:0 MN: 0 MX:10 ST:1 pt:/sys/class/thermal/ rd_bk 0 
0: Processor, C:0 MN: 0 MX:10 ST:1 pt:/sys/class/thermal/ rd_bk 0 
4: intel_pstate, C:0 MN: 0 MX:10 ST:1 pt:/sys/devices/system/cpu/intel_pstate/ rd_bk 1 
5: _fan_, C:255 MN: 100 MX:255 ST:50 pt:/sys/bus/platform/devices/thinkpad_hwmon/pwm1 rd_bk 1 
6: LCD, C:0 MN: 0 MX:1060 ST:106 pt:/sys/class/backlight/intel_backlight/ rd_bk 1 
Sorted trip dump zone index:1 type:pch_skylake:
index 0: type:critical temp:115000 hyst:1 zone id:1 sensor id:1 cdev size:0
trip type: 0 temp: 115000 
Sorted trip dump zone index:0 type:acpitz:
index 0: type:critical temp:98000 hyst:1 zone id:0 sensor id:0 cdev size:0
trip type: 0 temp: 98000 
thd_read_default_thermal_zones loaded 2 zones 
zone cpu will be created 
dts zone /sys/devices/platform/coretemp.0/name doesn't exist
/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon4/name->iwlwifi
/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon2/name->pch_skylake
/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon0/name->acpitz
dts zone /sys/class/hwmon/hwmon3/name doesn't exist
/sys/class/hwmon/hwmon1/name->coretemp
Buggy max temp: to close to critical 90000
Core temp DTS :critical 100000, max 90000, psv 95000
node type: Element, name: CoolingDevice value: rapl_controller
node type: Element, name: CoolingDevice value: intel_pstate
node type: Element, name: CoolingDevice value: intel_powerclamp
node type: Element, name: CoolingDevice value: cpufreq
node type: Element, name: CoolingDevice value: Processor
CDEVS order specified in thermal-cpu-cdev-order.xml
Sorted trip dump zone index:4 type:cpu:
index 0: type:passive temp:95000 hyst:0 zone id:4 sensor id:65535 cdev size:2
cdev[0] intel_pstate
cdev[1] Processor
trip type: 2 temp: 95000 
Product Name matched [wildcard]
zone x86_pkg_temp bounded 
Sorted trip dump zone index:5 type:x86_pkg_temp:
index 0: type:passive temp:90000 hyst:0 zone id:5 sensor id:3 cdev size:1
cdev[0] _fan_
trip type: 2 temp: 90000 
Zone 1: pch_skylake, Active:0 Bind:0 Sensor_cnt:1
..sensors.. 
sensor index:1 pch_skylake /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone1/ Async:0 
..trips.. 
index 0: type:critical temp:115000 hyst:1 zone id:1 sensor id:1 cdev size:0
Zone 0: acpitz, Active:0 Bind:0 Sensor_cnt:1
..sensors.. 
sensor index:0 acpitz /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone0/ Async:0 
..trips.. 
index 0: type:critical temp:98000 hyst:1 zone id:0 sensor id:0 cdev size:0
Zone 4: cpu, Active:1 Bind:0 Sensor_cnt:1
..sensors.. 
sensor index:3 x86_pkg_temp /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone3/ Async:1 
..trips.. 
index 0: type:passive temp:95000 hyst:0 zone id:4 sensor id:65535 cdev size:2
cdev[0] intel_pstate
cdev[1] Processor
index 1: type:polling temp:90000 hyst:0 zone id:4 sensor id:3 cdev size:0
Zone 5: x86_pkg_temp, Active:1 Bind:1 Sensor_cnt:1
..sensors.. 
sensor index:3 x86_pkg_temp /sys/class/thermal/thermal_zone3/ Async:1 
..trips.. 
index 0: type:passive temp:90000 hyst:0 zone id:5 sensor id:3 cdev size:1
cdev[0] _fan_
index 1: type:polling temp:85000 hyst:0 zone id:5 sensor id:3 cdev size:0
FD = 7
Current user preference is 0
thd_engine_thread begin
Set : threshold:90000, temperature:53000, cdev:5(_fan_), curr_state:205, max_state:255
Set : threshold:90000, temperature:57000, cdev:5(_fan_), curr_state:155, max_state:255
Set : threshold:90000, temperature:85000, cdev:5(_fan_), curr_state:105, max_state:255
Set : threshold:90000, temperature:85000, cdev:5(_fan_), curr_state:100, max_state:255

Final thoughts/questions

• Is it possible to set the CPU temperature threshold?
• Is it meant to be set at all or is this BIOS/hardware related?
• May my hardware (thermal paste) be defect?
• Or did I maybe analysed something completely wrong?

Update #1

After diving deeper into this topic and reading several articles regarding Intel's CPU throttling and other posts facing same (or just slight different) issues on other operating systems and kernels, I came to the conclusion that my laptop may be not misbehaving as I thought it would.

Though the kernel-messages are still bizarre, but the reason could be a wrong kernel printk level or whatsoever. I also retrieve those messages when my CPU package temperature is around +52.0°C and CPU frequency just 1200MHz. This just does not make any sense at all.

When testing my laptop with stress-tests I can see the error messages, but in fact the CPUs don't get throttled. If I test 1 core only, I get full turbo boost speed of 3,900MHz. Testing all 4 cores reduces the maximum frequency to ~3,300MHz. Which is the expected behavior.

So I'll just put this issue aside - unless someone here may provide more insides.

Update #2

No changes after updating the system:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 18.04 LTS
Release:        18.04
Codename:       bionic
Linux4.15.0-20-generic #21-Ubuntu SMP Tue Apr 24 06:16:15 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

Update #3

No changes after updating the system:

Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 18.10
Release:        18.10
Codename:       cosmic
Linux x1 4.18.0-13-generic #14-Ubuntu SMP Wed Dec 5 09:04:24 UTC 2018 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

So my final assumption is that the logs are highly likely bogus or that the log-level is mis-configured. Because my laptop just works fine, nor does it get throttled, neither is it overheating.

Still, if anyone has a hunch how this could be fixed, feel free to answer :-)

Update #4

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 19.04
Release:        19.04
Codename:       disco

Linux cw-x1 5.0.0-13-generic #14-Ubuntu SMP Mon Apr 15 14:59:14 UTC 2019 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

I am still getting the threshold throttling messages.

Update #5

Same results with a fresh 19.10 installation:

No LSB modules are available.
Distributor ID: Ubuntu
Description:    Ubuntu 19.10
Release:        19.10
Codename:       eoan

I just found a post that states that this issue is even not fixed with the brand new X1 Extreme 2nd Gen.

For the sake of fellow people who are thinking about buying the notebook I have, here are some issues I am facing besides:

• Touch screen not functioning properly
• Fingerprint not working
• Hibernate is only successful occasionally
• Switching between different working environments (office and home office) mostly never works due to graphic issues
• In general a lot of problems with multiple monitors
• Hard drive swapping occurs even though plenty of free RAM is available
• General and various issues with kscreen und xrandr

So, I guess I will surrender now and move to HP or Dell. For a laptop of ~2500€ I really do not want to have these kind of issues :-(

Update #6

Fun fact: I just received my Dell Precision 5540 with an Intel Core i9-9980HK yesterday.. and guess what..

11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU9: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412597)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU5: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412165)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU13: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412647)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU1: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412648)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU15: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412378)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU7: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412669)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU0: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412669)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU8: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412625)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU11: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412668)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU4: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412102)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU2: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412669)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU6: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412669)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU3: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412208)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU14: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412661)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU12: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 411001)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU10: Package temperature above threshold, cpu clock throttled (total events = 412663)
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU9: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU5: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU2: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU15: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU1: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU10: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU7: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU13: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU8: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU11: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU0: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU4: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU3: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU12: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU14: Package temperature/speed normal
11.12.19 22:11  kernel  mce: CPU6: Package temperature/speed normal

I am both speechless and lackadaisical right now. I guess I just won't check my logs anymore :-( Case closed.