Is it safe to regularly switch between power modes?

Question

I am using an ASUS N53SV and it has Power4Gear installed and I use it quite regularly. However, lately I have been experiencing stuttering during video playback (VLC, YouTube, WinMedPlayer, etc.) even when the Power4Gear was set to Entertainment mode.

The shuttering really annoys me. I have not been able to find a solution. I read that it could mean that the fan is full of dust etc.

I am just wondering if it is a hardware/software problem or am I using Power4Gear in a wrong way?

Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

The shuttering video playback might be caused by buggy video drivers. It is recommended to use the latest driver versions. Like you said, the error can be also caused by an overheating computer. If your system is full of dust, it is difficult for the fans to maintain it at a proper temperature. In this case, all you have to do is to clean your workstation. You can do it by yourself, but if the laptop is still in its warranty period, it is better to let a qualified person do that. A difference between the framerate of a video and the refresh rate of your monitor can also lead to a shuttering video playback. In this case, consider using a video player that lets you adjust the refresh rate, such as Windows Media Player classic. Try not to switch too often between different power plans though.