How to speed up the processor on Xiaomi Redmi 9: from simple settings to deep overclocking

Is your Xiaomi Redmi 9 slowing down in games or slowly opening apps? G80 This smartphone has hidden potential that can be unlocked without buying a new device. In this article, we will discuss 7 proven ways to speed up work. CPU — From secure system optimizations to advanced methods using engineering menus and custom cores.

It's important to understand that overclocking the processor is always about tradeoffs, and on the one hand, you'll get performance gains for resource-intensive tasks (games, video editing, multitasking). On the other hand, heat will increase, battery life will decrease, and if the settings are not correct, system failures will occur. G80 Redmi 9, which can not be exceeded so as not to disable the chip.

This article is suitable for both beginners (sections 1-3) and experienced enthusiasts (sections 4-7). MIUI 14 and Android 12 for Redmi 9 (codenamed Lancelot).If your model is different, check compatibility in the comments.

1. System optimization without root rights: clean the background processes

Before you resort to overclocking, make sure the system isn't overloaded with unnecessary tasks.Helio G80 Redmi 9 has 8 cores, but 4 of them are energy efficient (Cortex-A55), a 4 productive (Cortex-A75). If the background applications occupy powerful cores, the main tasks will be performed on weak ones.

How to free up resources:

• 🔄 Turn off the autoload of unnecessary apps: go to Settings → Annexes → Auto-run control and deactivate programs that shouldn’t run in the background (such as games or rarely used instant messengers).
• 🗑️ Clear the cache: in Settings → Memory. → Cleanup select "Deep Cleanup" to delete temporary files that may slow down the processor when accessing memory.
• ⚡ Enable Performance Mode: In Settings → Battery. → Power modes, select Performance, which will make the system use more powerful cores. Cortex-A75.

After this manipulation, check the performance in benchmark applications (such as AnTuTu or Geekbench 6). A typical 5-15% increase in multithreaded tests due to more efficient load allocation between the cores.

Thermothrottle setting: why the processor brakes when heated

Redmi 9 has a passive cooling system (without a fan), so under intense loads the processor begins to throttle - artificially reduce the frequency so as not to overheat. By default, the threshold for the activation of thermal protection is set at 45.°C for kernels Cortex-A75 50°C for GPU Mali-G52. If these values are exceeded, the frequency drops by 30-50%.

How to change the thresholds (without root):

1. Install the app CPU Throttling Test from Google Play, which will show the current temperature limits.
2. Download. MTK Engineering Mode (MediaTek only!) Launch it and go to MTK Settings → Hardware Testing → Thermal Engineer Mode.
3. In the Thermal Configuration section, find the parameters. CPU_THROTTLING_TEMP and GPU_THROTTLING_TEMP. They are equal in default. 45000 and 50000 (milligrades of Celsius).
4. Increase them by 5-10.°C (e.g. up to 50,000 and 55,000 respectively) Do not exceed 60°C for CPU 65°C for GPU — This is a critical temperature for Helio. G80!

After changing thresholds, check for stability in a stress test (e.g., in a stress test). 3DMark or Prime95). If the smartphone starts to warm up (above 65)°C according to data AIDA64), return the standard settings.

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For additional cooling, use a game cooler with USB-It's a powered, special case with heat sink, even passive cooling reduces the temperature by 3-7.°C.

3. Acceleration through the engineering menu: increasing the frequency CPU

If standard methods have not produced sufficient gains, you can manually increase the maximum frequency of the cores. G80 Redmi 9 has the following standard frequencies:

• Cortex-A75 (production cores: up to 2.0 GHz
• Cortex-A55 (Energy efficient cores: up to 1.8 GHz

You can raise these values by 10 to 15 percent through the engineering menu, and you can take care of this method, because the wrong settings can lead to unstable operation or overheating.

Instructions:

1. Install. MTK Engineering Mode (link above).
2. Move to the MTK Settings → Hardware Testing → CPU Stress Test.
3. Choose. CPU Frequency Setting.
4. For the nuclei Cortex-A75 (cluster 1) set a maximum frequency of 2100 MHz (instead of the standard 2000 MHz).
5. For the nuclei Cortex-A55 (cluster 0) — 1900 MHz (instead of 1800 MHz).
6. Save the settings and restart the device.

Charge the battery at least 50%|Install an application for temperature monitoring (AIDA64)|Make a backup copy of important data|Prepare an emergency shutdown method (e.g., holding the power button)|Check the current temperature. CPU (should be below 40°C)-->

Once overclocked, test stability in Geekbench 6 or PCMark. If artifacts appear in games or random reboots, return the standard frequencies. The typical performance gain on successful overclocking is 8-12% in single-threaded tasks and up to 20% in multithreaded ones.

4.Using Custom Cores: Deep Optimization

Maximum overclocking requires unlocking the bootloader and installing a custom core, which is the biggest boost, but requires technical skills and voids the warranty. Redmi 9 has a popular core.

• 🔧 Perseus Kernel – Balanced core with improved frequency management and thermal control.
• ⚡ ThunderZap Kernel – performance-oriented, supports acceleration to 2.2 GHz for Cortex-A75.
• ❄️ IceCold Kernel – Optimized for low power consumption while maintaining high performance.

Installation process:

1. Unlock the bootloader through Mi Unlock Tool (requires a Xiaomi account binding and wait 7-14 days).
2. Install custom recovery (TWRP or OrangeFox).
3. Download the right kernel for your version MIUI (for example, Perseus-r3.5-lancelot.zip).
4. Reboot to Recovery and Flow the Core through Install → Select ZIP.
5. Clear the Dalvik/ART cache and reboot.

After installing the custom core, you will be able to:

• 📈 Adjust the frequencies of each core separately (e.g., raise the frequency of each core). A75 up to 2.2 GHz, and A55 leave on the standard 1.8 GHz).
• 🔥 Change the voltage (undervolting) to reduce heating at the same frequencies.
• ⚙️ Use alternative governors (e.g. performance for maximum power or schedutil for balance).

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Custom cores require regular updates! MIUI The kernel may stop working, which will lead to bootloop ( looped boot).

Performance gains with ThunderZap Kernel up to 2.2 GHz:

⚠️ Note: Using custom cores with overclocking reduces the life of the processor by 10-15% at constant load, we recommend to enable overclocking only for resource-intensive tasks (games, rendering), and in everyday use to return to standard settings.

5. Undervolting: How to Increase Productivity Without Overclocking

Undervolting is a reduction in the CPU power voltage without changing the frequencies.

• 🔋 Reduce heating and energy consumption.
• ⚡ Increase the Autonomous Work Time.
• 📈 Increase stability during acceleration (if combined methods).

For Helio. G80 Redmi 9 is the best value undervolting:

• Cortex-A75: 25–50 mV decrease (e.g. from 1.05V to 1.00V).
• Cortex-A55: 15–30 mV decrease (e.g. from 0.95V to 0.92V).
• GPU Mali-G52: decline of 20-40 mV.

How to set up (root required):

1. Install a Kernel Auditor or EX Kernel Manager.
2. Go to section. CPU Voltage.
3. Gradually reduce the voltage for each frequency by 10 mV, testing stability after each change.
4. If lags or reboots appear, return the last working value.

An example of a successful undervolting for Redmi 9:

Cortex-A75 (2.0 GHz): 1.05V → 1.00V


Cortex-A55 (1.8GHz): 0.95V → 0.92V




GPU (950 MHz): 1.0B → 0.96B

Result: temperature reduction by 5-8°C with the same performance and increase battery life by 10-15%.

6. Optimization of Task Planner and Governor

Redmi 9 uses a governor ondemand by default, which doesn’t always optimally distribute the load between the cores. Alternative governors can improve responsiveness or performance.

• 🏃 Performance: maximum frequency of all cores at all times. Good for benchmarks, but quick to run out of battery.
• ⚖️ Balanced – the trade-off between productivity and energy efficiency.
• 🔄 schedutil is a modern governor from Google, optimized for Android 10+. Recommended for everyday use.
• 🎮 game - a special mode for games, prioritizes the productive cores.

How to change the governor (root required):

1. Install the Kernel Auditor.
2. Move to the CPU → Governor.
3. Select the governor you want for each core cluster.
4. For better results, combine with customization I/O Scheduler (we recommend cfq or kyber for the SSD-smartphone-like).

It is also useful to disable thermal throttling for critical tasks. For example, in Kernel Auditor, you can temporarily raise the throttling thresholds to 70.°C for CPU 75°C for GPU, but only during the game or rendering.

7. Alternative methods: cooling and hardware modifications

If software methods are exhausted, consider hardware improvements:

• 🧊 Replacement of thermopaste: Standard thermopaste with Helio G80 often high in viscosity. Replacement with Arctic MX-6 Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut reduces temperature by 3-5°C.
• 🔋 Cooling system modification: Installing a copper plate between the chip and the back cover improves heat sink, in extreme cases, adding a thin graphite heat dissipator (as in gaming smartphones).
• ⚡ Use of an external cooler: USB-Fan coolers (such as Black Shark FunCooler Pro) reduce temperatures by 8–12°C under intense loads.

⚠️ Warning: Disassembling your smartphone to replace thermopaste or modify cooling will void the warranty and may damage components if you do not act negligently.If you are unsure of your skills, contact the service center.

Example of the effectiveness of modifications:

For maximum effect, combine hardware and software methods. For example, after replacing the thermopaste and installing a custom core with undervolting, you can safely accelerate the processor to 2.1 GHz without the risk of overheating.

FAQ: Frequent questions about Redmi overclocking 9