8950G Overheating and Auto shutdown

Hey,

I have tried searching this on the forum, I didnt find anything so I decided to create an account to ask!

I have an Acer Aspire 8950G with the Radeon HD6850M graphics. When ever I play a game, after about 5 minutes the keypad becomes too hot to even touch and then the computer automatically shuts itself off because its too hot. I have had this laptop for only about 16 months, so I'm not exactly enthusiastic about replacing it just yet.

Steps I have done to try and rectify the issue:
I have applied fresh thermal gell to the CPU and GPU, While doing this I also cut a bigger hole for the fan to actually get air in. I have elevated the laptop at the back and brought a cooling pad. I have tried using ice bricks. I have also upgraded the ram from 8GB to 16GB to try take a bit of the load off. I have set all the graphics options back to as low as possible on all the games I play and in the Catalyst centre.

The problem I have now is, its only just the start of summer in Australia, its only just warming up - if I can barely do anything now, how bad is it going to be in a months time when its 38 degree's inside and 40+ outside.

The 8950G is an upgrade to my old 7720G which had no troubles at all. unfortunately the 7720G was killed in a flood we had in january 2011. I need a large screen on my laptop and it needs to have a half decent graphics card. Which the 8950 does, its just decided over night that it doesnt want to do anything. I have looked for software to change the fan speed so that it is constantly at 100% but, Acer have these laptops so tightly locked up - there is not software available to do this.

I really need some advice, I dont know of any places that sell better cooling systems for laptops let alone new cooling fans. I also dont think that the fan is the problem, because I can hear it gradually speeding up when the temperature rises.

What can I do without using it in a freezer?

Cheers
Brendan

 

What is actually overheating CPU or GPU?
Did you measure the temps?

Also was it like that all along or is it something that started happening at one point?

 

Hey,

I would say it is the GPU over heating because its the furtherest point to the top left, but also its the same place as the copper heat pipe goest too so it could be a combination of the two - however... I would say the GPU because the laptop only overheats when I am playing a game, not when its sitting idle.

CPUID gives me readings over 100c for gfx and after about 2 minutes at that temperature the CPU jumps from around 72c to around 90-95c and thats when the computer shuts down.

This basically started happening overnight. nothing had updated. after the first 4 shutdowns I manually updated the graphics software with no luck.

 

And what's the idle temperature?

Assuming radiators are making full contact with CPU and GPU and thermal compound is applied I would assume that the heat-pipe has leaked.

 

its idling right now after just turning it on from being shut down for over 12 hours.... its at 49c (120f) bust as soon as I run a game it jumps rapidly - takes less then 5 minutes to hit 100c (210f)

EDIT: How would I check the heat pipe for a leak?

 

It would have to be cracked somewhere- it something that might have happened while assembling or disassembling the notebook.

 

I have gone over the heatsinke and piping - it doesnt appear to have a crack or anything liek that in it... do you happen to know of any places that sell oem or aftermarket heatsinks and fans for laptops - specifically my laptop?

Thanks

 

Not really at least not new ones and not in Australia.
Go for an eBay one assuming it's reasonably cheap.

 

that is not it try the thermal paste....it is old and not working anymore......