Acer Aspire 5100 CPU Half Speed Help!

I'm trying to play Counter-Strike on my Acer Aspire 5100 laptop, but while in the game, the FPS keeps going from 100fps to 5-10fps for a couple of seconds, and then goes back to 100fps... and then keeps repeating every minute.

My laptop specs:
AMD Turion 64 X2 TL-52 (1.6 GHz)
ATI Radeon Xpress 1100
2GB RAM
Windows Vista Ultimate (32 bit)
[This problem also happened on Windows XP Professional 32bit and 64bit]

I used RMClock to check my CPU speed and temperature. I notice that during the FPS drop, my cpu speed goes from 1600mhz to 800mhz.

Here's a screenshot of RMClock while I was playing CS:


Another thing that I notice is that my CPU temperature is about 60C when idle, and it goes higher than 70C in CS. I'm guessing that when that happens, the CPU cuts the speed in half to cool down, and then goes back full speed when the temperature is lower. Thus, I have 10fps when the CPU is trying to cool down... Is there any way to stop it from cooling down at 70C? Or anyway to make my CPU temperature lower? 60C when idle is not normal, is it?

This never used to happen before when I first got my laptop. It just started acting like this recently and I don't have any idea why. Any help will be appreciated!

 

70 in game play is normal, try setting your computer to 'maximum' performance mode in windows or in the eTechnology. This will force the computer to run the cpu at 1600mhz regardless of the usage.

 

60c on idle... IMO that is too high. My 5102 idles around 40c so you are a good 20 degrees hotter.

Have you tried cleaning out the CPU fan at the bottom of the notebook; over time dust and other debris can get caught in there and start to interfere with the cooling system. To clean out the fan you need to remove the thermal panel on the bottom of the notebook (biggest panel) and then get some compressed air and blow any dust off of the fan blades. Try that and see if it helps.

I also see you used rmclock to check your temps, well you can also use that program to undervolt the cpu and try to control the temperature.

 

Thanks Evolution! I opened the bottom of my laptop, removed a chunk of dust that was blocking the air vent with my fingers, and now my CPU speed is pretty stable! I just played 20 minutes of CS without getting any lag!

Here's a screenshot of RMClock while I was playing CS:


Also my CPU idles at around 55C now. Maybe if I use a can of compressed air to clean the fan blades, I can get my CPU temperature to around 45C.

Oh yea, I also overclocked my CPU from 1.6ghz to 1.8ghz.

 

Well doing that will generate extra heat so be warned. Overclock at your own risk...
Also if you game alot then a notebook cooling pad might become useful.

Glad I could help you out Just remember to clean out that fan from time to time.

 

Yeahhhh....cleaning fan really helps!!! i just cleaned mine out and lowered CPU temp on my 5100 from 211F to 155F at load, 181F to 119F idle! Had about enough dust bunnies in there to supply the Easter industry until 2018; i just had enough of slow computer and decided it was time to try something new!

 

Well something like this, it will help more in long term .

USB 3 Fan Blue Light Laptop Notebook Cooler Cooling Pad