Alienware M17X R2 CPU Temperatures?

So I finally got my 5870 Crossfire GPU Tempertures down to 60 - 75c when gaming on the Alienware m17x R2 with a bit of repasting. Now, the problem I think I have is that the i7 920XM goes around 77 - 84c when playing Battlefield 3. It hasn't been a problem to me nor has it really passed the 84c mark just yet. It's just that, I would like to play Battlefield 3 or any game of the sort without having to look at my CPU temperatures every time. I've already repasted the CPU also. So, what I'm deciding is to either get a new heatsink or repaste again with the IC Diamond 7 (I used the Arctic Silver 5). What do you guys think?

P.S.: I also have a cooling fan running under (Coolmaster U3)

 

This temps ~ normal summer.I use 940XM 3,5GHz and when i play BF3 multi 30°C room temp the CPU temps 78-82°C.Maybe if you use IC Diamond better the temps results.

 

If the cpu is oced. Then temps are ok. If you are on stock multi then you should not go over 75'c. And that is regardless what temps are outside/inside. To give you some comparisons I am running this cpu at 25 fid @4 cores and highest temps I see during gaming is hi 70's. It never reached 84. Only prime95 and cpu benches can lead to it.

 

What do you think I could do to bring down the temps? The thing is that I'm not overclocking either.

 

Getting a new heatsink won't do anything. unfortunately, the 5870's run hot. 60-75c is actually a very good temp for these cards
Your 920xm temps aren't outrageous either.

Instead of using the u3, have you just tried propping up the back with say a few bottlecaps (one on either side of the laptop). i find that the laptop coolers sometimes obstruct the intake vents

have you also considered getting better thermal pads? This could drop your temps a few degrees

But if you have already repasted, there really isn't much more you can do

 

I'm actually talking about my CPU. I'm fine with my graphics card temperature. It's just the CPU temperature I think I have a problem with.

 

if it is not exceeding 85, leave it, if yes, TO THE FREEZER !

 

what utility are you using to report the CPU temp?

The max temp on the 920xm is 100c. So you are still within normal operating temperatures. I wouldn't worry to much about it if your max underload is 84c.

IC diamond will probably scratch your lidless cpu surface as it is abrasive...however, it may drop your temps a few degrees. It just depends on how good your paste job was with the AS5

Also another trick is to not overtorque the screws on the CPu heatsink. You want all 4 screws to be evenly turned to keep the copper plate as flat on the CPU die as possible. Turn the screws by following the numbers on the motherboard...so it forms an X pattern...similar to how you would install a tire on a car. THis makes a difference on temps

 

I am using HWINFO to report my CPU temperature. What do you think is the best method to apply the thermal paste? I dabbed the paste on the die and spread it with a credit card to create a thin layer.

 

That metod not be good.Need use line metod for laptop processors,or try ICD certified metod: Application

 

Your temperatures are fine, everything runs hotter in the summer due to higher ambient temperatures. Now if those temperatures were during the winter, you might be a little worried.

 

I would have to agree with Muerte75...the credit card method isn't the most optimal. I like with the line method

Or look at my CPU install guide (in my sig) for how I paste. The most optimal way to paste a square cpu die is to put a dab of paste in the middle and let the pressure of heatsink spread it out. that way, you don't get air bubbles etc.

However, because our laptop CPU's are rectangular, the line method is better...or look at how I do it.

 

Okay, so probably a repaste but should I stick with the Arctic Silver 5 or the IC Diamond 7? Does it really matter?

 

Oh, wow. So guess who found out that disabling the Turbo Boost option in the BIOS would decrease the temperatures drastically? Yeah, this guy. I would usually get 74-77C on Battlefield 3 on the CPU but now I get 60-67C at least. Well, for now, I'm saying that the Turbo Boost drastically increases the temperature. More updates with the temperatures will come soon as I play different games later.

 

Yes decrease the temperatures drastically,but decrease the FPS also drastically when off the turbo...

 

No. Not even one bit. I've actually tested out BF3 with the same settings and I am getting the same performance as it did with Turbo Boost.

 

It's CF - 5870m, it won't make a difference.
If he had a 7970m or a 680m it WOULD make a difference.

p.s.
The original documentation states a Jmax of 100 degrees celsius but it's about 15 degrees higher.

It will start to throttle from 115 degrees, not before that.
75-90 is a very normal temp for this XM cpu.

You didn't OV/OC it?....maybe you have the unlocked A10 bios and have the +75mv set?

on a different note:
BF3 is a well designed multicore threaded application and would benefit from more faster cores.....strang you don't notice ANY difference?

 

What do you mean by this? How do I check? I'm pretty sure about not overclocking it.

 

Lets get some facts right.

1. 85C under load in summer when running crossfire cards ( they add heat to the whole chassis) is normal when you have turbo boost on. And of course it's not near the 100 thermal limit of the 920xm. So I don't know why the OP is concerned about his CPU temps. Look fine to me

2. Battlefield on 5870cf is not CPU bound by any means. I did a test,when I had 5970 cf , I run bf3 and changed multies from 25/25/25/25 to 15/15/15/15 .... Well no change in battlefield 3 frames...
So iPhongus is right

 

i ahve a question. while i was playing with cinema 4d, i decided to render out my new desktop background. anyways it was taking too long so i figured its the perfect time to try throttlestop. im getting temperature as high as 93 on my cpu. i dont think thats normal. im using arctic silver 5 thermal paste and fans are running at max already. last time i repasted was a few months ago.

 

When you want facts, you base them on more the one conclusion.
That is a the golden rule of science..

So yes, offcourse BF3 is CPU intensive.
You can't test a theory like this on a laptop. Thats like doing folding @home with you digital watch!

Just one example

Intensive does not mean it will give you more fps btw.

 

Ok. If you thing that changing a CPU from 3.3 ghz to 2 ghz ingame (via throttlestop hockey's) and seeing the frames not drop not even by one doesn't mean that bf3 doesn't rely so much on CPU but on gpu....

It's your right to Beleive whatever you want.

Other readers might beleive something else.

 

Well it's a little hoter than it should.
I mean my 920xm runs 4 cores at 25 and gets As hot as yours.
Of course a lot is dependent on your ambient temp

Also looks like you have 1 core that gets hot and one that is cooler than the others. Try changing the CPU screw tensions to make them more even in temps.

 

Here's a suggestion.
Set TDP to 95 and set TDC tot 70.
Set the multiplier x26.

Set 75mv on the cpu core from the bios.
Stable best oc.

Or else go with x25 and dont set the 75mv it will run a bit cooler but will bench a bit slower.

Good luck.