CPU temperature problem

Hey guys, got another problem I had just noticed. My CPU temperature when running games go up to 90+ degrees which lags the game and slows down the performance of my laptop. How do I fix this? Before, my CPU idles at 40-50 degrees. now it's idling at 55-65 which isn't normal.

 

It would help to know the specs of your computer. Generally games will stress the GPU rather than the CPU. Maybe your computer is running the games on integrated graphics?

 

It isn't running on integrated since I was running Battlefield 3 on Ultra, and it would of been very laggy. I also disabled the integrated graphics in the Bios due to Blue screen problems. My specs are M17x R3 / i7-2630QM / 460M / 6 gigs RAM. When it lags, it would drop the framerate down a lot for like 2-5 seconds then go back to normal then repeat at random times. This hasn't happened before and I don't really want to format my laptop either.

 

quickest fix for the non tech savy,
go out and buy some compressed air from the local electronics hobby shop.
spray the bottom and vents of the laptop and watch the dust fly

its not as ideal as the usual strip down and repaste etc, but if you had acceptable temps before, it's not really necessary. In short, clean the dust!

 

The vents in the back of the laptop? :O I cleaned the one connected to the GPU and cleaned the dust off that and blew the other one, there wasn't much dust.

 

Perhaps it's time for a repaste.

GPU repasting guide: Alienware M17X R3 Re-pasting Guide and 6970 re-pasting guide
CPU/GPU repasting: Alienware M17x R3 CPU & GPU Re-Pasting Guide w/Pics!

Service manuals in my sig.

 

I guess i'll try that. Thanks

 

wow I got the same overheating problem just like yours!! And I just received my M17x last week... the highest temp of my cpu is 96℃...

 

wow that is scary high. http://forum.notebookreview.com/ali...pu-m17x-r3-illustrated-guide.html#post8021785 This is a very easy repaste (even I did it) and it lowered my temps. 96 just sounds.... bad.

 

There's definitely something wrong! Repaste your CPU and make sure you use a good quality thermal grease like Prolimatech PK-1 or MX-4.

 

I called the dell tech, and they came and replace the fans and vents and repaste as well... but it not really effective... And I found a interesting thing of my cpu, sometimes the temp raises even if I was doing nothing

 

That's definitely abnormal. Even your GPU temps seem a bit high. Are you overclocking at all? What are your ambient temps like?

I would definitely repaste with some good quality aftermarket paste. Even if you don't burn out your system, it will shorten its lifespan.

 

No I'm not overclocking it at all cause I was scared by the temp... The room temp is like 25℃. What's the normal temps of GPU & CPU?

 

My normal idle temps are around 42℃ and 45℃ for my CPU and GPU respectively. With light load (web surfing, playing music, word processing etc.) brings them to 48℃ and 49℃. Under load (playing graphically demanding games etc.) CPU will be around 65℃ and GPU will be around 70℃. Running Prime95/Furmark will bring them up to around 80℃.

My ambient temps are around 24℃.

 

wow... my idle temps are around 65℃-70℃ and 57℃ for my CPU AND GPU right now... And the room temp are pretty cool actually... Seems like I have to contact with dell tech again soon...

 

I wouldn't pay that much attention to "idle" temps honestly. They can vary a lot based on a number of variables. If you want to determine whether you need a repaste or how effective a repaste was, the only thing you should look at is temps under sustained 100% load. Furmark is a good tool for this for the GPU, while prime95 is one for the CPU.

I would repaste the GPU if you have 100% load temps over 80C.
I would repaste the CPU if you have 100% load temps over 85C or so.

And, for the record, Dell's thermal paste is garbage compared to aftermarket pastes like MX-4, PK-1, or ICD. I'd repaste regardless. Follow the guides linked earlier in this thread and you will most likely fix your problem. If not, call Dell and have them look at it again. Repasting does not void your warranty unless you are very careless and manage to cause damage while doing it.

 

I agree that idle temps don't mean much but I don't think further stress testing is necessary as the CPU max temps are already 90℃+! GPU max temps are still acceptable at 76℃ but only 2℃ short of the 78℃ throttle. Could probably do better.

@willoc make sure your heatsink and fans are dust/gunk free. You can also download HWiNFO ( HWiNFO64) and use it to create a more aggressive fan control profile. Read up on using it for Alienware systems before starting to use it here: Alienware Fan Control

 

From the data I read on CPUID Monitor, my fan is always on 100% load and I just received my laptop last week...

 

Are your fans actually spinning? My experience with CPUID is that it will show 100% for fan speed regardless of what speed they're actually spinning at. I believe that this is because the reading doesn't come from the EC but from the GPU. However as the fans aren't controlled by the GPU, that reading is invalid.

Having said that though, when your temps hit 75℃ your fans should kick in 100% (about 4000RPM).

 

You also need to take into account that different GPUs will idle at different temps. The 460m will have lower temps then say a 580m. Not sure if it's the same for CPUs.

My 580m idles around 52C. Doing minor stuff like surfing the web, it'll go up to 56-58C. My CPU tends to idle around 50-54C.