GTX 280M GPUs running hot in Win7

I recently upgraded to Win7 64bit Home Premium. My GTX 280M GPUs (sli) are running much hotter in Win7 than in Vista. I'm currently on the Dell nvidia driver, v257.38. I've tried other drivers from laptopvid2go 275.50 and 285.38 - those also have the same issue.

Even when the temp goes up, the fans just don't speed up. Afaik, reducing the clock speeds seems like a crap alternative, and nv system tools is only for desktop GPUs (though, I recall getting one driver from laptopvid2go which had performance tools as part of the nv driver).

I also get the nvlddmkm.sys error quite often - once every 2 days at least, or with some other freeze. I know ppl say Win7 is more stable than Vista - not for me though! There's even a website for that lol: http://www.nvlddmkm.com
Some posts suggest using a 191.x or 185.x driver - any other options? I would prefer something more 'recent' / updated.

 

I think you need to repaste your cards and clean your heatsinks, first!!
In order to use newer drivers access BIOS menu > Advanced Settings > Graphic Options and disable PCIe Gen2..

You can also disable hybrid SLi and integrated graphics if you don't use it.
Uninstall old display drivers, boot in Safe Mode an clean your registry (CCleaner or similar), reboot and install the driver of your choice.

Enjoy

 

Are you running the latest bios on your m17x?

 

aneroid - have you cleared the intakes and exhausts with a good blast of compressed air?

Given the system is a bit aged, you might also look into the thermal compound factor...

IMO, I see no reason the system cant handle the current NV release. I dont have my R1 any longer so I cant confirm but you should be fine.

Definitely look into the dust bunny and thermal compound factors.

eggroll hit a good point as well, be sure you are on the latest BIOS - link to A07 is:

http://support.dell.com/support/dow...peid=-1&formatid=-1&impid=-1&checkFormat=true

 

I could but I got the cards about 2-3 months ago (when the fan on one of them died).

Done that previously, I keep that disabled.

Done both previously (and currently).

Yes, A07.

Yes, when the service tech'n came to replace my GPUs ( had a fan failure before). Should I still look into adding/putting my own thermal compound? Question: even though the chip is overheating, shouldn't fans go faster? It only makes a slight whirring sound at 70C which on Vista, would have put my fans into high gear. (I've used the new cards I got on Vista for a while before I upgraded.)

The system can handle the current nv releases...except the one's I've tried have the overheating problem. (just saw the official nv Verde 280.26 WHQL Driver, will give those a try as well). I am/was running BIOS A07 with Vista. Was the first thing I checked after 2 BSODs

 

Okay, I didn't disable that after I flashed my A07 BIOS the second time. Disabled it on Tuesday, running on the official 280.26 nvidia drivers and no BSODs or nvlddmkm.sys issues so far. Will update if there's a change.

Still got the heating issues though - my primary & secondary GPU temp max is 70C and 60C respectively. And that's without having played a game. Not concerned about that temp, the idle temps are 55C and 45C - my concern is that the fans sped/speeded up.

In case it's related: In AlienFusion, under "Processor power management" I set "System cooling policy" to 'Active' and under "Graphic Processor" I set "GPU Power State" to 'Max Performance'.

 

Keep in mind that flashing the BIOS chip will reset BIOS settings to default.

Also ambient temperature plays a role in a system's temperatures, mine is ~21 and my GTX 280Ms idle @ ~35 - 39 Celsius I also have the same settings in Windows power management.

Those 70 C (if under load) look great I get ~70-74 C max in furmark,your idle temps are a tad high but nothing to worry about so my guess is that your ambient temp is higher than mine.

 

That 70 C was just by watching a movie. I ran Furmark and the standard benchmark (60 secs?) test took my GPU to 90 C. I then ran it again 3 minutes later with my nvidia power management mode to 'prefer maximum performance' - my GPUs temps went to 102 C and 95 C. The fans never kick in! There is obviously something wrong here.

 

Update: I just installed the 285.62 drivers - http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m17x/619820-nvidia-whql-driver-285-62-a.html

I required the modified INFs katalin_2003 posted (+rep for that). Finally the fans have started working again. Ran a two minute Furmark bench test, max temp at 85 C with fans speeding up to almost full.