Higher GPU temperature on Enduro. Is this normal?

Hey guys, I'm currently with a Alienware M17x r4 that I got about a week ago. So far everything is great except I'm a bit concerned with my temperature. When I first received my laptop, I immediately switched to a discrete GPU (7970m). I would get an idle temperature from around 56C - 60C when on it. I just decided to check what my temperature would be like under Enduro and I was a bit surprised. My idle temperature would go from around 63C up to 68C. After looking around the forum, I think that's a bit too high. I don't think my temp on discrete GPU is that great either.

My CPU seems to be around 46C. I think that is okay.

Btw I do have the backside of the laptop lifted with a bottle cap.

So do you guys think this is normal? Should I consider re-pasting the thermal compound? Or should I be contacting Dell for a possible check up by a technician? I'm kinda scared to re-paste it myself

What do you guys think?

Edit: Shouldn't the GPU temperature be lower while on Enduro since its supported by the integrated graphics?

Here is the temp under iGPU:


Here is the temp under dGPU:

 

This makes sense to me (although I have the 120Hz display so no enduro/optimus issues , or the option of an ATI card ).

I believe the iGpu is 'on-die' with the CPU so when it's active the overall temp will go up. Even if it has it's own chip on-board it is probably using the same heatsink so will have the same effect.

 

Hmm, what I'm confused about is that when I run hwinfo32, the high temperature shows under the ATI 7970m (65C -70C). I understand if my cpu temp was high but why would my discrete gpu temp rise under Enduro? I'm confused


Edit: Under Enduro

 

Well, I have the same problem on mine so I have to assume it is normal since you are having it also. Just sitting at a desktop, no IE or anthing my 7970 shows 60-62 celcius. When gaming it goes up to 70 but it doesn't get much higher than that. I even did a compelte reinstall thinking I had a driver issue or the card was stuck "on" so to speak.

 

I thought you were referring to the CPU going up. I, like you, would expect the ATI to drop in temp when it's not being used. Maybe someone here with the same setup knows why??

Edit: Been thinking about this and I have a theory but it'll need an ATI guru to answer if it is right.

The question is, does the ATI card have multiple states (P0, P1, etc.) for power save, 2d and 3d clocks? When sitting in windows my GTX 675 drops to 74mhz and temps around 52C. Your example shows a clock of 720 as if even though it's not being used it had been ramped up to it's highest setting - a bug?? Anyone?

 

Unless everyone with 7970m is switching to dGPU as soon as they get their laptop, people should be noticing this if its a common problem. I believe Clevo machines run fine and they can't switch to dGPU. It should be great if few other people can check if their temp rises a bit after switching to iGPU mode.

Edit: @MickyD1234
Yea I have just noticed the GPU clock. It seems like it is reduced to less than half of what it was once its switched to dGPU. Which is extremely weird since its basically opposite of what Enduro is supposed to do. I'm not sure if its a buggy driver or its the Enduro itself.


Problem solved I think:
Okayyy I think I just found a solution to my problem. It seems like my Intel HD 4000 drivers was improperly installed or had some bug in it. I just reinstalled the driver and my hwinfo32 no longer picks up the 7970m temp in enduro. I guess thats a good sign and how its supposed to be? Maybe the GPU was forced to work extra since the iGPU wasn't functioning properly. But anyways wcdturbo, if you are reading this, try reinstalling your intel hd driver and let me know how it goes.

Btw thanks for pointing out that out MickyD1234, it was certainly strange why my GPU was working so hard.

 

Tried reinstalling the IB 4000HD driver and it wiped out my 7970 drivers so I had to go and reinstall those, back to square one. Basically, no gaming or anything, just web browsing, 7970m shows 62-67c constantly. It never changes.

 

I also NEVER see it downclock the GPU. constantly runs at 720/675 and I am pretty sure I don't have it on dedicated mode.

EDIT: Okay, when I switch t to dedicated mode, it down clocks the 7970 to 300/149.5. I I go back to Enduro mode it goes back to 720/675 and hovers in the mid 60s.

 

Im having the same problem and worrying about it right now. I even did't see the card ever downclocked itself below 850, now Im thinking of downclock it with MSI afterburner myself but dont know if I will harm my card by doing that.

 

What wireless card are you using? Also, I wish there was a way to see a list of all .exe that are assigned Performance/Power Saving.

EDIT: Nevermind about the wireless card, had a theory but disabled all wireless and that didn't work.

 

I wanna check that too but dont know how to see the complete list. It only shows me 2~3 recent programs.

 

I didn't changed the wireless card so its the default one, but why?

 

I took out my 6250 and replaced it with an Atheros 9380 I got off of Ebay. Just trying to eliminate things as I think of them.

What got me on that path was when I first restarted the computer, loaded up HWInfo64 and only showed the Intel GPU. Closed out of HWInfo64 and it is possible other things were still loaded, hooked up my wireless connection, reloaded HWInfo64 and BAM, ATI card was back on the list.

Strange thing to me is, I took the advice of reinstalling the Intel drivers and that killed my 7970 drivers. Had to reinstall those.

 

Downclocked the core to 650mhz but nothing happened to the temperature

 

Well, unless I am mistaken, if on the 4000 using Enduro the ATI should be at like 300/150. Not sure why it still clocks so high.

 

I think I shall go far my assignment now, I spent all my time after dinner for this...

 

There is such a status, you are right, but my card seems to be pretty hard working

 

Now Im back
I switched to the discrete mode, rebooted and had problem in identifying the driver, so I came back to Enduro
The thing is that the discrete card can rest properly now. But Im sure this is not the way to fix it permenantly and hopefully the issue will come up again. Still waiting for someone to figure it out what's the exact problem

 

Hmm I can't be 100% if my temp problem was fixed or not. I assumed that is the case because my iGPU started functioning properly and didn't pick up my dGPU temp. I think my dGPU was forced to do all the work before Intel driver started working properly. I wasn't able to get it right until I installed it in correct order. I completely erased both 7970m driver, lintel hd 4000 driver, and CC (to be safe). Then I installed intel hd 4000 driver first, 7970m driver second, then the CC. I first did it the other way and my temp monitor wouldn't pick up any temp at all.

 

You're welcome, I do like a tech mystery, which is probably why I went into IT support a loooong time ago .

Nothing I can add now since i don't have a iGPU (working) to try things. Just makes me happy that I went for a 120mz display as I've seen a LOT of people having switching issues.

IMO, a pointless technology on a high power gaming laptop. People don't expect battery life and if you are looking for something that can give you 5 hours plus of 'normal' usage - buy a cheap second laptop and leave the AW for what it was designed for - gaming on mains power. My D420 is perfect if all I want to do is sit in the garden and surf on batery... /rant-off

Good luck!

 

Well, I pretty much gave up on the Intel 4000 and Enduro. I am running in dedicated 7970 mode since while not gaming, the 7970 down clocks to 300/150. I'll just leave it this way.

 

Best advice I think you can give anyone . My Nvidia drops to 50/135 in windows so I'm doing my bit to save the planet .