M17X-R1 -GPUs Overheating

In recent weeks, the GPUs have been running rather hot. Maximum temperatures during Metro 2033 were 91c and 97c. The system was sitting on top of a flat hardcase. In the past, under these very conditions, the temps would rarely even exceed the 70 mark. I had the laptop elevated a bit so as to avoid the issue. However, I think I need to deal with the matter now and was looking for feedback on what I should do straight away.

Just a general overview of things:
- GPUs are running at stock clocks and voltage tables.
- CPU is running at stock clocks and voltage tables.
- Fans are clean, but I haven't actually opened up the system to inspect the vents from the inside.
- Fans are running at full speed in accordance with the thermal tables.
- I have also tried this on the A02 BIOS -- same thermal readings.
- Also tried this on a number of other games -- ditto.

Edit:
Issue has been resolved by removing the GPUs and cleaning the build-up of dust on the inside of the vents. Cheers to everyone for their advice.

 

Could be the driver playing a factor Kade. Go with a couple of different versions and monitor temps for each - suggest trying at least 2 different versions to compare.

 

Thanks for the input, BatBoy. I've already cycled through a few drivers; should've mentioned that in the general overview. I was using your modification of the 285 mobile drivers, and just to be sure, I reverted back to the verde series, then went back to the 186.82 as well. The temperature issue is present and consistent in each case, and I can also confirm that all three fans are working at full speed.

 

My R1, on a couple of different occasions, would not kick the fans in on the GPU's. It has happened on 2-3 different BIOS revisions, but changing to a different BIOS revision fixed the problem.

You might also try unplugging it, pulling the battery and then holding the power button down for 30 seconds or so to discharge it.

I'm not sure what triggers this, it doesn't seem to happen very often though. I want to think it might happen after the computer gets restarted if windows locks up for some reason (overclocking maybe).

I haven't seen many people say much about it, but this has happened to me a handful of times.

edit: if your fans are running full speed then maybe your heatsinks are caked with dust or something. I don't see how they could run that hot if the fans were running and nothing was obstructing air-flow.

 

Thanks for that tip, although this isn't a case of fans not running. They're fine. I can account for this and have added details to my original post.

Anyway, I got too impatient, so I took the machine apart and found that the vents were horribly blocked-up from the inside. I gave them a good cleaning to find that my maximum temperature readings--even with intensive applications like Crysis, Metro and Stalker--now only peak at 70. Idle readings have also dropped from the mid-40s into to the 30s, and both cards have relatively even readings now.

Issue's resolved.

 

Excellent news.