M17x GPu overheating

NVidia driver 260.89
2x Geforce GTX 260M

I am having a problem with SC2 completely shutting down my laptop after 5-10 minutes of gameplay.
After some research I discovered that following happens:
SC2 uses SLI configuration and one of my GPUs overheats dramatically, eventually reaching 110+ C temperature and shutting down.

Testing with Furmark:
When SLI set to default or single GPU - I have 40 framerate average and temperatures are normal (ran it for ~30 minutes)

When SLI set to "Force Alternate Frame Rate 1" (or 2) - I have 70 framerate average, but my second GPU reaches 100+ C temperature in under 2 minutes, and left running shuts down laptop the same way SC2 does.

I undust laptop fairly often and my CPU temperatures never get above 50C, most of the time stable at 35C

Questions:
(1) Is there a program that would show me fan speed ? neither HWINFO32 nor Riva shows it to me?

(2) Is it normal behavior or is something wrong with my laptop ?

(3) If it's normal - how do I force SC2 to use Nvidia default SLI setting and not crash my laptop ?

 

Just wondering if your second fan is working like it should. I mean does it speed up as needed or stuck on low.
Can you boot the computer into test mode and check it out?
BTW, HWINFO32 does read actual fan speed (I don't know how accurate it is). Run the program and click the 'Sensor' button on the main window.

 

How do I boot in test mode ?

I have latest version of HWINFO32 (just rechecked the website again) and I don't have fan speed for GPUs (attached is my sensor screen )

 

reboot, F12 at the BIOS.

As an alternative, download this and create a USB drive with the diag - boot from the usb stick.

Drivers and Downloads

Note: Although the download page states its for the AW Desktop systems, the Diag will work with AW notebooks as well.

 

I just realized you have the other version of the M17x.
The other program I use is Everest made by Lavalys.
Computer Diagnostics & Network Audits Software | Lavalys.com

 

Everest program does not show fan speeds either.

Test mode ran a lot of tests (though none of them had to do with GPU fan) and found no problems. I expected some kind of menu where I can manually test it or at least see, but none came out, it just asked me to insert reboot afterward.

If it is indeed GPU fan not working, is it possible that it's some kind of software error ? Is it possibly to trigger it to kick in ? What should I do ?

 

Hi there,

First of all, SC2 is a very hot potato ! It really stresses, don't know why, all kind of GPU. Making them reach very high temp... My G73 was shutting down too at 105°C, and it's not crossfire/sli related because this P4G has a single card, after a fine repaste it was ok.

I repasted my M17X-R2 right away, and so far, no problem with SC2 (70°C - 65°C maximum on both card, but I've done the retention mod, so... not very helpful in this case).

What do you call normal temp in Furmark ?

Because I don't understand how this "Power Virus bench" can show you temps that aren't "Worst case scenario-like".

Have you re-applied thermal paste on both of your GPUs ?

Regarding your sensors problem, my understanding is that nothing really show accurate data.

Gpu-Z has two steps for this laptop : 30% and 100%
HWINFO32 shows weird Fans RPM for me (the RPM displayed doesn't match the noise/air flow produced).

I have two little things to ask to help you narrow it down.

1) Do you ear BOTH GPUs fan blowing and speeding up as the temps peak ?

2) The air flow going out is really hot ? (test it with your hand, It might sound like a silly question, but if the air flow was cold, it means that the heat is not going out...)

Sorry for my English, I'm not a native speaker.

 

You should check the speed under the "Alienware" sensor in HWiNFO32, since the GPU fan is not controlled by the GPU itself (so the fan readings coming from GPU are not valid).
Fan0 might be CPU, but I'm not sure.. That can be determined by putting various load and see how it behaves..

 

It's been a while since I ran the test. If I remember correctly, after the automated test, there was an option to continue to further test the system or reboot. And in this extended test, there is an option for testing fans. It will test the fans at various speeds (including off) and give you a report if they are working properly.