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    Possible Overheating issue

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Wraith13, Aug 20, 2010.

  1. Wraith13

    Wraith13 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Ever since I started playing Starcraft 2 for prolonged periods of time, Ive noticed that the top left section of the keyboard (around the esc key) gets really hot.

    Now I have entered in the two lines of code in the variables.txt file that fixes the menu rendering thing but that particular section still gets really hot. So what I want to know is what is directly underneath the esc key, like is it one of the gpu's or what?

    And how could I possibly fix this without wasting money on a cooling unit.

    Thanks.
     
    Wraith13, Aug 20, 2010
    #1
  2. Ashtefere

    Ashtefere Notebook Evangelist

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    GPU's are designed to run safely at around 100c-110c. They are happier at cooler temps, but otherwise thats a safe level.

    Underneath escape key is indeed a GPU.

    If the machine has graphical corruption, crashes, freezes, locks up, or reboots, you have an overheating issue.

    Otherwise, everything is fine. Yes it will get hot, because it is designed to.

    If you want to reduce temps and possible void warranty, check out my sig.

    -Ash
     
    Ashtefere, Aug 20, 2010
    #2
  3. the[r]

    the[r] Notebook Consultant

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    as he said if the machine is having no technical problems and your just wanting to reduce temps best bet is new thermal paste and the mod he is suggesting
     
    the[r], Aug 20, 2010
    #3
  4. mfractal

    mfractal T|I

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    i would suggest running some kind of monitoring software (hwinfo32,hwmonitor,gpuz etc) to see thpse gpu temps.
    while video cards can operate at >100 degrees temps i doubt they will hold for long that way. anything above 90 degrees would get me worried.
     
    mfractal, Aug 20, 2010
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  5. dave-p

    dave-p Notebook Deity

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    laptop Cooler might be an ideal as well
     
    dave-p, Aug 21, 2010
    #5
  6. TurbodTalon

    TurbodTalon Notebook Virtuoso

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    I kept all of the stock thermal pads, Ash. If this thing ever has to go back to Dell, I'll do a quick swap. It's stupid that your mod would hurt the warranty, because it keeps the cards so much cooler. I think it's well worth it.
     
    TurbodTalon, Aug 21, 2010
    #6