keyboard light, idle temps

Howdy, just got my R4 this week, and I've been working on reinstalling Windows and getting everything set up. I've noticed two hardware issues:

1) CPU idle temps are around 50ºC. I know that this is well under a dangerous level in terms of damage to silicon, but I thought that idling speeds should be closer to 30º, especially with more efficient Ivy Bridge parts, and brand new (not dust-clogged) HSFs. Are these temps normal/acceptable?

2) There seems to be an LED either dim or burnt out at the lower part of the keyboard, near where right-alt meets the space bar. I use a blue backlight, and this is most noticeable when I switch the color to teal, and that area appears green, or when I switch to magenta and that area appears red. The blue emitter is weak in that area, allowing the other color LED to dictate the color seen. Are these uneven lighting areas a common occurrence? (I know that I'm a bit of a perfectionist, so maybe everyone has these issues and it doesn't bother them.) Hopefully this defect can be remedied by merely replacing the keyboard unit. I'd rather not send the entire system in and wait two weeks.

Thanks!

 

Depends on the CPU. The extreme CPU's (XM in the model number) run a bit hotter. I'd say between 40C-45C is what it should be idling. Just make sure that you don't have any background processes running that are making work for the system...hence raising the temps.

You could have a defective LCD. It's a brand new system right. I'd call support, let them walk you thru the mostly pointless AlienFX resetting steps. Then ask to have a new keyboard sent out. DO NOT let them bamboozle you into sending it in for Depot service.

 

Hello there,

1)50c at idle is fairly fine(40c is coolest temp), as Radji said make sure you don't have anything running on the back.

2)I could get you that keyboard replaced with no need of calling in. Email us with your service tag and add my name to the subject. I'll handle the case as soon as posible. Email: AWSocialMedia at dell.com

 

I'm using a bare bones i7-3610QM on a pretty fresh install of Windows 7 directly from the digitalriver download. I'm not terribly concerned though ... I'll keep an eye on things as I start to do gaming rather than driver installation. =)

Thanks for offering to take care of the keyboard issue, Frank! The presence of you AW/Dell folks on the forums is really appreciated.

 

You are most welcome

 

Email (and PM) sent. Thanks again!

 

My CPU idles in the 40's and 50's, but that isn't always what's most important - get back to us with your CPU load temps to get a real idea of if you have a problem or not. I assume you're fine, though. Seems my CPU maxes out at 85, but that is in a less-than-ideal situation (no cooling pad or props).