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    A few problems.

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by Waste, Jul 12, 2011.

  1. Waste

    Waste Notebook Enthusiast

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    My RAM usage jumps at random.
    Seriously, not half an hour ago I was at 35% usage, and now I'm at 61.

    It can't be normal for the bottom to get so hot, it's unbearable to touch, right?

    And finally, the left side also gets hot enough to melt the plastic around the charger head.

    Help? I contacted support and they told me they couldn't do anything until I payed them 300 dollars to extend the warranty...
     
    Waste, Jul 12, 2011
    #1
  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Well download HWInfo32 and check your temps. That is definitely dangerous.
     
    widezu69, Jul 12, 2011
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  3. Waste

    Waste Notebook Enthusiast

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    The highest temps I see are on my CPU cores. All between 70 and 74 C


    Lol, noticed the option to switch to Fahrenheit, most temps are over 120. That can't be good =(
    As far as I know I take care of my system. Dusting from time to time and what not.

    What could be the problem?
     
    Waste, Jul 12, 2011
    #3
  4. dhruv300

    dhruv300 Notebook Consultant

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    Kind-of the same problem here. Got a brand new system exchange system in January, it's been six months, and I got my CPU at 70 when idle and 80 when in game. GPU at 56-63 when idle and maxes out at 95 when in game (all temperatures in Celsius). I paid a Dell technician a little more than $35 to take a look at what the problem is. I'm pretty sure it's my thermal paste that needs to be replaced, but just to be on the safe side...

    Waste, I think I'm on the same boat as you.
     
    dhruv300, Jul 12, 2011
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  5. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    I expect your diagnosis is precisely correct. Those temps are way too high; I suspect your CPU is actually hitting higher temps from time to time. Cleaning out your M15x and applying new thermal paste (and pads, where needed) is not difficult, but takes a while the first few times. Inap has created excellent Guides to walk you through the process. Download THERMAL PASTE GUIDE.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way. See also Download M15x GPU.rar from Sendspace.com - send big files the easy way for useful information and more pictures.

    These may also be useful:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bi7lkW9NXc&feature=related

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oam6GIIslGo&NR=1

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7KUTPbDX1Q&feature=related

    @Waste -- I expect the same thing applies to you after you get the results from HWiNFO32; From your description, it sounds like temps are much higher than 70-74C, at least from time to time under load. Celsius is the accepted measure of temperature in this world.
     
    The Revelator, Jul 12, 2011
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  6. dhruv300

    dhruv300 Notebook Consultant

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    I have this guide somewhere on my computer lol. Wanted to know, what is the alcohol used for? Also, wanted to know what's the difference between the thermal pads and the heatsink, lol I'm a little nooby to tearing down computers.

    By the way, sorry for sidetracking a bit Waste.
     
    dhruv300, Jul 12, 2011
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  7. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The alcohol is used as a solvent to dissolve the old thermal paste in connection with cleaning the CPU and GPU dies and the heatsinks. Thermal pads attach to the GPU heatsink immediately over the video ram chips to help create a secure, tight connection between the heatsink and the vram chips to facilitate heat dispersal from the vram through the heatsink. In some cases, you can clean and re-use the existing pads. Most factory pads are about 1mm thick. Performance junkies often replace those pads with .5mm pads, mostly to create a better connection between the GPU die and the heatsink to achieve better cooling. The CPU heatsink will usually have one, sometimes two, pads attached. No need to replace those unless there is obvious damage. Just re-use as is. Most of this is illustrated in Inap's Guides.
     
    The Revelator, Jul 12, 2011
    #7