M17x CPU heat issue

Hi All,

Just switched my CPU over to windows 7. Didnt have any noticable issues with the OS install except for I noticed while surfing the internet that my computer is hotter then I typically remember it.

I checked HWmonitor/Everest for temps and got the following:

--------[ EVEREST Ultimate Edition ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Version EVEREST v5.30.1900
Benchmark Module 2.4.273.0
Homepage http://www.lavalys.com/
Report Type Report Wizard [ TRIAL VERSION ]
Computer xxxx
Generator xxxx
Operating System Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate 6.1.7600 (Win7 RTM)
Date 2010-03-24
Time 01:32


--------[ Sensor ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type CPU, HDD, ACPI, nVIDIA MCP
GPU Sensor Type Diode (NV-Diode)

Temperatures:
CPU 61 °C (142 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #1 60 °C (140 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #2 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #3 59 °C (138 °F)
CPU #1 / Core #4 60 °C (140 °F)
MCP 74 °C (165 °F)
GPU1: GPU Diode 54 °C (129 °F)
GPU2: GPU Diode 57 °C (135 °F)
GPU3: GPU Diode 69 °C (156 °F)
WDC WD2500BJKT-75F4T0 [ TRIAL VERSION ]
WDC WD3200BEKT-00F3T0 [ TRIAL VERSION ]

Voltage Values:
CPU Core 1.14 V

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone know why my CPU temps are so high? I'm basically idle right now and I think I used to run around 40C before switching to windows 7.

I am not overclocked at all.
I am running the video card drivers from nvidia's site.
I installed a new hard drive into my second internal slot and it is running at the same temp as my stock HDD.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give. I know 60C isnt going to shut my computer down or burn out the CPU...but I am afraid if I stress the system Ill hit around 80C and get shutdowns...

Thanks.

 

Looks like ALL your temps are slightly bumped. It means either the vents are obstructed or there's a dust build-up. Do you keep your system on a flat surface? Also what is your room temp?
It might be a good idea to clean your vents and maybe re-apply the thermal paste on the CPU.

 

The room and the surface are the same as I was running before. The vents are unobstructed. I can crack it open and clean out the vents but I feel like just changing an OS and hard drive shouldnt have resulted in any additional heat issues. I am wondering if maybe a poorly designed driver or something i forgot to install after I updated is causing my system to work a bit harder then it needs to at idle.

Any other help would be really appreciated...I dont think thermal paste is really the problem here given that there was no problem pre-format

 

First clean the vents.
Next, I'd re-flash the A03 BIOS.
Then, if the problem persists I'd re-install everything from scratch.
But I suspect the CPU fan malfunctioning. So if you can check if it's working before creating more headache with re-installs,- will be great.

 

Those temps are about 10 degrees too high. I don't think you need to worry until about 95 Celcius.

Is the Windows power setting 'High Performance' or 'Balanced?'

Any new programs running CPU intensive processes in the background?

Are you watching lots of youtube videos while you surf?

 

There was something about one of the new Nvidia drivers causing heat issues. Try out an older driver that's worked for you before. Laptopvideo2go is a good place to get lots of driver to try out.

 

Are you sure those drivers related to the CPU overheating? That's weird to say the least.

 

I am not really sure what the problem is here. I am at work now so I cant clean my vents until later tonight.

I actually haven't flashed A03 BIOS ever. Still using A00 that my unit shipped with. Would you actually expect the BIOS version change to help with heat issues?

My fan is running but not really at full strength...this makes sense though because its not really at critical temps...just hotter then it should be at idle.

I can try changing drivers for the GPU but since I am mostly concerned with my CPU temps being so much higher then expected I don't think that will fix much. I will however make this change.

I am not doing much of anything while surfing the net. Mostly just reading engadget/gizmodo and making these posts on NBR. I will reconfirm my temps tonight since it should be completely idle all day at home.

 

No, it was gpu overheating, and I didn't think about how isolated the cpu and gpus are in the M17x.

Also, bios updates do sometimes address heat issues, so definitely do that.

 

That's your culprit. BIOS updates do change the thermal tables and most likely will adjust the timing for fans. Do the update, it's urgent.

 

Noted and I will do the flash but I am kind of shocked that my old BIOS which effectively cooled is no longer doing so due to Windows 7 upgrade and a hard drive install. It still just doesn't sound right to me.

Anyway I have been overdue for the BIOS flash so I will take care of that tonight.

 

Windows 7 has different power management algorithms AFAIK and the BIOS needs to be updated to attune.
I had serious overheating issues with my toshiba laptop after switching to W7 from XP. The newest BIOS update fixed the issue.
Good Luck and keep us posted.

 

It just occured to me I havent ever flashed a BIOS. Any tips/directions? A link to a good guide would be great

 

Just download the A03 BIOS from Dell.com and run it

 

Dell bios are extremely easy to flash. Just download and run the .exe with the battery in and the a/c adapter plugged in. It will probably note that you have A00, and it's going to be replaced with A03. It's rather self explanatory, I like it a lot more than the Asus bios flashing process.

Link to bios page: **BIOSBIOSBIOS**

 

yea I actually just tried this and noticed they had the BIOS maker tool built in so looks like they took all of the fun out of it. I will run this tonight after I finish work.

Thanks.

 

Flashed my bios cleaned out the main central fan (it wasnt very dirty). my temperatures remain pretty much the same.

Any other ideas? really need to bring my temps down about 10 celcius so I can try and run some benches etc without getting worried.

 

I think it's time to replace the stock thermal paste on the CPU.

 

*BUY PASTE HERE*

I've used AS5 in the past, but I'll be getting this next time around so I don't have to worry about the electrical conductivity.

 

Yep I'm on MX-3 most of the time. Works like a charm, no bleed, non-conductive and easy to clean/apply. AS5 will work too but has some minor bleed (non-ceramic) and mildly conductive. Many benchers on this forum use OCZ-Freeze. I still have an unopened tube, but reluctant to try it...

 

Ok here is the update:

BIOS updated to A03 didnt work and i had all of the nasty dpc latency issues we all know so much about. I decided to format again and redo drivers to avoid the DPC latency issue.

I now have everything running really well except for that my temps remain a bit higher on the CPU (but lower then before):
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Hardware monitor ACPI
Temperature 0 55°C (131°F) [0xCD2] (TZ00)

Hardware monitor Intel Mobile Core 2 Quad Q9000
Temperature 0 54°C (129°F) [0x2E] (Core #0)
Temperature 1 52°C (125°F) [0x30] (Core #1)
Temperature 2 51°C (123°F) [0x31] (Core #2)
Temperature 3 54°C (129°F) [0x2E] (Core #3)

Hardware monitor NVIDIA GeForce 9400
Temperature 0 64°C (147°F) (GPU Core)

Hardware monitor NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M
Temperature 0 52°C (125°F) (GPU Core)

Hardware monitor NVIDIA GeForce GTX 280M
Temperature 0 53°C (127°F) (GPU Core)

Hardware monitor WDC WD10EADS-65M2B0
Temperature 0 50°C (122°F) [0x32] (Assembly)

Hardware monitor WDC WD2500BJKT-75F4T0
Temperature 0 52°C (125°F) [0x34] (Assembly)

Hardware monitor WDC WD3200BEKT-00F3T0
Temperature 0 48°C (118°F) [0x30] (Assembly)
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyone with the Q9000 running (not overclocked) have a temp reading at idle?

Should i really be running at 40 celcius?

 

My Q9000 is overclocked to 2.4 GHz. My idle temps are at about 35 C with an ambient room temp. at 70 F or below. I have the integrated graphics disabled in BIOS. My BIOS is still at A02. Also, I keep a 1-inch rubber foot under each of rear corners which puts a comfortable slant to the keyboard, and allows more airflow underneath.

 

Try disabling the integrated graphics from the bios, for whatever reason the 9400 is 10* Celsius hotter than all the other parts. Also, are you using hybrid SLi? If so try getting a driver that doesn't have that (so the integrated won't be stressed unless you want it to be).

 

@Wuzawuza,
Your idles for both the CPU and the GPUs should be around 40-50C depending on the ambient. In your case the temps are slightly higher (by 5-10c) and you can do following to reduce them:
Open your system, remove all the fans and heatsinks and blast them with a compressed air, especially important to clean the heatsinks' grills as they are clogged fast and harder to clean but the influence on your temps is huge. Since all your temps are slightly higher, I conclude that your HS grills are clogged.
Next replace the thermal pad on your MCP/NB with a thick paste (MX-3, ICD-7/24) or a better quality pad and replace the CPU thermal compound with any preferred paste (AS5/OCZ/MX-3/etc)
You will be perfectly fine!
If you need help and guidance in disassembling and doing the mentioned maintenance - you can always get it here.
Good Luck!