M17x R1 GPU overheating

I have an Alienware M17x R1 (Specs in sig) and when I play a demanding game like Crysis, GOW, or COH it will run fine till about 10 minutes of gameplay and then the game will lag horrible bad for about a minute and then it goes back to normal, shortening the intervals everytime. My GPU usually hits 85C when the lag begins and then drops to like 70C. So I'm pretty sure my GPU's are downclocking. If I run Furmark for 2 minutes my GPU's hit 95C but the screen does not lag like it does in games. This only happens with SLI enabled. I have had this laptop for 3 months and have cleaned it out from where the HDD's and RAM compartments are. But I cannot get to the GPU fans because I do not have that type of screwdriver.

 

disable discrete graphics and disable hybrid sli

 

My intergrated graphics are already disabled.

 

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/882/96801936.jpg

Here is a graph from speedfan.

 

lets see a pictures of hwmoniter....

 

Alright hold on.

 

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/7721/94090247.jpg
There.

BTW the current temp is the far left, the min is the center, and the max temp is the far right.

 

you need to update your bios. Try that first.

 

I just flashed with A03 Bios. Didn't help anything.

 

really. i dont know your level at being a computer tech, if you are comfortable, pull it apart and clean out your vents and reapply thermal paste.

if you aren't. i would call dell and see if you can get them replaced. but i'm afraid they wont take action unless you are close to 100c. more then 95c on both gpu's.

 

I don't have the tool to open the M17x up that far. And this laptop has no warranty.

 

You can get a set of small screwdrivers in any big store for under 10$. So go for it, you will need to open the system and get to the GPUs/Fans and clean them and the vents too.
Re-seat the cards and the SLI cable. Also, make sure there is a good air flow and the vents are never blocked (don't put on your bed) during the normal use.

Don't game till you do it, especially since there is no warranty.

 

Yep - those temps are way high. Not a good sign. Are you overclocking at all? If so, restore to normal clocks. What version of the display driver? Stock 179.85? If you are using the stock dell driver, try this: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?p=5699970#post5699970

Ensure proper airflow is available as Aikimox and others have already mentioned. Take a compressed air can and give it a shot as well.

You should seriously consider getting that thing under warranty again.
http://support.dell.com/support/top...?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=pub&~ck=anavml&servicetag=

If you do open up the system, be sure to reference the service manual as it walks you through each step.
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/M17x/

 

I am using 195.62 from Nvidia's site. I've tried switching to Dell's but the Nvidia control panel screws up since I have W7.

I have it proped up on a rack type thing so it's getting more than enough airflow. I have dogs so maybe some dust or hair get stuck up in the GPU fans. I'll get warranty on it once I fix this.
BTW what should the GPU temps run at?

Thanks for the help,
-Nonya

 

Depending on the ambient temp, but generally under 80c is ok.
Some say - 85 and even 90, but IMO if you constantly run at 90c the memory on the cards will fail way sooner.
Keep in mind that with Nvidia cards you don't see the temps on the memory and when at load the difference can be more than 10c (memory runs hotter than the core and is more sensitive)

 

Just opened it up and when I took the GPU out I saw dust blocking every hole in the vents. Needless to say its running nice and cool now. Problem fixed. Thanks for all the help

 

You are welcome!
Glad it's ok now. Enjoy the great system