The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    M17x and the MCP Temps/Overheating

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Narkoleptik, Nov 2, 2009.

  1. Narkoleptik

    Narkoleptik Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    Anybody have any info on why the MCP gets up to 90+ C when playing games. It started happening about 2 weeks ago, and the temperature seems higher since 7 was installed. I watch the temp on the MCP with Everest and it is idling at about 80 - 83 when not doin anything, gets up past 90 - 94 when playing a game.
     
    Narkoleptik, Nov 2, 2009
    #1
  2. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,395
    Messages:
    7,964
    Likes Received:
    25
    Trophy Points:
    206
    Are you sure the 280s are enabled? Check your BIOS settings, make sure both are enabled (Integrated/Hybrid Graphics). Make sure you are not in Stealth Mode.

    If everything is configured correctly, I would say call Dell - that is too high.
     
    BatBoy, Nov 2, 2009
    #2
  3. Narkoleptik

    Narkoleptik Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I've got hybrid disabled, only the 280s are being used. I've got 191.07 for the drivers and have also tried Dell's Drivers...

    The only thing I haven't really tried was reformatting the unit and starting out with only Dell's Approved Drivers. I assume that perhaps the chipset drivers control the MCP and any cooling tech with it. So I'm wondering if the fact that I upgraded from vista to 7 without a clean install may be the culprit.

    Any thoughts? I'm having the feeling I may be needing to send to Dell also. =(
     
    Narkoleptik, Nov 2, 2009
    #3
  4. Narkoleptik

    Narkoleptik Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I restored the unit back to Vista, and the MCP temps haven't gone past 89c since while playing a game. What kinda temps are others having while gaming on the MCP?
     
    Narkoleptik, Nov 2, 2009
    #4
  5. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    7,395
    Messages:
    7,964
    Likes Received:
    25
    Trophy Points:
    206
    I'm a bit confused - you say the MCP/9400 is reaching 90+ but you are only running the 280's. How are you reading the MCP temp? Try this:

    You say you have Hybrid disabled in the BIOS, also disable 'Integrated Graphics'. Either disable or enable - but do it for both (Integrated and Hybrid).
     
    BatBoy, Nov 2, 2009
    #5
  6. Narkoleptik

    Narkoleptik Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    19
    Messages:
    132
    Likes Received:
    17
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I had both disabled in the bios. only the 280s were bring used. You can still see the MCP's temp with everest in this mode.

    Recently I turned it on without the power and it disabled the 280s. During this time the MCP was idling at 74c.

    Would it be wise to attempt to apply new thermal paste to the MCP and the CPU while it's open?
     
    Narkoleptik, Nov 4, 2009
    #6