New m15x owner with concerns

Hi, I just purchased the alienware m15x and had a few questions regarding the labtop. First my specifications. x9000 2.8ghz, 8800M GTX, 200gb 7200 rpm HD, 1900x1200 15 inch screen, 4 gbs of ram, and vista 32bit. Yeah I might upgrade to vista 64bit later to make good use of the ram.

My question was, are the temperatures okay for the system???? My system reached 70c - 80c undermax load for the cpu, and the gpu has reached 88c maybe even 90c underload. These temperatures maybe still under threshold levels, but are cutting it way way too close. These numbers are from the bios previous to the most recent one released, the recent one is X34. After upgrading to X34 however temperatures have decreased slightly. The GPU is still hovering around 84-87c but the CPU has dropped to 60-67c under load. These numbers are better but still cutting it too close to threshold levels and potentially hardware damaging levels in my opinion. Idle temps were good 30c for cpu 55c for the gpu under stealth conditions with x34drivers. prior to x34 the idle temps were only slightly higher. +-5c

So does anyone know if anything else can be done besides waiting for bios drivers? I currently use a zalman nc2000 cooler that is always on to cool this beast but even that does not cool it more than 5c. Should I try to change the cpu and gpu grease with arctic silver 5 ?

Also what nvidia drivers would you guys recommend? Are drivers released by nvidia okay to use on the 8800m gtx? as long as they are made for 8800m gtx? Or do I have to wait for alienware to approve of them?

Besides the temperature problem, I am pretty satisfied with my laptop. No downclocking was ever observered only super high temperatures. It downclocks when idling but that is expect and is okay with me.
Forgot to mention that the fans dont kick in as often as they used to after the X34update. The fans dont kick in until the cpu heats up to 45c in CPUID. Thermofan would read around 55c when the fans kick in. Prior to x34 the fans would usually be on all the time. 2500 rpm for the GPU the CPU turned on and off sporatically usually around 39c and above.

 

im not sure about the cpu but those are normal gpu temps. i would recommend using the 177.72 drivers to help with idle temps. just download it from laptopvideo2go. they will bring the performance level down to performance level 1. one of the reps said that changing the compound will void your warranty so i dont recommend you do that. the zalman cooler doesnt seem to do anything for me. i have the nc1000 just sitting here collecting dust.

 

I've mentioned this somewhere before but you could try the Belkin laptop cooler. It's pretty decently priced at $35. It's kept my m15x nice and cool. I haven't tried Zalman yet but several people have approved of their coolers.

I'd also back up exiled in saying that the 177.72 has worked well for my 8800M GTX. I actually don't think any m15x 8800M GTX owners have had a problem with it. That would be your best bet.

 

yeah, v177.72 are awesome. my GPU rarely goes above 50°C while doing normal work.

 

my gpu idles around 60 and my cpu around 45. The gpu usually downclocks at lik 90 if ever but the cooling system in the m15x is ok. If you can, get a program called everest, it is an amazing system monitor. it will tell you the max temps that your machine can handle. yours are fine though, shouldn't be much of a problem. but try new drivers like whizzo says.

 

Your GPU and CPU max temps are OK. The max temp for the GPU(s) on my m9750 are 90C. Threshold level is 100C for the 7950gtx. I have never had any issues with downclocking or artifacting with these temperatures and I have had my m9750 for over a year now. My CPU temps peak out in the upper 70s under load and this too is OK (T7600C2D) since the warning temp is 85C.

I would be more concerned about the ambient temperature of surrounding components when the GPU is running at max temperatures. Does your chassis feel hot to the touch under these conditions or do the fans run at max rpm of the time? If so, that may be a reason for concern.

 

Guess AW is the laptop if you want to "miss" hitting the target with your wife, they say a hot laptop is not good for sperm count...

 

uh.... yeah. i do not want to know how you use your laptop. me personally, it's on the desk, and the GPU vent is on the back, pointing away from me. but each to his own

 

ROLF.... This seems to be "hot" topic.... (",)

OB

 

The laptop is noticably warmer when im using it. the fan for the cpu is usually off now after the x34 update. until about 50c than it kicks in for a little while. The GPU fan though is always on. at about 2500 rpm. i just hope this is wont shortern the laptop components lifespan. I thought intels new duo core CPUs were supposed to run super cool???

 

Hahahaha classic! Yeah, I can say the same...the laptop is on the desk. However to some...it may not be so.