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    m15x 3870 FPS stutter

    Discussion in 'Alienware' started by Mazdaspeed_6, Jan 1, 2010.

  1. Mazdaspeed_6

    Mazdaspeed_6 Notebook Evangelist

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    ok i installed the 9.9 ati mobility drivers. something is really weird. once the GPU reaches 90C and up, my FPS will consistently studder every second. is there something i'm missing? i just installed the 3870. had an 8800m before. is this a driver issue?
     
    Mazdaspeed_6, Jan 1, 2010
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  2. AtolSammeek

    AtolSammeek Tokay Gecko

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    Did you have the Stutter issue and overheating on the Other Driver?
     
    AtolSammeek, Jan 1, 2010
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  3. Mazdaspeed_6

    Mazdaspeed_6 Notebook Evangelist

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    yep. tried the windows stock drivers. same issue.
     
    Mazdaspeed_6, Jan 1, 2010
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  4. Mazdaspeed_6

    Mazdaspeed_6 Notebook Evangelist

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    does it matter what thermal paste i use?
     
    Mazdaspeed_6, Jan 1, 2010
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  5. AtolSammeek

    AtolSammeek Tokay Gecko

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    The stock pad tend to work well.

    Thing I have tried on my last system ran up to 110c was

    Everything was done with a Alienware tech on the phone.
    Update bios
    Update drivers
    check to see if they left tape on thermal pads
    Replaced heatsink fan which came with thermal pads
    Reinstall windows I use a spare hard drive so I did not ruin my system setup
    Tried differnt games like crysis demo.
    Had Gpus replaced

    But what it came down to was the motherboard was faulty.
     
    AtolSammeek, Jan 1, 2010
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  6. EviLCorsaiR

    EviLCorsaiR Asura

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    Changing the thermal paste would more than likely help to get those temperatures down, however the key problem is the very poor heatsink design on the Area-51 m15x.

    All I can recommend is change the stock thermal paste, clean out the fan and heatsink regularly with compressed air to keep them dust free, and if possible get a good notebook cooler like the Cryo LX.

    Luckily, as far as I know there aren't exactly many 3870s that burn out, whereas the nVidia 8000 series was legendary for burning out.
     
    EviLCorsaiR, Jan 1, 2010
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  7. Mazdaspeed_6

    Mazdaspeed_6 Notebook Evangelist

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    what do you mean by thermal pads? paste that is like a sticker? i hope it's not the motherboard, but seeing that i replaced the GPU and fan. it might be the motherboard. if it is, i just might end up selling it for like 700 on ebay so the next person can replace the mother board.
     
    Mazdaspeed_6, Jan 1, 2010
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