G50Vt-X5, GPU bad?

First, let me say ty for having such great info. Trying to Google for some answers kept landing me here with great advice, so I figured I'd register and ask the question I could not find an answer for .

I have an Asus G50Vt-X5 (the orange flame BB one), and it has hands down been the best laptop I've ever owned. I've had bad luck with laptops in the past, so when I bought it I also bought the extended warranty. This may be important later.

It's always run a little warm, but it's a gaming laptop, and I figured that was to be expected. I bought a chill mat and ignored it. Someone made a comment about how hot it was recently when I was out and about with it, so I finally started looking into it, and I'm not liking what I'm seeing.

I play WoW, and I'm getting the following per GPU Observer:

Web browsing on Win7 – 85C
WoW, Low settings – 82C, 53.7 FPS
WoW, Fair settings – 95C, 52.3 FPS
WoW, Good settings – pegged at 110, 54.7 FPS
WoW, High settings – pegged at 110, 39.6 FPS
WoW, Ultra settings – pegged at 110, 27.9 FPS

CPUs are running around 70C while playing.

Yes, I am sure those are C, not F. Yes, I have removed the bottom plate and cleaned (canned air, I have not removed components). Yes, the fan is working (just moving a LOT of hot air).

I'd had a problem for months with my framerate hitting the toilet when I play for a while, which I now know coincides with the GPU hitting 110C and downclocking . As soon as it cools off, framerate comes back up until it overheats, rinse and repeat.

I've never been able to run ultra since the day I bought the laptop new. I used to run it on high but I was having framerate issues, so took it to medium. Now it's to the point where I have to keep it on fair to keep the GPU from downclocking, and it will still get there if I play long enough.

So, question is, can the G50Vt just not handle WoW on anything but low or fair, or do I have a bad GPU? Those temps just seem really high to me, even when not playing WoW, but I don't want to take it to BB for service if that's just the nature of WoW and this laptop.

Thanks for the sanity check.

Ahz

 

Repaste your GPU.

It should easily run WoW, your card is obviously overheating.

 

You got it easy, you can access the GPU from the bottom panel, IIRC.

 

Correct, it is right there. Also saw the disassembly guide on here should I be so brave, but thinking I'll call BB on their "covers everything" warranty and let them eat the cost of the paste and labor.

I thought this thing should be able to handle the higher graphics, so I really appreciate the confirmation. I won't feel quite so stupid walking into BB with it.

Incidentally, what should the idle temp be on that 9800 from cold boot? Something less than 85C? If so I may be able to get out of there without even mentioning WoW and giving them a chance to blow it off as bad programming.

Ahz

 

... yes, assuming they do it correctly. I'd just push for a replacement, and "settle" for a repaste. If they do it incorrectly, then push for a replacement on the grounds that "you already gave them a chance to do it right, and since you're assuming that they DID do it right, it's defective".

Although, getting them to replace it if it isn't shutting down automatically is generally more difficult. Most laptop manufacturers will say that so long as it doesn't shut down, it's operating within spec. Most resellers (reputable ones) will replace it or repaste it if it is over 100 ... but BB isn't what I'd call reputable.

 

Hmmn, good point. Maybe I should just run it on Ultra until it finally blows and there's no question of repasting! (just kidding)

Thanks for the advice.