New XPS overheating - not sure why

My 2 month old Dell M1530 idles at the following temps:




I really don't know why... It's been like this for a couple weeks or more now. Power settings are all on max of course... But when I first got the laptop, it'd idle pretty cool... Now my hands sweat while typing :\

Laptop is not overclocked (I did overclock a bit in October for Crysis now and then)

My room is pretty cold.

I'm going to open it up and look for dust... But I really doubt this is the problem.


Specs:

Intel T9300
8600M GT 256Mb DDR3



All help, opinions and suggestions are very much appreciated, thanks!

 

Okay, it's only been a few minutes since I made that screen shot... Temperate is now at shocking levels:





What the hell?!




I'm not running many programs as you can see:




Rest of power settings:

 

Looks like a faulty thermal solution. Can you take a look at your task manager and sort by CPU usage as well as open up CPUZ. This will tell you if some background program is constantly running and at what clock. Those temperatures are even hot for 100% usage on your processor for extended periods of time. If it turns out to be normal usage, then I would say contact Dell.

 

Update to most recent BIOS (and official graphics drivers).

Restore all your power settings to default. Same for anything else you've alterered via any software tools (o/c's etc).

Download HWMonitor instead of speedfan and use that to check temps of all system components (allow to run for a while in idle to see max/min/current). Report back with these results.

 

@ gengerald:

No intensive programs running right now

@ v_c:

You're not really meant to update graphic drivers officially, so I'm just leaving them at stock. They were fine to begin with :S


Also, when in "Power-Saver" mode, the laptop idles around 50something degrees celcius. That is bad, considering "High Performance" used to idle around 45 in the past.


I will restore everything to default and maybe try out a newer BIOS driver... But I think it's more to do with hardware/ dust since the laptop used to be very cool with the same drivers and settings. Hmm... Odd :\

 

Unfortunately, the Dell 1530's normally run hot when upgraded. The heatsink is a single copper bar with a single fan across teh chipset. Try a better adn thinker compound like arctive silver on the proc.

 

Sorry about the spelling. I meant a thicker compound.

 

But but... It used to idle at 47 I want it back like that. Will Dell support fix me up?

 

Is your fan dirty? Lots of dust. I find after I cleaned it it helped my temps alot. also, If your still under warranty call dell up tell them your computer is running hot. (Say it burning your leg or something...)

 

lol k

just to clarify, opening up my laptop doesn't void warranty under EU law, right?

 

It shouldn't, just don't remove the heatsink.

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/xpsM1530/en/OM/HTML/parts.htm#wp1116017

That should help... (that tells you how to access the fan & heatsink, It was the best I could find quick )

 

I had the same problem. Call Dell. They replaced my motherboard, heatsink/fan. I've had no problems since then.

 

Thanks, I love you <3

 

Not sure under EU law but here in Australia...bullshi*!
The last dell technician who was here told me that dell makes it that easy to open the laptop so you can do simple things by your self without calling the support to change the RAM or to clean the fan or to change the HDD.

 

Ah cool, there was dust trapped in the exhaust vent (almost impossible to see).

Solution:

1) Open the cover for the heatsink+fan
2) Put mouth against exhaust vent
3) Blow

Loads of dust should fly out of the laptop.

 

Can anybody tell me what the numbers should look like running normally?
Thanks,
Jane