SXPS 16 w ATI5730 - Throttle @ 75, Hardcrash @ 85

Anyone else with a SXPS16 w/ HD5730 getting throttling at 75C and hardcrash at 85C? Many have reported temps higher than this, so I'm confused as to what's going on. Maybe it's the latest drivers?

Additional details:
BIOS version: A09 (11/05/2010)
GPU: ATI HD5730
GPU driver version: Catalyst 10.11 (8.791.0.0)
Ambient temp: 25C
GPU idle temp: 59C
CPU idle temp: 60C

Interesting thing is, I looked up the Event Viewer logs after a series of hardcrashes, and there's a mention of POWERPLAY along with the message "System shutdown due to graphics card overheating". Seems like this is the ATI POWERPLAY "feature", but I have it on default settings, so there's nothing out of the ordinary there.

Any thoughts?

 

Should we assume you're overclocking it, and that's why it's still heating up after it is "throttling"? Otherwise, I don't think anyone else has ever posted about a SXPS 16 heating up (especially 10 degrees) WHILE it's throttling.

Or it might be a hardware failure.

 

No, I'm not overclocking. Sorry if I'm using the term "throttling" incorrectly, but judging from a sudden drop in FPS that persists, and one that seems to coincide with an increase in temperature, I have to assume that's the case.

But that notwithstanding, I wasn't aware that the hard thermal limit was 85C... I'm almost sure I've seen my GPU happily go past that a while back. The only thing that's changed is drivers, but everyone I've asked who's running Catalyst drivers doesn't seem to be finding an issue there.

Edit: Found this post that seems to confirm A09 should not hardcrash at 85C: http://forum.notebookreview.com/del...i7-owners-lounge-part-2-a-70.html#post6334089

I'll see if I can get GPU-Z logs or something while the GPU is under load.

 

Most people's 4670's won't crash at 100C. The 5730 probably could handle 100C, but Dell put their own limit on it. 85C is probably supposed to be the max. The Video BIOSes are quite a bit different.

 

Fair point. But I still have to wonder - does anyone with a 5730 reach temps > 85 without hardcrashing?

 

i'm sorry but i've never gone over 72C, even with Seeker_Moc's OC'd A12 BIOS (750/950).

however, as gpig said the limit is 85C so you should expect problems at 85+. something like a bluescreen or throttling or a warning? but if you are hardcrashing when yo ureach 85C then i think there is something faulty with your GPU, BIOS, or mainboard. perhaps contact Dell and see if you can get the parts replaced?

just my thoughts, though there are many more knowledgeable out there than i

 

I've never got it to 85, but I have had it over 75 without throttling. The limit should be 85 for throttling and 95 for crash, sounds like you're off by 10C, but I don't know why. You really should try upgrading to A11 or 12, they contain an updated 5730 vBIOS, and see if that fixes anything.

 

You're looking at the wrong GPU on that link (4670)... I'd do what others have recommended and update your BIOS so you get the right vbios for 5000 series card.

What is happening is normal.. it just shouldn't do that for that card at those temps.. first it clocks down and then when that doesn't help, it kills the computer (the messages you saw in eventlog are saying this).

 

Thanks, I figured as much from the EventLog messages. I just took the plunge and flashed to A12, will report back if it makes a difference. Thanks for the many helpful replies so far!

 

Well, I don't seem to be experiencing nearly as severe throttling upon hitting 75C, nor am I hardcrashing at 85 (it never seems to exceed 85). Looks like the BIOS flash helped. I still suspect a cleaning might help lower the temps in general, so I'll be opening the case up in the next little while. Thanks for the help!