m1530 underperforming in games/3dmark

I've been using my m1530 for a couple months now but I've just started gaming and whatnot. For some reason it seems really underpowered though... I ran 3dmark06 at 1280x1024 (with forceware 169.28) and came out with around ~2900, shouldn't I be faring closer to ~4000? Games don't seem to be running too well either, I have to bring down settings in games a notch lower than what other people are reporting they're playing at. Oh and one more thing, my GPU temps seem to be constantly high.. I always thought it was kinda hot but apparently its ~80 C (from NVIDIA Monitor) just from browsing and watching video/dvd. I don't have a cooler of any sort and I tend to use the laptop on my bed, perhaps thats a problem?

I just installed the 174.74 drivers and I'll run 3dmark06 again to see if that makes any difference, but I think the problem lies somewhere else... also my 8600m GT is running at stock clocks (475/702 according to nTune), so no OCing to speak of.

I'd really appreciate some input from you guys about this!

 

make sure you are running in high performance power plan and not in power saver in any circumstances. the temp you reported is quite normal in intense gaming, my 8400m gs has gone to 90c.

 

I would make sure you aren't running in Power Saver mode since that underclocks the graphics card (check the battery icon in the system tray). As for the temperatures, if you don't have the 9-cell battery to raise the notebook, you could stack some coins up or just get something that will lift up the back so the fan can get better air flow, just don't block the fan vent with whatever you use. Propping up the back of my notebook reduces temperatures by almost 10C.

 

Hm it was set to 'laptop/portable' in the power options, I changed it to 'always on'. Anything else I might need to change? Perhaps something in the bios?

I'll run 3dmark again and let you know how it goes.

 

Ok I've got that cleared up, I'm getting 3950 points now. Thanks!

A new issue has arisen however, after doing some research it seems my CPU temperature is far too high. People have reported a max of 78-80C but mine has shot up to almost 100C when I stress tested it! Idle temperatures are also extremely high at around 67C with the GPU even higher in the mid 70s.

It's been suggested that I have a faulty/incorrectly mounted heatsink, what do you guys think? Is there any way this could be a software related issue?

 

100C ???

 

100C is a little high but not dangerous as when the temp is dangerously high the system automatically shuts down. my temps close to 91C on rendering with maya. moreover it was under a stress testing environment which would take the sys to its absolute max. which program did u use for stress testing ??. i dont see anything to worry now

 

Are you still using you laptop on your bed? If it's directly on the bed then it's possible that cooling is being compromised by obstructing the air intake vents on the bottom of the machine.

Have you run stress tests when it's on a hard surface like a table?

 

I've been using Orthos to stress test it, and after about 4 minutes of testing the temperature hits a max of 96-98C, then repeatedly falls and rises again.

I tested this time while holding the laptop up, so no vents were blocked. I know the laptop will turn off when it reaches dangerously high temperatures, but I want to know why it's going there. My temperature averages min/max/avg all seem to be significantly higher than that of others.. this laptop is only 3 months old so I doubt the fans are clogged with dust.

 

That's a good tip! I wasn't even aware of that. +rep for you!

I'll rerun my 3Dmark tonight and see if there's a difference.

 

i dont think that the fans will be blocked in a time of 3 months unless u r using it in a dungeon. lemme ask u a question... are these temps occuring only during stress testing ?? or are they common in other situations. if they are only during stress testing, dont worry. the stress test program will take the machine to its limits i.e these temps..... i wouldn be worried if i were you

however just keep your hand outside the vent and see whether it is blocked. french kiss the vent and suck in air... and observe if there is too much dirt...
if results are positive, open the machine and clean it.... follow the dell guide

 

It's only during stress testing that the temps go above 90C, but just from regular use I'm seeing temps in the mid 70 - 80 range. I guess the next thing to do is to invest in a cooling pad, perhaps the zalman nc-1000?

Oh and the vent seems quite clean, I'll open it up later just to check since it seems relatively easy to open.

 

in that case there is no need for extra investment. these temps are very much normal. just keep ur laptop on a hard surface when u do something heavy

 

Hm ok, maybe I just got spooked because everyone seemed to be reporting peak temperatures of less than 80. I think the main issue is I use my laptop alot while it's on the bed, effectively blocking the bottom vent. I'm not sure how much a cooler will help in this department, or if I should bother getting one. Does more cooling = more fps in games? Oh and thanks for the help thus far; +rep.

 

i dont think more cooling= more fps. however u will notice staggered performance on a cpu/gpu thats too hot (well out of shutdown limits)
for a chip well inside safe temps these wont be a matter. i havent seen amny ppl report temps on stress testing. usually they report stuff after intense gaming and during normal use. So instead of stress testing do some heavy gaming. lemme recommend crysis. run HWmonitor in background.setup the video as far as u can go with playable fps. play for 1 hour. close it and report back the peak temperature. surf the web for another hour and report back the temperature.

 

When it shuts down from heat issues, then be worried. Until then just check everything is dust free and clean and you will be fine. Cooling wise, when i was a bit worried about heat issues i bought an Antec Notebook Cooler for my F3Ja, and that worked well.

 

Blocking the vents by using it on a bed really isn't the best idea. I've always been told that although it won't effect atual FPS it could effect the longterm life span of those bits of equipment that are running hotter than they really should.

This is the same for any electrical equipment - look at the manual for amps / DVD and they always say not to block airflow.

If you are using it on the bed couldn't you put in on a tray or some other flat surface to improve airflow.

When I use my 1530 on my actual lap I notice it gets hotter over time and soon becomes too uncomfortable, so I put the laptop on a tray to reduce the heat build up.

 

Yeah, i know what you mean i speak to soo many people who will put it on a bed or sofa, and i have to explain what the big air vent and fan at the bottom is actually for.

 

Yup, the bed = the problem. I'll try and find something flexible to put the notebook, perhaps one of those thermal mats might do the trick. I've got a wooden board but that doesn't dissipate heat so well.

 

I'll take the laptop off the bed NOW if I were you.

Reason? How about seeing an Acer got burned after watching a DVD on bed for less then 2 hrs? Of course the guy had been using that NB on bed for weeks if not longer and well, that's what he got.

 

yikes, I didn't know it could be that serious lol. I'll continue using it on the bed, but I'll find surface on which to put the laptop on so the mattress doesn't stop the vent from working properly.