Do I have a graphics card or CPU problem?

I have an Intel E5200 Dual Core processor on a Sony all-in-one computer. The graphics card is a Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD. The computer is a hybrid notebook /desktop.

VGC-JS320J/S | VAIO® JS Series Desktop PC | Sony | Sony Style USA

Only one game is played on the system. Mahjong Titans (the game that comes with Windows 7). Whenever I play Mahjong Titans the fan runs at a high RPM. When Windows boots, it is at 2150 RPM. After playing Mahjong Titans for about an hour, the RPM goes to about 3,500 and the fan is loud. It always happens.

The temperature of the cores remain at 36 and 38 degrees.

Do I have a graphics card problem, CPU problem, or other issue?

Could Mahjong Titans which is a 3D game be too much for the x4500 to handle? I can’t imagine it is. Would a dedicated GPU solve the problem? I was told that even if I get a dedicated graphics card, it still might heat just as much as the x4500. Is that true?


If I upgrade the processor to an E7400 Core 2 Duo, will that processor not heat up as much as the E5200 when playing Mahjong Titans and consequently lower the fan RPM?


I am not looking for any other solutions. I have tried everything else imagineable.

 

well you answered your own questions, at least one of them:

Temperature of the cores remain at 36 and 38 degrees. This means that your gpu is having some problem. I have no idea what Mahjong Titans is, but what is its minimum requirement?

If Mahjong Titans requires somewhat good gpu, then your integrated gpu is pushing itself too hard, resulting in the increase of the rpm of your fan. But if you get a decent dedicated gpu, then it won't have to work as hard so it might not heat just as much as the x4500.

I could be wrong, but this is what I think. for now, I strongly recommend you to upgrade your graphics card.

 

Mahjong Titans comes loaded with Windows 7. I would really like to know if a game like this that can tax a x4500HD graphics card. If the answer is "no", I know to look for another solution. I believe it is a 3D game. I do not know if that fact is relevant.

 

The X4500HD should have no problem at all with Mahjong Titans. Mahjong Titans is essentially a basic 2-D game that will run fine on even netbooks, so it's definitely not stressing either your CPU or your integrated GPU. In short, not a hardware issue.

You may have some sort of driver issue that's responsible for your fan ramping up in speed. Do you have the latest BIOS and drivers for your computer?

 

I do have the lates BIOS and drivers.

Someone told MT was 3D. They are probably wrong then. It does look 3D though.

I don't think it is a hardware issue. It doesn't make sense to me that it is. However, there is a cause and effect with the game being played and fan running high.

One thing interesting that happens is when I put the computer into sleep mode, then come out of it 5 seconds later, the fan RPM resets to the original RPM when Windows boots. 2,150 RPM

NBR user moral hazzard sent me a pm with a suggestion to patch the DSDT table.

How to Reduce Fan Noise on HP Notebooks: Patching the DSDT table

I was thinking about using a fan resistor cable on the fan.

Zalman ZM-RC56 7V Noiseless Resistor 3-Pin Fan Speed Reduction Cable at SVC.com

What do you think of those solutions?

 

When's the last time you put a fresh install of Windows on your machine?

 

This problem has been happening since I bought the computer new a year ago.

 

Just to keep everyone informed, the topic was previously started here
http://forum.notebookreview.com/har...-will-upgrading-processor-reduce-fan-rpm.html

Also keep in mind this is a desktop all-in-one, and is probably better suited to discussion at DTR.

 

Seeing as this is a desktop question, you will need to visit our sister site DTR.