Need notebook expert feedback please, Heat on M15x GPU!

Hello all


Well I been trying to figure out if the current heat on the M15x is healthy and normal for the notebook. As you guys know the M15x is alienwares 15.4" notebook with a 8800 nvidia gtx card. Now after the bios fix, the temp starts at 56C when system is booted. 20 minutes later the system heat jumps to 87C then the fans kick in and the temp goes down to around mid 70'sC and then goes to 82C-84C and stays there for a while. A lot of people reported that their M15x repeated this process that went back up to 87C then fans would kick in again go back down to mid 70'sC then back up to 82C-84C and stays there for a while.

Now my question is, is this healthy for the system? Is the temp normal? and is the inconsistency and temperature jumps normal and good for the system?
Been asking this question for a while now and didn't get any expert feedback, hoping to get some fro this section, thanks a lot!

 

When these temperature spikes occur, are you gaming? If you are...they aren't TOO bad, they wont significantly shorten the life of your parts.

If you are just surfing around the web and the like, your system should be nowhere near that hot, it sounds like your fans are being completely deactivated when the temp is below about 84C.

It is also somewhat possible that your system is not correctly detecting your temps. Otherwise, is there an option in the BIOS or the OS to active fans at a lower temperature? So, say, when the system hits 60C the fans start spinning up? It seems like the system is pulling an all or nothing in terms of fan usage, when it really ought to be gradually stepping them up as temperature increases.

 

The tempertures I gave is ONLY when the system is understress and gaming and also while testing performance using 3dmark06.

Please experts need feedback so I can decide today whether to order a m15x or to just order something else. I'm worried this might not be a normal temp and might overtime break the system. !

 

Wait...you don't actually own a 15x? So where'd you get the data?

Anything below 90C for a GPU is fine during gaming. My MBP goes pretty far into the 80s and its fine. Some ASUS machines play with an 8600m GT at around 90C and are fine.

I already said, even at 85C level of heat, the life of the 15x should not be significantly shortened. The effect would be minimal, maybe the system will last 9 years instead of 10. If you plan on keeping the system that long I highly recommend buying a desktop instead.

 

I`d advise you to stay away from it.
Either get the sager 5793 or the upcoming M860TU if you need a 15 incher.

 

Thanks for the feedback you two. See this is my dilemma, some say the heat is fine and some say its not. Who is right? is there an expert who can trump everyone and give us the facts? Its friday and I want to order it today if I decide to, just need to get this info

 

!anyone can give expert input?

 

Unless you are REALLY interested in the design of the 15x, I'd check out some of the laptops eleron mentioned. They should have similar hardware for a much better price.

Anyone with a 15x want to respond?

 

AW does have some sort of return policy right? Its usually 21 days.

If you notice is has issues on the first week then return it

 

AW has an idiotic 15% return fee policy regardless. Talk about customer service and respect.

 

Looks like eleron got dumped for Dell.

 

That's pretty normal temp behaviour for a gaming notebook.
You have to realise also that its a 15.4" with a high performance vid card which will obviously heat up quicker than typical 17" gaming laptops. If you're that concerned go for something bigger like a 17" gaming laptop...obviously there's a tradeoff in portability but temps will be more manageable.