Cooling solutions for the 7811?

I've owned the FX 7811 over the past year. It's been somewhat hard to keep it from overheating when playing games like Crysis, Mass Effect, and most recently Arkham Asylum.

I've tried underclocking the CPU, turning off Powermizer, buying an external Hard Drive, a Laptop Cooler ( http://tinyurl.com/2msmfz), turning off the Ethernet Controller, etc. So far nothing has worked other than XFastest drivers 177, if I remember correctly.

The problem with the laptop cooler is that the video card doesn't have a ventilated area and as such no cool air can reach that spot as it is covered, which pretty much renders the laptop cooler useless.

I've come to the conclusion that there is no one issue or fix for every 7811 as I've tried virtually every one that has been posted on here the last year. But I've also learned that my problem with overheating comes down to the GPU when 1t hits over 150F. I really want to get this issue fixed once and for all, if anyone can help that would be great.

 

Take your laptop apart and replace the TIM on the GPU with something decent. Also the GPU memory chips have no TIM on them but somehow they're supposed to transfer heat to the heat sink!!! :S

When I ripped mine open the thermal paste on my GPU was dried out and crusty and my heatsink was clogged on the inside with dust and dog hair. Now it's all clean and I'm running ASC on the GPU and memory and it's running better than ever...

 

if we are going to do a mod it will be good to talk also about HDD cooling solution

I have opened a thread about this but i did not get support that i expected from community.

THE hdd are always above 43-45 witch is not that good and i hate the warmth coming from the HDD at the top.

Post some pics and drwa some lines to see what in your mind really.

 

I disassembled the entire PC and applied some Arctic Silver 5 on the GPU as well as on the CPU a couple of days ago. I think it takes something like 20 startups to really see the AS5 make a difference from what I've heard. But it only takes off a few degrees of heat, like 2-5 from what I've heard.

I'm more worried about what to do in case I have to have a constant system of cooling in case that isn't a permanent fix. Also, where is the GPU memory situated? I can then apply some AS5 to that for further cooling.

 

Underneath the GPU heat sink.

Look at this pic. On the right side of the motherboard surrounding the GPU die.

I would suggest a non capacitive, non conductive TIM such as ASC so you don't risk shorting anything out.

 

Turning powermizer OFF will definitely not lower temps.

Is there a difference in temperature with/without that cooler? If not I recommend you buy a different cooler where you WILL see a difference in temperature.

Everything else was already stated, re-applying TIM to the GPU and memory chips to help dissipate heat, and cleaning out the vents.

You can also use a lower resolution, lower visual settings, etc. (Assuming you don't have everything turned all the way down already).

 

No they will not x2. I have powermizer off and just use batch files to switch between a 2 different performance profiles. The GPU runs quite a few degrees cooler when underclocked and you can switch profiles without a reboot. Anyway, I don't use a laptop cooler and haven't for a while. I strictly use 1/2" tall rubber feet to raise the rear of the laptop for better air circulation. My 8800m GTS doesn't exceed 70 degrees celcius even at 625/925/1650

 

Is there a guide to underclock the GPU?

The cooler really didn't make any difference as stated because there's no ventilation for the CPU as there are for the fans, just the plastic bottom of the laptop. If that's the case I'm not sure there's any cooler that could really get the job done because of the way the laptop is designed.

I will be performing further surgery on the laptop this evening: Putting some more AS5 on the memory modules for the video card Hopefully then I'll get the results I need. I will update as soon as I am done...

 

OK, i took apart the laptop again (no extra screws), applied some AS5 to the memory modules. So far the GPU is the same temperature-wise. But again, it takes a while for it's full potential. Gonna test Arkham Asylum again....

 

What you want to do is "undervolt" your CPU, not underclock it. And yes, there's an undervolting guide around here that easily shows you how to do it using RMclock.

 

I already tried that. Didn't work. It's not my CPU that's the problem, it's my GPU. I need to find a good way to cool it down to a lower temp.

 

My small computer Lair has an overhead ceiling fan. When gaming, i run the fan which blows the doors, pun, off any under laptop cooler. Not sexy but does a fine job of keeping my hot runing drives under control as well.

I'm reaching my two year old mark, maybe pull and clean fans / heat sink then, if i don't sell outright.