CPU downclocks itself at 80 degrees C

Hello,

For some odd reason, my CPU downclocks itself when it reaches 80 degrees C under load (while gaming, etc.). It jumps from 1.8 GHz to 0.8 GHz and stays there until the temperature drops again. This process repeats itself every minute or so and thus makes gaming impossible, as I only get around 10 fps during this time.

I own an MSI M677 Crystal edition with an AMD Turion TL-56 and Geforce Go 7600 inside. Both the CPU and GPU share the same fan and I have no way to control fanspeed.

I know 80 degrees might be a little hot, but I've read about this processor being able to handle around 100 degrees. 80 seems a bit low to start downclocking so extremely, so could there be a way to fix this?

 

might want to get yourself a cooler or something. Idk.

 

I hear Coleman makes great coolers.

 

I'd see if you can check your cooling on the laptop make sure there's no fluff in there and it's all working. You could also invest in a cooling pad. There are plenty of reviews of cooling pads here on nbr. Have a look in accessories.

You could also try undervolting your cpu using rmclock.

 

Yeah, check out the cooling guide, it covers alot of points. The Zalman NC1000, Spire Pacific Breeze, are both popular coolers, and have a look at my notepal infinite review (in sig).

 

You should check your computer for dust etc. Get some compressed air and clean it out if you see any. The processor is downclocking either to keep it from frying OR its about to fry and the downclocking your seeing it the hardware being stressed.

 

You might also want to update your BIOS. I've never heard of a processor that downclocks at 80C...

1) Maybe the program isn't reading temps right, and the CPU is much hotter than 80C? That's a definitely possibility.
2) Maybe BIOS, as mentioned, to protect the notebook. Kind of stupid though as 80C certainly isn't dangerous (its just hot).

Definitely read the Cooling Guide, clean the notebook, and get a cooler. Best darn advice you can get from that article.

 

Actually, 80C is pretty darned hot. While I'm not up on my current thermal design specs, the AMD Athlon XP used to have a maximum operating temperature of 90C. EDIT: from what I've been able to find, the max. operating temperature of a TL-56 is 95C, and I wouldn't want to run it at that temp.

I'm sure the notebook is set to monitor CPU temperatures through the BIOS and the system's temp sensors, and is throttling the CPU. I'd inspect the fans to make sure they're operating properly. I'd also make sure you aren't gaming without using a laptop cooling pad, or at least making sure that none of the vents are blocked while you are.

There are some software utilities out there (e.g., SpeedFan) that might be able to control your fan speed to ramp them up faster at certain temperature thresholds. I'd look into into installing such a utility to monitor your system and ramp the fans up to try to avoid getting to this temperature. If you're the techie/adventurous type, you may wish to re-apply thermal compound to your CPU to provide a better thermal interface between it and its heatsink/fan unit.

 

Question: is it 80C while idle or 80C when at full load. I didn't think to ask...!

If not full load, well then yes you do have a heating issue! If that is full load, just got some cooling on the notebook.

Most processors are good up until 95-105C...85C is definitely the hottest I'd ever want to see it running. Preferably 80C...max.

 

To answer some of your questions:

I've tried cleaning, but the only way to really check for dust and remove it, is to unscrew the fan and I really don't want to do that.

The temperature reaches 80C on full load and then downclocks itself to 0.8 GHz.

I'm looking into undervolting, but I can't figure out how to get it stable. It keeps on crashing.

I might go and buy a cooling pad, but first I really want to try and fix the problem of it downclocking at that temperature.. Anyway, thanks for the help so far. First I'll try speedfan.

Edit: I've tried Speedfan, but for some reason it can't detect or change the fan's speed.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=158647&page=4&highlight=Undervolting+guide

This should help a little in undervolting