Gateway M-6864FX Shutting off when gaming

Hello,

I have a Gateway M-6864FX with an ATI mobility HD 2600. I have undervolted my CPU using RMClock to 1.025V @ 12x (& .95 @ 6x with auto-adjust on for in-betweens) and is rather stable for normal day to day usage. However, whenever I load up a game I'm getting a lot of heating issues and after extended gameplay (usually 1 hour or so) my computer will often shut off (not even bsod, just shuts down).

I'm not exactly sure what the temps are before the computer shuts off, but I know the CPU is typically 80+C and being throttled by RMClock. I have even tried reducing the multiplier but eventually run into the same problem (it just takes longer). Sometimes it doesn't shut off, but at the very least I do see decreased performance and FPS when playing. Makes it rather difficult to use for any gaming. I think it may possibly be the GPU overheating since it's only with games that I get this.

I do not have a cooling pad yet, but am looking into buying one. My only concern is that a cooling pad may not be enough. Any suggestions? I did open up the bottom and tried cleaning any dust, but there wasn't that much to begin with. Also, any idea if I can replace the fan with something more effective and a bit quieter? Mine tends to make a high pitched whine when it runs at full speed.

Any help is greatly appreciated,
Abe

 

you need to replace the thermal paste and im pretty sure you can undervolt the CPU even lower

 

In the past I have tried undervolting 1 or 2 steps below this, but I would occasionally get bsod so I upped it for better stability. For replacing the thermal paste, you mean between the heatsink and cpu right? I read somewhere that there is somewhat of a gap between there and that gateway actually used some kind of puddy instead of paste, but i'm not sure if this was for the GPU or CPU in the thread I read. So are you recommending that I should just replace what's there with AS5 on the cpu then? Anything I should do for the graphics card since it may be overheating as well?
Thanks for the quick response,
Abe

 

The gap filled by something other than thermal paste would most assuredly be the GPU. But yes, I'd recommend cleaning off the old thermal paste and applying some new, then cleaning the dust out of the heatsink. That should cool things down noticeably.

 

i recommend you replace the pad from the gpu and apply IC Diamond 7 on both CPU and GPU that paste is thick enough to fill the gap between the heatsink. you can buy it from here: http://www.heatsinkfactory.com/ic-diamond-7-carat-thermal-compound-15-gram-p-16605.html

Really weird that you cant undervolt lower i undervolted mine as shown:
0=6.0x------0.9500v
1=7.0x------0.9500v
2=8.0x------0.9500v
3=9.0x------0.9500v
4=10.0x-----0.9500v
5=11.0x-----0.9500v
6=12.0x-----0.9750v

 

Or, for better temperatures, use a copper shim sandwich.

 

Thanks for all the responses guys. I think i may try out the IC7 first only because I've never done a copper shim sandwich before. In the meanwhile I may try messing with my voltage settings again, but I don't think I've seen anyone go lower than 1.000V at 12x with the 6864FX before.

Btw, I was thinking of buying this laptop cooler (antec notebook cooler to go) as well as I thought I recall someone saying it worked well for this model or the 6862:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834997396

Either that or one of the zalman models (zm-nc1000 or 2000) since they seem highly reviewed and I don't really need portability for the cooler. Anyone know for this gateway model if they've had more success with a particular cooler?

One last thing, any idea if the fan for this laptop can be replaced or made quieter somehow? I don't mind too much, but when I'm using voice programs people often complain of hearing the whining sound through my mic.

Thanks again for all the help!
-Abe

 

Basically you make a cutout from a thin sheet of copper the same size as the GPU die. Then you put thermal paste on the die, then the copper shim, and then paste on the shim itself. That way it fills in the gap best.


Also, when gaming, try running something like EVGA precision with the onscreen display enabled so you can get an idea what temperatures you're getting.

 

Try Undervolting your GPU... it might drop temps... Also get a notebook cooling pad... and get some new thermal paste on ur CPU and GPU...