The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Thermal solution for 100% CPU utilization?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by dchen2k, Jun 18, 2011.

  1. dchen2k

    dchen2k Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    82
    Messages:
    161
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Are laptops not supposed to run at 100% CPU all tht time?
    I just upgraded my Compaq V5000Z to ML-40. I used the "grain of uncooked rice" method with Arctic silver ceramique. During normal workload the temperature is about the same before upgrade, usually between 43-55 C.

    However, when I ran virus scan right after heavy IO performnce testing with HDtune, the temperature gradually climbed up to 65, 68, and then fluctuated between 70-72. The CPU was always at 100%. As soon as the virus scan finished, the temperature dropped down to 50 in seconds.

    I had similar experiences with Lenoveo T61 which is a business class laptop.... I usually overheat it to crash if I run heavy-duty VMs that force 100% CPUs for a long time... Are laptop not designed to run at 100% CPU at all times or do I need a better thermal solution?
     
    dchen2k, Jun 18, 2011
    #1
  2. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

    Reputations:
    497
    Messages:
    1,142
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    56
    I've never had good luck with the AS ceramic crap, but your temps are just fine.... Start to worry when it gets to 85*+ then panic when it gets to 95*+
     
    whitrzac, Jun 18, 2011
    #2
  3. naton

    naton Notebook Virtuoso

    Reputations:
    806
    Messages:
    2,044
    Likes Received:
    5
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Your temps are normal. The AMD CPU in your laptop is a proper laptop CPU which has the ability to downclock when you're running light applications such as writing a word document or listening to music. AMD calls this technology 'cool & quiet'. The CPU will run at full speed and 100% only when using processor demanding applications such as video encoding or when playing video games.
    You can further reduce the temperature by undervolting you're CPU. AMD CPUs usually undervolts very well.

    Check the undervolting guide.
     
    naton, Jun 18, 2011
    #3