New BIOS - F.3D lowers cpu temps!!!

I downloaded and installed the new BIOS F.3D
I noticed one difference. My cpu core temps use to be between 48-52C and since the BIOS change, now are between 38-42C. A 10C difference. I had thought it was because I installed a new chill-mat, but I disconnected the chill-mat, ran several programs at once and the temps still remained cool. I don't know how the BIOS affected the temps but did recall something about it affecting the battery and fan?

I call this a NICE improvement!

Anybody else experience this?

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=198751

Yes, my CPU temps fell as well after the BIOS update.

 

dude! that is a crazy reduction in temps!

 

How many of you notice a decrease in heat when you updated the BIOS to F.3D?

Any other improvments by installing the update? I didn't notice any...

 

jack53 - I have a similar computer configuration and did not notice any real improvement. Maybe a 2-3 degrees cooler at idle but pretty much the same as before once the processors are under load.

I think this is a situation where some configurations will really benefit while others don't. Too bad for us but I am glad it helps others.

 

Ok, I just had an odd thing happen that might help you too. I am going to post this again in another thread so that people can find it more easily but here is the same text:

F.3 D BIOS Update – Manual Install vs. HP Care = Difference!

A word of advice in regard to the latest F.3 D BIOS update. I originally did the update by downloading it from the HP site and manually installing the update. After the BIOS was flashed, it rebooted and showed F.3 D as the BIOS version. Multiple times over the last week, I have had occasion to see places where my computer displayed that it was using F.3 D as the BIOS (important information when you read the rest of this post). I did not see any real difference in temperatures for the CPU though.

By chance tonight, for another reason I needed to run the HP Total Care program found on our laptops (I had previously disabled auto start for this). In the background it automatically looked for updates and started downloading/installing them. I really did not want it to do this because it looked like it was downloading three updates that I had already installed manually. Since the BIOS was updating, I decided I better just let it run versus stopping it in the middle. I am glad that I did.

Oddly, during the BIOS flash process a window popped up that said it found I was running F.3 B and asked if I agreed to update to F.3 D. That was odd because, as I said before, when I went in and manually checked the BIOS over the last week it had displayed F.3 D.

Anyway, after the reboot the fan started on high and then quickly throttle down to low. The fan so far has constantly been running on low. Temperatures while the PC is basically idling have dropped from around 50 at idle to the mid 30’s. Under moderate load they now go up to the mid 40’s. Very heavy load gives me upper 40’s to 51. Before, moderate to heavy loads produced a constant cycle going up to 60+ and then the fan kicked in on high until it was back to 50ish (at which point the fan usually cycled off).

I am not sure why the first flash of the BIOS to F.3 D did not cause this same behavior but if you are still experiencing high temps and you manually updated your PC, try doing the update via the HP Care program on your computer. I would try multiple flashes to the BIOS if you still continue to get temps at idle in the 50’s.

The constant low fan is not something that thrills me but I probably won’t notice it after I get used to it. Heat is the number one enemy of a PC and I have always thought my laptop was running too hot, so I will take this tradeoff. If you read the multiple threads on the various forums in regard to failing HP motherboards and WiFi cards that are supposedly due to heat, this change in fan behavior has to be a good preventative measure. I just hope it doesn’t drastically lower the already rather limited amount of time the PC will run off the battery. I say this because when I have unplugged my PC, the fan behavior has not changed and it still constantly runs on low speed (but admittedly I have only been testing for about an hour).

I hope this information can help someone else!

 

Good tips! I don't know why people don't want or like the fan running. I LIKE anything that keeps the cpu cooler. HEAT is what wears out the notebooks cpu/gpu/motherboard more than anything else. People say they don't like the noise... but in the hot summer, they don't mind running the noisy fans/air conditioning do they! Or would you shut off the engine fan in your automobile?

 

I got a BIOS update and I can tell the heat has gone down. I am glad the BIOS has not caused any problems like other people have reported.

 

I like this setup of the fan running on low all the time.

Constantly running on low vs. the annoying & loud at times high speed throttle of the fan is better all around for the fan (won't die as early due to many start/stops) & the CPU since it won't cycle from hot to cool all the time.

Running the fan on low will assure that the CPU never gets too hot & possibly fails early by maintaining a constant temperature.

Liken it to your cars engine with the thermostat keeping the engine's temp constant vs not having a T-stat & on cold days the engine never overheats, but on hot days it'll over heat.

 

I just installed the F.3D update & my core temps before with F.27 were considerably higher that yours.

I have no chill mat & both cores in my TL-60 averaged 63 ^C.

Right now both cores are averaging 60 ^C with core 1 running 1 to 2 ^C less.

Not a HUGE drop by any means, but lower is better!


And I love my quieter constant lower fan operation!

 

Hotter is an understatement!!! 63C is HOT! I wonder why? Faster cpu maybe?
At this moment, core #1 is 34C and core #2 is 18C with three browsers running.
Core2 is always quite a bit cooler... anybody know why?

 

Your telling me it's hot!
It could possibly be runner hotter since it's a 2 GHZ CPU & generally faster CPU's tend to run a tad warmer than "slower" CPU's.

I may have spoke too soon about only a 3 ^C lower temp.
The CPU may not have enough time to cool down after the new BIOS update.

I've been home about an hour now.

Before the BIOS update I took a screen shot:


And a few minutes ago I took another screen shot with the current temps:

Note that it's ALLOT cooler than before!

And of course, the fan is also ALLOT quieter than before since it's running slower, but constant.

So I'm happy.

Now to get to the bottom of my boot issue...

 

I'm guessing this BIOS is not applicable to the Intel machines?

 

You guessed right... this was for HP/compaq only.

 

I hope you mean, for AMD-equipped HP/Compaq machines....

My dv6565 runs relatively cooler than my previous laptops largely because of its integrated graphics chipset. But the fan still spins pretty loud from time to time..

EDIT- Just checked myself... and confirmed. Anyway, I hope something comes out for the Intel machines.

 

That BIOS release also greatly decreased my temps. Cpu used to idle between 46-53C(at 53 the fan kicked in), and the GPU used to idle between 68-72C.
Now my CPU idles around 29-32C, and GPU around 48-51C. So, it has made a huge difference in my case.

I think what that BIOS release did is that it now keeps the fan on all the time, but at low RPMs. What makes me say that is that my laptop used to be dead quiet......until the temps got too high and the fan kicked in(real loud for about 5 seconds). Now i hear a low fan noise all the time.

 

Hi,
I have purchased dv6500z with TL-60 processor. My BIOS verion/date are HP F.25/11/29/2007. Do i need to upgrade my BIOS to F3.D. I ran hp total care programme. But it is not showing me any updates. Any suggestions?

 

That seems close to the F.3D I have, but yours is a newer date. Mine was 11-22-07. If yours is not having problems, I wouldn't update. Go to the HP site to check for current updates under your model.

How hot is your TL-60 running? Mine was running 45-55C before the BIOS update and 35-45C after the update. But the wireless quit working a week later.

 

Well, I must add this... after a week of the BIOS change and the notebook running a LOT cooler, the wireless quit and my notebook is now at the HP center being repaired. I don't know if that BIOS change had anything to do with that, but thought I should report it here.

 

Hi,
I have observed following temps using hwmonitor tool.

 

Hi,
I have observed following temps using hwmonitor tool. I have recorded them after using the laptop for couple of hours watching movie online and browsing internet.

value max
core#0 65C 69C
core#1 64C 68C
gpu 65C 65C
HDD 43C 43C

cpu temps are cycling between 57c to 70c. These temps looks abnormal to me compared to what reported here. Can you please advise?

 

I have observed following temps today, after using the laptop for 1hr or so for normal browising.

value max
core#0 53C 61C
core#1 50C 60C
gpu 61C 63C
HDD 44C 44C

 

Hi Jack,
Temps are cycling between 53C TO 64c when i measured using core temp. Do you think i have to give it a try upgrading to F3.D.

 

Can't hurt. Mine dropped 10C when I did the BIOS update.

 

Hi Jack,
Temps are rising to 70C while burning a dvd for avi file. I will try installing bios update. Do i need to contact HP support for that? Thanks for your information.

 

No, no need to contact HP. Just go to HP website, click support & drivers, find the BIOS and enter your product name/number

 

Hi Jack,
I am not able to see F3.D Bios version with my model name dv6500z. This is available when i enter model dv6000z. Do you think, my system already includes these changes? Do i need to still upgrade the Bios.

 

I found your BIOS HERE
Scroll down 3/4 of the page. Lots of software & drivers for your model there.

 

Sorry for bothering you again. I have verified that page. I do not see F3.D bios version. Current version is F25. Following are the previos version:-
F.25 Current

12-2007 3.09M

» F.22

11-2007 3.09M

» F.09

10-2007 3.09M

» F.08

10-2007 3.09M

» F.07

09-2007 3.08M

» F.06

07-2007 3.1M

I am able to see F3.D bios version with the model dv6000z.
Just curios, are these updates are piont fixes? I mean, the latest version suppose to have all the previous fixes right?

 

Different models have different BIOS updates... what is your current date & BIOS for your model. F25 appears to be the latest for your model. If yours is not F25, then I update it.

 

Hi Jack,
I have F27 bios version. This is the latest bios available for my model in hp website. My temps are hovering between 50C to 62C in normal working conditions. But when playing/buring dvd's, temps went to 70C. When i tried to keep the laptop elevated from back site, temps went down by 3-4C.
Do you think these temps are normal. I also noticed that, when i am on battery, temps are low. They are around 45c.

 

Looks like i made a mistake by going with dv6500z instead of intel version.

 

Boy, I have no idea why the temps are lower running on battery?
I've heard that those temps are okay... even though, personally I think they're too high. But... let's some experts come in and have their say.

Gotta go... just got my notebook back from HP via FedEX. I've got to run it through a battery of test to see if everything is okay. They replaced the motherboard.
I am NOT happy as I didn't have any scratches on my case and there are several on there now.
Who in the H*LL does HP hire to work on their stuff???

 

Hello, I have the dv2000z. The latest BIOS is F.39 from 11/2007. Do you think I could try F.3A safely (even though it seems to be for dv6000z's)

 

No. Stick with F.39.

 

Hi Brian,
I have dv6500z with F.25 bios version. This is the latest bios version i can see for my model in HP website. My temps are hovering between 50C+ to 65C. When i play/burn dvd's, they are rising upto 70C. Do you think, these are normal for this computer. Following are the specs:-
# AMD Turion(TM) 64 X2 Dual-Core Mobile Technology TL-60 (2.0 GHz, 512KB+512KB L2 Cache )
# 15.4" WXGA High-Definition HP BrightView Widescreen Display (1280 x 800)
# 75% OFF Upgrade to 2GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)!!
# 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M GS
# HP Imprint Finish (Radiance) + Fingerprint Reader + Webcam + Microphone
# 802.11b/g WLAN
# 160GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive
# LightScribe SuperMulti 8X DVD+/-RW with Double Layer Support

 

That seems high... though the 8400M GS adds quite a bit of heat to the system. The notebook should be able to handle it. Can anyone with a similar configuration comment?

 

i think its the AMD processor that heats up quick. I have the intel c2d and 8400gs and it only hits 60c at most when i do medium/heavy stuff (not gaming)

 

I have a 65nm TL-60. When i keep the laptop back elevated using a book or some pad, the temps are going down by at least 5C. I guess, i need to get laptop map or stand something like that.

 

I have the Compaq V6305NR and it shows it has installed the F.28 BIOS. Do I need to update this BIOS version or should I stick with the F.28 version?

Thanks

 

Well, yeah. The F3D BIOS update basically sets the fan to run all the time so as to avoid the overheating issues people were having with these systems. HP issued a repair recall(for systems with the symptoms) and issued this update to the BIOS. Your system might not necessarily fail but there is always that chance.

Anyways, if you do decide to update the BIOS, make sure you have disconnected any external devices or any security software before installing the BIOS. Any problems will render the system dead and the BIOS will need to be re flashed in order to bring it back to full functionality.

 

Hi Miner

I haven't had any overheating issue with my Compaq (knock on wood)... but I have realized the fan kicks on and off like every minute, and I think thats because the old BIOS

Im not a computer savvy but I know two or three things about pcs... but this is kind of embarrasing for me, but, do you know where is an "Update your BIOS" guide just not to screw my laptop up.

Thanks

 

I didn't intend to alarm you about BIOS upgrades but my intention was just to caution you about the risks, but 99% of the times doing a BIOS upgrade on HP systems is just like installing any new software...just download the file from Hp.com and run it. The reasons why disconnecting external devices(USB devices/HDD etc) and security software(like firewall/anti-spyware) is recommended was just to avoid any potential conflicts. As long as your system is running stable, upgrading the BIOS is pretty normal procedure. I have done it more times than I can count/remember on my system and never had any issues.

 

Thanks Miner!

I'll download and update my system BIOS tomorrow, I'll let you know here

 

I have an HP dv9410us (GA355UA) laptop (Vista) and recently updated the BIOS to F.3D. Since that time, the wired LAN connection is not restored upon wakeup from sleep/hibernate mode. Attempting to disable and enable the device has no effect. Only an entire shutdown/reboot cycle clears the issue. Attempting to obtain the earlier F.39 or F.3A BIOS from the web or through HP Support 'chat' has been impossible.

Has anyone else observed this wired LAN issue?

 

Thats the thing why i haven't downloaded and installed the BIOS yet...

I've heard of that issue... I think there's a reference in this very same post.

 

I saw mention of the wireless LAN failures earlier, but I believe those are due to the motherboard and WLAN components overheating. I read the entire thread before registering and posting. Perhaps I missed it.

 

Are you going to install the new BIOS?

I'll be good to know your experience with the instalation.

 

Earlier BIOS versions have been removed from HP/Compaq FTP download servers, but here's the SoftPaq information for anyone looking for older or archived versions:

F.38 ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp36001-36500/sp36393.exe
F.39 ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp38001-38500/sp38062.exe
F.3A ftp://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp36501-37000/sp36551.exe

 

I installed the new F.3D BIOS several days ago, and that's when my wired LAN problems started.