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.

    Blackhawk XR-5, SLI 8800m GTX's GPU @ 90C + overheating???

    Discussion in 'Sager and Clevo' started by SethDrone, Jun 13, 2008.

  1. SethDrone

    SethDrone Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    So I got my Blackhawk yesterday and installed the 175.80 drivers for my SLI 8800m GTX cards. I know this thing is going to get hot but all the posts I've seen thus far say that anything over 90C for the GPUs is going to cause problems.

    Minimal use and setup the whole system was running pretty cool. After getting Age of Conan installed and running for an hour or two the whole top-left section was HOT. I hopped out of the game and installed RivaTuner 2.09 and setup the GPU monitor. During AOC and 3dmark Vantage tests the GPU heat was going from 88C-91C. The system is brand new so there are no dust issues, and I even had the laptop sitting on a cooling pad.

    Do the 175.80 drivers naturally run hot or am I possibly having some other problem? I went ahead and ordered two of those Evercool Magic Fans to attach to the back and help suck the hot air out but I wanted to make sure I didn't need to make some other system adjustments.

    Thanks for any insights on this.


    Specs:

    Quad-Core 2.66Ghz
    4GB Ram
    SLI 8800m GTX
     
  2. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    With a cooling pad and a new system, you should not have to see over 80-85C at all.
    The 175.x drivers do run hotter yes,but you have a new system.

    Try gaming using FN+1 for full fan blast, and see if it works.
    Your fans may have a bit of an issue there.
    Also,I'd wait until more people post their temps, but I am sure 90C should never be seen on this laptop.
     
  3. The_Observer

    The_Observer 9262 is the best:)

    Reputations:
    385
    Messages:
    2,662
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    Did you put the fans at full blast when gaming?
     
  4. GanGstaOne

    GanGstaOne Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    182
    Messages:
    501
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    When you play game or do some intensive work hit FN+1 to set the FANS at MAX SPEED this option is for this and if you want to keep it very cool get a external cooling system
     
  5. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    Have you guys read what he said?
    NEW SYSTEM+COOLING PAD and it's running hot.
     
  6. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    15,707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    456
    Those evercools are not that useful if the vents on the bottom are being blocked from air intake.

    I hope there is nothing block the bottom of the notebook.

    It should only be used on hard, clean, flat surfaces..... NO couch, bed, lap, etc.

    If it is already on a hard, flat surface.... then I would look at the heatsinks/fans in the notebook to make sure they are secured.
     
  7. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    Since it's a brand new system, I sugest not tampering with it.
    Call PCMW right away.
     
  8. bigjohnsonforever

    bigjohnsonforever Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    80
    Messages:
    365
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    0
    Yeah... 90C is pretty F'N hot; that is 194 Fahrenheit!! You could flip it over, open the back, and cook eggs on the GPUs.
     
  9. Doodles

    Doodles Starving Student

    Reputations:
    178
    Messages:
    880
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    maybe try stock drivers again... u should use the CD they gave you to reinstall the 98.08 drivers... just to see if theres a problem. but drivers shouldnt rele be doing that anyway. just a thought. call PCMW. they'll prolly just send you the new cards to swap out yourself, they're good with that kinda stuff.
     
  10. eleron911

    eleron911 HighSpeedFreak

    Reputations:
    3,886
    Messages:
    11,104
    Likes Received:
    7
    Trophy Points:
    456
    No drivers can raise the temps upto 90 from a system that usuall stays around 70C.
    Hardware issue all the way.
     
  11. Gophn

    Gophn NBR Resident Assistant

    Reputations:
    4,843
    Messages:
    15,707
    Likes Received:
    3
    Trophy Points:
    456
    I agree... doubtful its software.

    Gotta be fans not working (test with Fn+1) or heatsink/pipes not properly secured.
     
  12. Doodles

    Doodles Starving Student

    Reputations:
    178
    Messages:
    880
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    yea... its prolly the heatsink... myabe they forgot to put the paste down...
     
  13. Relowe

    Relowe Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    68
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I AGREE!

    But yea, the fans on the system are very powerful by themselves. I originally purchased the laptop with the intention of using it IN MY LAP. Then I found out that the fans get covered too easily and it ran the GPUs up to around 65 or so while idle with fans on full. Then I noticed that if I just held the laptop in the air for a minute or so the temps would drop WAY DOWN.

    So I bought the XPad.
    http://www.pcfastlane.com/reviews/xpad-laptop-cooler-heatshield/

    But if the fans are going up to 95+ without you doing anything wrong there is definitely something wrong. Don't expect a suggestion of what to do from me. We all know that I don't know what I'm doing. ;-)
     
  14. Shyster1

    Shyster1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

    Reputations:
    6,926
    Messages:
    8,178
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    205
    Reminds me of another poster many months back who had GPU overheating problems and discovered that when the system was assembled, someone forgot to take a piece of plastic covering/wrapping material off from between the GPU and it's heatsink - that sounds a little like what you're experiencing (wish I could find the old post :( ). Anyway, unless you're feeling very adventurous about dismantling the system, I'd RMA it asap.
     
  15. SethDrone

    SethDrone Notebook Enthusiast

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    23
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    looks like it was a problem with the underside intake vents. I had it on both a cooling pad and a "lap desk" which is flat with a low cut venting section in the middle but it wasnt enough for all four of the fans underneath.

    To test it, I setup a bridge type deal a box under the very front and a box under the very back leaving the whole bottom and fan intake section completely clear. Ran 3dMark Vantage and it maxed out at about 66C where it was going to 91C last night.

    Hooked it up to my dell 24" and its now residing on the floor/boxes, this thing really isn't meant for the lap :). Will have to test it on a desk later and see how that does, it is a sweet laptop though. I Appreciate all the help and quick responses guys.
     
  16. Relowe

    Relowe Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    68
    Messages:
    160
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Welcome to notebook review, the home of the world's greatest people ever. :)