Eluktronics N850HK1 Overheating

I have a new Eluktronics N850HK1 laptop. Unfortunately it is overheating, mainly the CPU. The CPU runs around 60°C at idle and over 90°C when working. I suspect the thermal paste job. Eluktronics has told me to return the computer, but circumstances make that difficult for me to do so I need to take care of this on my own.
I plan to take it apart and redo the thermal paste on the CPU and may has well do the GPU while I'm in there. I know there's a long thread here on thermal paste, but I am open to suggestions. Any advice or insights into this problem would also be appreciated.

 

After using TG Conductonaut, I lowered the temperature in my N870HK1 by 5-7 degrees with heavy loads. There are a lot of instructions on how to do it right. But in any case, cooling system certainly works at the limit of its capabilities. Using XTU or TS for CPU undervolting.

 

how many heat pipes?

 

I don't know. I haven't taken it apart yet.

 

there are many versions of that model
first version n850hk1


second version of n850hk1


third version of n850hk1

 

However many pipes it has, the CPU is running way too hot. Due to what I've read about Clevo computers, repasting the CPU seems like a common solution to overheating. Most Clevo resellers offer a better repasting job as an option at additional cost, that should have been a warning about quality control.
I have to do something to get these temps in acceptable range as soon as I can.

 

you should make some test before repasting

aida64 extreme stability test for 30 minutes and firestrike 3dmark, unigine superposition/heaven

 

The CPU temps are over 90C running Adobe Media Encoder making 1080p YouTube videos. Those benchmarking programs might set it on fire.

 

The stock thermal paste job on the CPU was not very good, all the paste was squeezed off to one side. I cleaned everything and repasted the GPU and the CPU with Arctic MX-4. The CPU temperature at idle dropped from 60°C to 50°C, but the temperature at full load was still 95-98°C. The CPU cooler has two heat pipes, but it seems pretty apparent that the cooling to run the CPU under load is not nearly adequate to handle CPU heavy tasks like rendering video.

I have a laptop cooler that I hope will knock the temps down a few degrees but is there anything else I can do to try and keep the CPU at a reasonable temperature? Save for the inadequate CPU cooling, this is a nice computer.

 

ronbo613, Use liquid metal. This will help to win a few more degrees. Check if the heatsink is well pressed to processor chip. I think that in our situation only two options will help - replacement of radiators with copper ones, or addition of additional ones. I'm working on the second option)

 

The CPU heatsink does not look all that well engineered. The metal where the screws attach to hold the heatsink against the processor are weak and bend easily, not much pressure is being applied. There has got to be a better solution. I am going to try and come up with some improvements.

I don't want to use metal thermal material because this laptop gets moved around quite a bit. I'm afraid it will leak out. The laptop cooler is my best option right now.

 

Order a copper shim off eBay and use that between the IHS and HeatSink. It sounds like the usual crappy Clevo heatsink not making enough pressure.

 

I agree that the heat sink on the CPU does not have enough pressure on the chip. The four metal arms holding it to the motherboard are weak and will fatigue as soon as the screws are tightened. No wonder metal thermal compound leaks out of this setup.
I have a good deal of experience working with heat sinks on aircraft components, I'm going to try and figure something out. Aside from the crap CPU cooler, this is a nice laptop, but with the temps it's running at, it's not going to last long.

 

Hi, Ronbo613, I also purchased an Eluktronics N850HK1 after reading through many threads and a few half decent reviews online. The reviews didn’t really mention anything much into what to expect on cooling but I went on and took the risk.

Now I feel we’re on the same boat. Mine hasn’t started acting up yet but I see it going there esp now that’s it’s idling at 70 (two heat pipes) degrees with Adobe Media Encoder. I’m also looking forward to pasting the CPU and GPU too.

For now, I would suggest you lay off the heavy programs until you find a permanent solution. Sorry if this doesn’t help much…my two cents!

 

Hi

Have you found a solution yet on how to increase the pressure?
I own the same setup with 2 heatpipes on CPU.

 

You will expect the metal to bend and apply pressure.

 

Repasting the CPU will help reduce overall temps but will not prevent the computer from overheating under maximum load. The only way to do that is to go into the Processor Management settings and dial the CPU down to 98%.

This is a nice computer. My only real complaint is that you are only getting 98% of what you paid for. Having Eluktronics cancel the warranty because I repasted the CPU and GPU is piss poor customer service. Having them suggest that the overheating problem is caused by me "tinkering" with the computer is another cheap shot and ensures I will never buy anything from them again.

 

The only relatively simple solution I can see is to use a copper shim, but just don't think the cooling system as it is can keep the CPU within reasonable temps. Too bad, this would be a good computer if it performed as advertised.