High CPU temperatures, thermal paste advice [Clevo P151EM]

Thanks in advance for your time. I should've searched for a similar thread, but since I'm going to ask a couple of questions, I chose to create a whole new thread.

CPU: intel i7 3610QM
GPU: Nvidia GTX 660M

When I bought this computer back in May of this year, it ran relatively cool: the GPU didn't break the 75-78 ºC and the CPU did never reach more than 70 ºC. However, I've been noticing a noticeable increase on the CPU side. The GPU still records the same temps as ever.

When I was playing Dragon Age Origins, I noticed that all the 4 cores of the CPU were hitting the 90 ºC mark, while the GPU was steady at 70. I don't believe these temps are normal. Even now as I'm typing this text the CPU is at 55 ºC without any major activity.

I would like some feedback on a possible repasting of the CPU. I did a bit of a search and noticed that there are metal based pastes and carbon based pastes i.e diamond dust greases such as the IC diamond I believe.

My question is: would IC diamond offer that big of a performance gap from a metal based paste such as the Artic cooling MX4?

Also, does anyone know of a guide on how to paste the CPU? I would figure it out eventually, but I would really appreciate if someone already knew of one.

I would like to avoid the use of a cooler, since I bought a clevo in order to avoid that need altogether. I would only buy it on a last resort.

 

I would suggest you first open up the bottom of the computer and clean out the fans/vents from any dust that may have built up. While May wasnt that long ago its good to clean them out every 6 months or so. Any built up dust will inhibit airflow.
If that doesnt help then look into repasting. We use and recommend IC Diamond here is Application instructions.
Some games are more CPU demanding then others, it could be Dragon Age is just asking more out of the CPU which is resulting in higher temps.

 

I would also recommend a good cleaning as a first resort; I received my laptop in early August and it already had some dust clumps in and around the fans when I cleaned it this past weekend.

 

What I tend to do is use a shop vac to get everything I can out of those heatsinks every 2 months or so. I don't trust the power of those spray cans.

 

A shop vac or any vacuum cleaner isn't recommended as they can generate some static electricity which can damage components.

 

The air cans do a good enough job.

 

Air Cans are good, but blow it into the exhaust so you can "disrupt" the dust then you can blow it through the intake and a lot should come out.

Isopropyl alcohol 90%+ is what I usually use to clean my Heatsink and CPU surfaces with a lint free cloth.