M570etu too hot?

My config is QX9300, 280m (not overclocked), and I started to notice a fps drop in a game, so I started to record temps. gpu stays around 90, but peaked at 99 (where is probably throttled). This is just on a desk, no cooler or anything, the notebook is about 8 months old. I'm using windows 7 with the "balanced option." If it is too hot, is there fan settings I can tinker with or should I look into a cooler or something? The cpu only peaks at 70, average is 65.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5765122&postcount=2

 

Yes that is way too hot. When did this problem start happening? Perhaps the fans aren't running as they should, the thermal paste was improperly applied, your heatsinks are clogged, or you just got a straight up bad card. This may very well be a warranty issue. There is no reason it should be running that hot!

 

if you havnt already done so you need to clean the fans out with compressed air. take base plate off and check for clumps of dust.

download HW Monitor from HERE and post a screen shot to give us an idea of all your temps.

not sure if the balanced option will slow the fans up so it doesnt cool enough. try running it in high performance and also take a screen shot of the temps.

 

Here's after cleaning, from boot and an hour of gaming:



Its on flat desk, no cooler, no overclocking. Seem too hot? I installed the cpu myself but have never touched or removed the gpu. Bought last summer.

 

Here are temperatures for specific components when they enter the danger zone.:

CPU danger temperature is around 75-85C (check the CPU's specifications)
GPU danger temperature is around 90-95C
HDD danger temperature is around 60-65C

Threshold temperatures are also pretty standard once again due to the reasons specified under the danger zone temperatures. These temperatures are the most dangerous to a system, in which permanent hardware damage can be incurred if the user does not remedy the heat issue during which time the user is experiencing temperatures within the danger zone. Systems that have a component that reaches threshold temperatures will usually crash or shutdown when the temperature peaks.

CPU threshold temperature is around 90-100C (and above)
GPU threshold temperature is around 100-105C (and above)
HDD threshold temperature is varied, but above 65C is bad

above taken from Gophn's great thread HERE

 

Your thermal paste is due for an update. It wouldn't hurt to know your ambient temp as well. I had the same rig, and even overclocked my 280M would usually never pass 85C during more intense games like GTA4/Crysis. Somewhere around 630/1575/1000, overvolted. One time I did hit 95C+ at those clocks in GTA4, but I was at my brother's in the sun room with no AC ventilation, during summer in Florida! It was probably 80-85F...

 

Hmm, I installed the cpu with the thermal paste it came with (some generic paste), but the gpu was pre-installed and I've never touched it, it looks like it has some thermal tape. Idle the Cpu is at 39-41, gpu 46-50. Do you think replacing whatever the gpu has now with thermal paste would reduce temp significantly? If so what paste do you recommend? Thx.

 

OCZ freeze is better than AS5 and quite cheap, about $5. Works for me.

It could be significant. My idle was just over 40C for example. Your CPU is fine. Switching the paste on the GPU is a little more involving than with the CPU, but it's easy.

By the way, you can OC the QX9300 in the BIOS by 2x multiplier. It wouldn't hurt to try!

 

Ok thanks I'll try OCZ on the gpu when I have a chance. Usually I have the CPU overclocked to 2.93 (2x) but put it down to record the temps, it only gets a couple of degrees hotter at 2x.

 

Your GPU probably has thermal pads covering the RAM and thermal paste covering the die. The thermal pads should be reusable so it might just need a fresh layer of thermal paste only. If you completely remove the thermal pads, then you will need to replace them with something of the same thickness.

EDIT: I recommend Arctic MX3 paste for both CPU/ GPU but I have never tried OCZ Freeze so no idea about that one. Apparently OCZ Freeze offers a 10% increased effectiveness over the main competition.