P170EM need suggestions for high CPU temps

I'm getting extremely high temps while gaming, with hwmonitor saying core 1 and 2 are maxing at 97-99C, package 99C, while my GPU is staying average 75 but jumping as high as 83. I'm not really worried about the GPU, but I feel like I shouldn't have such bad temps on the CPU. I have tried repasting and it doesn't seem to make a huge difference using arctic silver MX4, is there something else I should try? I've seen people suggesting using foil tape to ensure the cooler blows cool air to the copper fins, and also some suggesting using washers to put more pressure on the heatsink. Are these safe/suggested mods people would recommend?

Also, even while Idling (overnight/whenever screen turns off) my cpu has maxed at ~90C even though when i'm using it under a light load it stays at an average of 60-70. Why would the CPU be spiking so high and is this something others have experienced?

Thanks!

 

I can't recall whether MX4 requires a curing time or not, but Gelid GC Extreme or IC Diamond are better compounds. You could go with something a little more efficient, like Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra, but the liquid metal compounds are electrically conductive, so you need to exercise more caution with those.

Are your fans and heat sinks clean? CPU fan is revving appropriately?

 

MX-4 doesn't require curing but it punps out quite easily usually IMO.. Gelid and IC Diamond are better options!

 

yes fans are running fine and they're clean. I'll try IC diamond then, I looked before and I was told there's not much difference between IC diamond and MX-4 but I'll give it a try. Thanks!

 

How long have you been using the heatsink for?

Which CPU do you have specifically?

Is the heatsink free of dust? Any degredation etc?

High max CPU temp overnight could have been a program you left open etc.

Did you check the paste after you removed the heatsink to see if it is making proper contact?

 

I7-3740QM

yes free of dust as far as i can tell. what would degredation look like?

I've made sure no programs that require much power had been left open so it definitely wasnt that.

the heatsink (assuming you mean the copper&pipe) is as old as the laptop, so around 3 years now.

 

Did you remove the fan and check between where the fan sits and heatsink?

 

Yes I've made sure it is 100% clean.

 

Okay, sounds good. MX-4 is a decent compound, really, but the others are a little more efficient. If you continue to have issues, take a picture of the paste application for us and upload it here; too much or too little can negatively impact thermal conductivity. You may also want to inspect the heat pipes!

 

What would I notice that would be wrong with the heat pipes?

 

I was getting temps like that in my p170em with 3720 until I realized there was large piece of lint covering the exhaust. Temps were back to normal after that. CPU fan was also making some noise, bearing going bad, so replaced that and temps went down a couple degrees. Sounds like these aren't issues for you though. Maybe the fan isn't ramping up to high enough speed. Do you have Prema bios so you can do FN+9 to make them go full speed? The heat pipes are more fragile than they seem. If they are bent, they can crack easily, or even just being bent can cause issues.

 

You would also want to make sure that the heatsink is flat and not bent, and has solid contact around to the CPU/GPU (like one side isn't sticking up in a corner compared to the others).

 

How did you replace the fan's bearing? or did you just buy a new fan, if so then where? I know it isn't dust/lint as i've already cleaned it, and I have prema's bios, but FN+1 makes my fans go full speed. Putting them on full speed does drop temps slightly but not by much so maybe replacing the fan would be helpful

 

The exact method to fix a fan depends on the type and make, for a ball bearing fan you will take the top of the fan off (the part with the blades) and look for a worn ball or replace them all.

 

I replaced the whole unit from an Amazon reseller. This one exactly: http://www.amazon.com/LRHKF-Laptop-P150HM-P170HM-P170EM/dp/B018ICRSJ2

Don't pay attention to the long shipping time. I believe mine was delivered in 1-2 weeks.

Weird that your full speed is FN+1. Mine has always been with the 9 button, and I thought all Prema releases used the same key combination. Maybe just try it to be sure.

 

Different versions have had different buttons but FN + 1 is the standard these days.

 

Any physical damage, especially things like small gashes. This can affect the conductivity. (Sorry for the late reply.)