Question about heat and a faulty temperature sensor

I got my new NP8662 just about three days ago, and after going through my personal checklist of performance optimizing configurations and anti virus software installations she was ready to start gaming on. Everything seemed fine, and I had read up extensively on reports on these boards that HDD temperature has been a serious problem for some. I installed Far Cry 2 two days ago and have been happily playing along with all settings on high for the intervening time.

During these past two days I noticed that the right palm rest was fairly warm, however, I thought nothing of the heat because I have been experiencing zero lag during even the most intense firefights.

Tonight I decided to check my temps after a one and half hour Far Cry 2 session and I was surprised to see my HDD temp at 64 degrees C. After some more Far Cry runs my temps routinely hit the 60s but never exceeded 64 degrees. All my other temps seem well within normal limits when playing, CPUs never going over 35 degrees, GPU never exceeding 43 degrees. Hardware Monitor also picks something else up called "ACPI" but I have no idea what that is so if someone knows, I would appreciate being let in on the secret.

Given that all my other temps are so low, is it possible that my HD could have a faulty temperature sensor? If its not are temps like this normal for a Seagate 320GB 7200RPM HD under heavy load?

With normal office tasks, the HD temps seem fine, with several folders open, Google Talk and Firefox open with 4 tabs, HD temps are 55 degrees.

Bottom line, should I be unduly worried?

 

when gaming for long periods of time, it's not uncommon to hit around 60, yours are within threshold and probably on the hotter side since it is the 320 GB.
check this guide out to gauge your temps:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=263039

 

This is the ACPI. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showpost.php?p=5041328&postcount=65

Your HDD does not have a faulty temperature sensor. Yes, you should be worried if you're getting 64*C. Call the fire department.

Are you using your notebook on a flat desk or a cooler? Have you updated your chipset drivers and installed the Intel Matrix Storage driver?

 

Those temps are without a cooler and the computer elevated by placing three 2 inch thick paperback books two on each corner and one in the front under the microphone port. I have installed the latest Intel Matrix Storage Driver but not the latest chipset drivers. Where could I find those?

 

Pick your flavor. The file is called "INF Update Utility - Primarily for Intel® 4, 3, 900 Series Chipsets." Click on "additional downloads" on the sidebar if you don't see it.

The chipset driver should be installed first before the storage driver. I'm sure you know what to do from here.

 

My temp was hitting that temp, i got really worried too. Xotic says that 60 is still a reasonable temp for hdd. I actually found out why my temp was going so high, I had elevated my laptop by putting some spaces, 1 full postit in the front 2 in the back, the 2x1.5" ones. This was supposed to keep the laptop cooler, but for some reason, had raised the temp.

From 55 idle ->63 after gameplay, to 52 idle ->55 after gameplay. Hopefully it'll go even cooler with the nz2k

 

Apparently my laptop shipped with a newer version of the INF Update Utility, 9.1.0.1012. The INF Update Utility that I downloaded from Intel was 9.0.0.1008. Should I overwrite the newer one on my laptop currently for the older one?

Ya, I am going to run some additional tests with the comp elevated and not elevated. If the problems persist, I will call up Sager tomorrow and see if they can shed any light on the situation.

EDIT: I think some of the problem here might also have to do with the ambient temperature of the room in which I'm playing (about 24 degrees celsius). I opened a window came back about 30 minutes later and played for another hour and after that run, the HDD temperature was 57 degrees.