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    A135- Xpress 200 3D Vid problems

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by slappin, Mar 14, 2007.

  1. slappin

    slappin Notebook Enthusiast

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    System A135-S2246:
    CPU: T2500 Core Duo 2.0GHz
    RAM: 2GB
    IGP: Xpress 200

    I am posting this as an FYI to other Toshiba Xpress 200 owners.

    Toshiba did not properly cool the Xpress 200 IGP for 3D gamming. Also I question their sanity in placing it right next to the ram.

    My tests and findings:
    Playing World of Warcraft
    CPU runs 50% 60C constant (Intel shutdown 100C)
    Ram usage 40%
    GPU performance @1280x800 shaders off ~20-30FPS
    System restarts after ~30min of game play

    Running SuperPI (CPU test) “No failure”
    max calculation ~35min
    CPU runs 70-80% 55C constant
    Ram usage 30%

    Running SuperPi & other CPU Performance software simultaneously “No Failure”
    run time ~35min
    CPU runs 90%-100% 60C constant
    Ram usage 35%

    Running ATITOOL just the 3D graphic
    Run time ~10min
    CPU run 10% 50C constant
    Ram usage 30%
    Bottom of laptop heating up veryfast.

    Summary:
    During 3D gaming the entire bottom of the laptop gets extremely hot. During CPU endurance testing the only warm spot is directly under the CPU. I logged the CPU temperatures during gaming restart and found they were 60C constant prior to restart.

    Conclusion:
    IGP is getting hot and inductively heating the ram right next to it. The ram overheats and cause memory faults causing windows to reboot. (I removed the ram after a restart and the chips were extremely hot to touch.)

    Solution:
    A) Don’t 3D game on this laptop (like that’s going to happen)
    B) Thermally connect the IGP heatsink to the CPU heat pipe to cool the IGP. (may cause the CPU to over heat or may not displace enough heat.)
    C) Purchase a laptop cooling pad that blows air on the bottom of the laptop (probably still would need to vent the plastic case under the IGP to cool the GPU.)
    D) Purchase an 8mm – 10mm thick cpu fan and heatsink, then cut the plastic in the case to vent.

    Solutions B & D void the warranty. And solution C may if venting is required. I am going to do solution “D” but first I need disassembly the laptop again and verify a 45mm x 8mm or 50mm x 10mm will fit in the case. If you are trying to game on this chipset and experience restarts you may want go with solution “C” prior to voiding the warranty. My warranty was voided when I put the T2500 in so…

    I will report my findings after I reopen and get dimensions. If i complete the installation of a new heatsink w/fan I will take pictures for anyone else crazy enough to try it.
     
    slappin, Mar 14, 2007
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  2. System64

    System64 Windows 7 x64

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    Erm the Xpress 200 isn't built for 3D gaming though. Call up Toshiba's support and tell them you found a design flaw that the IGP is too near to the ram slots.
     
    System64, Mar 14, 2007
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