SZ Runs hot?

I got my new SZ-450N/C the other day and really like it except one thing. It gets really hot. Using Orthos as a stress tester and Notebook Hardware Control to monitor the CPU temp, the max CPU temp reached 92 degrees C. This seems awfully hot to me under load. Are any other SZ users seeing anything like this at all?

I reformatted right away when I got it and put XP on here, not sure if that would be an issue. I can't imagine that it is though.

Thanks,
Austin

 

I believe it's dependent on how intensely you're using the laptop's resources.

My SZ gets really, really hot when I do media-intense application for a long period of time. For example, when I play Counterstrike Source (a 3d gaming application), the underside becomes very hot.

Then again, when I'm word processing, it's nice and cool.

 

Yeah, when I had my SZ460, it ran very cool (only got hot when gaming). I think my idle temps were like 26-28 degrees C or something, and even when word processing, etc. it was mostly in the low 30's. I was very impressed with how cool it ran.

Even when gaming though I think it was more in the 50-60 range (usually on the low end of that). 92 degrees C seems way too high.

 

Well, I understand that depending on what I am doing will effect the CPU temp. Under full load, do you see 92 to 93 degrees C? It just seems kind of high. Just doing some very quick undervolting, I have managed to knock 10 degrees off of my max CPU Temp. I have not fully tested at these speeds, but will do so tonight.

 

Time to look into undervolting the CPU. That can take around 10C off the CPU temperature and also reduce the fan activity but there is no performance penalty.

This thread gives details of how to undervolt using NHC. The other undervolting software is RMClock (which I use). There isn't a single recent guide to using RMClock but most of the instructions are on the links in this thread.

John

 

zadillo,

Is there a specific program that you used to test the CPU temp, just to make sure that we comparing apples to apples? I am pretty sure all programs use the same standard to detect CPU temp, but just to be thorough.

Thanks,
Austin

 

John Ratset,

Yeah, I am undervolting right now, but if the CPU temps aren't comparable to other users under the default Sony settings, I need to look into getting a replacement from newegg.

Thanks,
Austin

 

I was using the temperature readings from SpeedFan.

 

So, just another update:

Speedfan is indicating that my max CPU temp under load is 62C, while Notebook Hardware Control is reading 77C. Not sure where the discrepancy is. They scale at the same rate, but it looks like there is a 15C offset for the Notebook Hardware Control software. Very Interesting.

Thanks,
Austin

Edit: This is with pretty significant under volting on the max multiplier frequency. Hence the numbers in my first post of 92C have been reduced to 77C by using undervolting.

 

use core temp to test your cpu temp, and play around with the vaio power management, i got the same model as you have, mine run at 39-49c when browsing, texting, editing photos, play music at same time.

 

Are you using the VAIO on a solid flat surface? I went to a buddies house last weekend and she had the notebook on the bed with her, vents covered and all. The fans were going nuts and the sheets were on fire (we didn't even get into heavy petting yet).

 

My SZ ran cooler with the 1.83ghz chip than it did after I installed the T7600 2.33ghz. I looked up on Intel's website and the T7600 can run safely at 100C. Since I installed the chip I have re-installed XP and now it seems to run between 50-85c depending on what I am doing. I have seen the chip temp over 87c before the Arctic Silver thermal compound was broken in. If you are running in the low 90c range with heavy usage that could be acceptable. Make sure the back of your SZ has breathing room for the fan. Don't block it by setting your SZ on a couch cushion or something. If you can purchase a notebook cooler such as Antec's model that is powered by usb than do. It will help a lot when you can use it. If you are reaching the 90c range surfing the web with minimal CPU utilization than something is wrong in your cooling and you should warranty it if possible. When other's report there CPU temps it might be helpful to state the CPU. With my T2400 1.83 processor my SZ never got above the low 70c range.

 

Even running games on Speed mode with no undervolting I still never get above 70 degrees on my 1.66ghz SZ, and that is on my bed sheets with near zero ventilation. Not good for the system I know but an indicator of what it can withstand. 90 degrees is way too high.

 

I was/am running the laptop on a nice glass desktop surface. After working at it quite a bit, I have significantly undervolted my CPU and am extremely happy with the results.

Using the Notebook Hardware Control 2.0, I have set all of my multiplier voltage values at .9750V except for the x6 multiplier (since it is hardware locked). I ran Orthos stress test program for 8 hours without an error, so I am reasonably sure I can get away with it. I am extremely pleased with my 450N/C with Windows XP and undervolting. Now if only I could get that fingerprint reader working . . .

 

I have the 490n. Less than a month of purchase of the SZ, it got unbearably hot, the top cover plastic covering the fan got warped. This is first for any laptop I've owned. Also it did crash few times probably due to heat.

By the way, I wasn't even doing any intensive work. The SZ was sitting idle and that's what happened. Maybe it was due to bad spywares that caused intense processing activity.

 

So, one think that I pointed out earlier in the thread that was interesting is the different temperatures reported by 2 different programs. Notebook Hardware Control temperature is 15C higher than the SpeedFan temperature reading, even though they are both set to Core0. Going by the SpeedFan temperature, I was in the range that other people reported; idle 30 - 40C, under load high 60s, low 70s. The NHC temp showed up in the 90s under load and 50s idle.

Anyway, undervolting to the level mentioned in the last post along with a custom dynamic switching setup, under a pretty good load (WoW, a bunch of widgets, firefox) I only hit mid 40's. Yeah, it kind of sucks that if you don't know what you are doing you would get stuck with a laptop that I though ran pretty toasty. Thank you undervolting.

 

Quick question maybe someone can answer: Once undervolted w/ NHC, does NHC have to be open for the undervolting to stay in effect or does it make changes that are effective whether NHC is open or closed?

 

If you close NHC the notebook still undervolting, but you need to open NHC every boot.
This software will change the settings only if started.

Regards.

 

Here is my dust magnatized SZ with warped speaker cover on top of where colling fan is located.

 

I got my SZ3 2.16Ghz yesterday and am really scared now.
As soon as I start anything CPU intensive for more than 15 seconds, NHS warns that it's over 80 degrees. And yes, it really feels hot. SOO quick.

I'm going about to try the undervolting thing, but I really shouldn't have to do that. I mean, in 15-20 secs of CPU intensity it reaches 80 degrees. Something is seriously wrong here

Should I go down and buy some AS5 compound to apply?

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Edit: Undervolted multipler 13 to 1.1000 Volts and ran Orthos for 30 seconds. Beeep, 80 degrees. BUt, it was somewhat stable there. Under 1.1000V it gives errors directly. I'm going in to town to get hold of some AS5. This is crazy!
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Edit2: Quickly transferred myself from house to a store in town full of stupid n3rds, almost not knowing anything, and purchased some AS5. Applied during cooking of lunch and guess what, instant 10 degrees knocked off (13x and 1.100 Volts). Must have been extra poorly done on mine as original, because 10 degrees doesn't show that fast. Now lets see what happens after a few hundred hours of usage. Maybe 15 if I'm extremly lucky, which I never am btw.

 

is it normal that the fan of SZ3 is always working?.
since i turn on the pc, and also in stamina the fan never stops