GPU temperatures seem too low

I'm using a Dell Inspiron 1520.

And when I'm playing games like Dragon Age 2, or TF2, I'm getting temperatures of 55-60c. It doesn't seem to go over 60 ever. Of course, I'm using a laptop fan (Zalman 1000). Is the fan really cooling my laptop that much? Or is there something wrong with my sensors? I don't want to try playing without the fan just incase of slight overheating it... it's 3 years old.

I'm using RivaTuner to check the temperatures.

 

You can use other programs to see if the temperature readings line up. One good one is HWMonitor (link in my signature). If the two temperatures are within +/- 10 degrees or so, then Rivatuner is probably also accurate.

Regarding GPU temperatures, my T500's discrete GPU has never gone over 70C, and I do not use an active cooler. Most often, it's in the mid-60s during gaming.

 

It's possible that the 8600 Geforce GO in your laptop just isn't powerful enough to really churn out the FPS for your games. Hence, even though it's working hard, it might not be outputting the same level of heat as more modern GPU's. Also if I recall correctly, the GO series of GPU's never really put out a lot of heat because they were gimped versions of their brethren.

 

My GPU also never gets past 60 ... the most extreme of games maybe get it pumped up to 65 in a hot day ... As long as you are getting 100% GPU utilization you shouldn't worry about low temps ... use GPU-Z to check both the temps & utilization ... keep it running in the background & open one of your games and play for 30 minutes while allowing it to stay working in the background (there is a tab you need to check for that in the software)

then see the max gpu utilization & max temps when you are done

EDIT: if you transfer the thread to the gaming section you may get more info from people who game on the same machine as yours

 

Mine got to 88 today in AoC.. ouch. Definitely want to wait for my cooler.. though it only gets to 79 if I have it raised 1 inch from the table and not on the table. Makes a huge difference.

 

I have a vostro 1500 and my temps are about the same as yours, maybe 1-2C difference...I can play DA2(demo) on med or low at native res, I'm obviously not getting 60+fps on either but still can enjoy the demo. Those temps are good and perhaps you should do a dust checkup anyway to see how dusty those fans are now. If you OC you will see slightly higher temps, although the system seems to handle temps really good.

 

If I'm not mistaken, the Inspiron 1520 had the 8600m GT, which in most notebooks ran quite warm (70c-90c)... and before death get extremely hot (90c+). DA2 is very stressful, especially so on an 8600m GT.

Then again, some of the Dell models have pretty good cooling systems, and with the addition of a cooling pad, it would be pretty easy to attain a 60c load temp.