If you own a Latitude with an Nvidia GPU, you need to read this:

Ill try and keep this as short as possible.
I have had an E6400 since the DAY it came out, with a T9400 and Nvidia 160m.
I have had heat /dissipation/fan problems since day one.

Jump forward 6 months and now on my second machine and my hardware has started to degrade due the temp/environment. My CPU constantly throttles, stalls at 100 usage and even shuts down my laptop (on restart I get a pre windows screen that says it automatically had to shut down due to heat).

This problem is due to a very warm running Nvidia GPU compunded by lousy heat dissipation design within the laptop WHEN DOCKED.

Granted, you may have this problem undocked as well (more specifically a fan with a mind of its own), but the problem will arise much earlier if you use the docking station often and lid is CLOSED.

The point of this thread is to alert users to this problem; keep your eyes open for hardware degradation at the 5 or 6 month point, with heavy dock usage. Furthermore, if you use two external monitors (as do I), you will expedite this issue. Eventually the computer will run too hot and will need to be shut down.

-->It seems that heat just cannot escape properly when docked and laying on the base.
If I can save other people a potetnially huge headache then this debacle might have been worth it. Please keep an eye on system performance when docked as opposed to docked and when new as opposed to 3-6 months in. If you can definitely report discrepancies and or a progression of degradation in performance, CALL DELL.

I am now getting a third machine from DELL with the same specs, b/c their ridiculous return policy will not allow me to downgrade to the cheaper, yet cooler running Intel 4500.

 

some solid advice there.

 

Isnt the lemon policy after the third one you have the ability to get your money back? Maybe after this one goes you will have this option or to renegotiate to a different machine.

 

hey, dude, ur getting a new laptop e6500 every 6 months.
thinking about it from the bright side.

 

I hope so.
I would change all my specs to keep the heat to a minimum or, just not go with a DELL.

Yes, but honestly-id do anything to not have to deal with these problems anymore. This has been a huge headache.

 

I personally have just given up with dell. A few years ago, they had a fantastic customer service that was the undisputed king amoung computer companies. Over the past few years, however, it just seems they've dropped the ball with ridiulous waiting times and fustrating customer service staff.

 

What kind of temps are you seeing? I have an E6400 with a X9100 CPU and NVS 160m. I use docked with lid closed driving a 27" LCD about 50-70 percent of the time and my temps are running usually 60c for the GPU spiking to 65-80c with heavy work load and my CPU runs on average at 40-50c. These are well with in the design of specs of these components and after nearly 7 months she is still running like she is new.

 

It could be the difference in CPU's but I would say its more the fact that youre running one monitor and im running two.
That extra monitor adds a substantial added workload to the GPU which I imagine would involve an increase in heat as well.

 

How often does your fan come on, and for how long, before it switches off?

 

Bummer.

I would try using a laptop cooler. Can't hurt.

Also... does nVidia's control panel have any options to throttle back the GPU... kind of like Intel SpeedStep... some sort of a power-saver mode? If so, that might help cut down on the heat.

As for the multiple monitors... I don't see that being more than a minor factor at most... my x3100 can handle multiple monitors, so I don't think it would push the nVidia card too much.