Precision M4400: "Again" Fan noise problem!

Hello,

I'm very happy with my M4400 system, but one thing makes me really angry.

Why ist it, that the CPU fan runs with 3000 rpm, when the CPU is idle and the temperature of the CPU is 37 degrees? Also the chipset temperature is not that high. I made you a screenshot:



I tried everything to get the fan start much later. I used Artic MX-2 thermal compound, liftet my M4400 higher, undervolted it, but nothing works.

In my point of view, DELL made something wrong by programming the BIOS. Is it unnecessarily to run a CPU fan at 3000 rpm when the cpu is cool enough.
Maybe 800-1000 rpm would be fine.

So my question is:

Is it possible to use a kind of speed controller, know from desktop system, to making the fan run much slower?

As far as I see, Dell uses a 4-lines PWM connection the the mainboard.

Any further hint for me?

Thank you

------------------------
M4400 (A12)*P9600*Quadro FX 1700M*Arctic MX-2 Thermal Compound*4 GB DDR2 RAM*1440x900 WLED Display (Philips LG LPL0AA8)*Intel(R) WiFi Link 5300 AGN*Dell Wireless 370 Bluetooth Mini-card*1. Seagate ST9160411ASG 160 GB HDD 7200 rpm*2. Seagate ST9500420ASG 500 GB HDD 7200 rpm (Lenovo Ultrabay Slim II HDD Adapter)*Windows XP SP3 32Bit

 

what bios are you using?

also, try using hardwaremonitor (hwmonitor) to check your temps, some other apps dont read the temps correctly

 

On my E6400 (see signature), the fan usually kicks in when the chipset temp goes above 50 and turns off when it drops below 45 (I use HWmonitor). However, there is also a time factor: the more time your M4400 had its fan on, the more time it takes for the fan to turn off again.

Have you stressed the laptop before taking that screenshot?

 

He uses A12 (see his signature).

 

Hey Junky, when did you buy your laptop?

 

The system was produced February 2009!

Before taking the screenshot I did not stress the system at all.

I only worked in this forum here, nothing more, nothing less.

Here a HW Monitor Screenshot (made right now):



And the fan runs at 3000 rpm again!

 

I think you should call Dell support. I am sure they can help you.

Btw. has Dell already resolved the problem with Graphic "underclocking" issue? I want to buy this laptop (very similar to your configuration Junky) but I want to use it also for occasional gaming. But from what I have been read at this forum, it is not possible to play game uder full load for more than half an hour. After that graphic card is so hot that it underclock itself what lead to lower FPS. Is it still true or is here any improvement about this?

 

@Pitrs81

This is not true anylonger. I'm gaming for extended periods and have no downclocking at all. I used to have downclocking on BIOS A06,A09,A11 but now on A12 everything is as it should. GPU hits 81c max, after applying AS5 and i do lift the back for extra airflow

 

this sounds very strange. maybe ur fan is faulty. try asking them to send over a tech to replace the fan

 

May be the temperature sensor is out on that fan.