Another m14x, heat/gaming thread.

So, m14x is sick. Fans do kick in sometimes, sound like a mini hair dryer. Meh.

So just got this baby a few days ago. Played about 30min or so of Call of duty modern warfare 2 High settings and some portal.

Temps can get up to around 90-95C on the i7 2820, which from googling, it looks like even the 2620 or 2720 hit the same temps too.

Soooo, obviously the CPU on this thing runs hot, the GPU seems to stay pretty cool for some reason, which is weird because any desktop I ever owned the graphics cards heat always severely exceeded the CPU.

Anyway, the parts are durable and I know alot of people cry about it being to hot and defective, but a simple google search you will see the MACHINE RUNS HOT. ESPECIALLY THE CPU.

I'm going to keep testing it out the next few days to see if the thermal paste is setting in.

Anyone order an m14x and have the temps on the cpu drop? Anyone have the 2820, what did you get initially upon receiving your order temps wise when gaming?

Thinking about buying a cooler only when I game but I'm going to monitor the CPU temp and see if the paste sets in and temps drop.

 

Oh and does anyone want to see an indepth video review on the alienware m14x? This is my first alienware, so my perspective would be from an alienware novice which might be of some benefit for the people on here leaning to buy an alienware laptop but not sure. I also was a die hard desktop gaming guy.

 

Maybe the thermal paste on the GPU was applied better than the CPU?

 

I'd definitely get a cooling pad if you game a lot on it.

Also, what games are you playing specifically when it heats up to those temperatures you posted? I'm curious because everyone complains about the heat from gaming but never posts what games they are playing. Obviously newer FPS and games with intense graphics engines are going to run your GPU and CPU much harder.

 

I got the same problem like you, but worse, my CPU (2720QM) reach 100C!!!

CPU Run Hot!

The setting was max except for the shadow and HBAO, the GPU was also OC - 701/1402/1000, but run at an acceptable temp. I've order a cooling pad though, but havent arrive yet, I will update the temp in that thread once I test again.

 

Those temps are def. not normal. Is the fan at full blast? I would repaste first. A cooler cant fix a bad paste job.

 

Oh my god man, 100? Not cool. If you see it this hot again screen shot it and post it here. Not that I don't trust you, but *picture or it didn't happen*.

 

GSDR, I actually knew about you're thread because I was googling the m14x and high heat CPU temperatures.

I'm actually going to have go out on a ledge and disagree on here with everyone who talks about repasting the CPU. I'm all about building computers and modding, I built my last gaming computer from scratch, but the bottom line is you have a high-end i7 in these ~ 14" form factors and they produce excessive heat.

If you google this concept, you will see it's not 1 or 2 or 3 m14x owners, but hundreds who get 90's while gaming. I already know CPU's from Intel, especially the new Sandy Bridges are built like tanks and are more durable than people make them about to be.

I only posted because I was curious to see if any new m14x owners had their temps drop after a few weeks of receiving their machines due to curing of the thermal paste, though I'm not sure what paste AW uses. I'm definitely not going to re-paste anything or anytime soon.

These machines run hot, and 90's is not abnormal for a second generation i7 2820 is a 14" laptop when gaming at 1600x900.

The games I was running was actually modern warfare 2, which is obviously a little less GPU intensive and older game, I did run battlefield bc 2, which is obviously quad core friendly and more CPU intensive.

Machine runs perfectly web browsing and anything else, only heats up when gaming on high 1600x900, still can do High/Ultra graphics on almost any game flawlessly, this thing is a beast.

I already ordered the Antec 200 cooler just to off-set the heat when gaming, so the components life isn't shortened.

 

GSDR, I will let you know what my temperatures are when I get my Antec 200 too, it's a great cooler it looks like.

Also, I just got mine custom built, and I'm assuming Alienware might have used paste that has a curing time, so I'm expecting to see the temps drop off lower in the following weeks since my was just built 2 days ago.

I will be interested in your results GSDR since you are an m14x owner.

 

in-game menu, no it is between 60% - 80% the temp was between 80C - 90C. But if I jump into any game, it will climb to between 80% - 90% temp is between 90C - 95C.

I notice that if it was any graphical intensive in background like the building in coming down or someone just blow tons of C4, it will skyrocketing to between 97C - 100C. But another thing I also notice that usually if a laptop reach that level, it will either slow down or worse - auto-shut down, but for this one, it didnt, it just keep going as nothing was happen.

Oh one more thing about the repasting, I actually dont want to risk to damage any component in progress of repasting it, and since there's no Dell outlet here in NZ, plus the warranty dont cover it and I cant just saying it broke since it is obvious that it must be broke if I tear it out. So as I said in that thread, it is will be my last resort option if the cooler dont do the job.

As said in my previous post, I will update the temp after I received the cooler I bought.

What do u mean by "*picture or it didn't happen*"?

 

I repasted my m14x with MX3. It dropped temps by about 3c. It really wasnt worth the effort (taking it apart was a real ball ache, gone are the days of removing the bottom cover, then heatsink like on the old xps/m15/17 ranges).

But try monitoring the temps, I would imagine the cpu is only hitting the high temps for a short time as the TB allows the cpu to run at 2.6ghz until the temps hit late 80c then it throttles it back. Whilst running at 2.6ghz it is running over its 45w TDP. All core i7 processors do this. It was much worse on my old 720qm system.

 

He wants you to show a screenshot of the cpu temperature at 100C to show that you are telling the truth.

 

I ran Prime 95 for over an hour cpu 100% max all cores. Core 0 was at 79 deg with a high of 83. Core 3 hit a high of 75 degree's. I do not see an issue with the m14x anymore than any other Alienware.

 

Yeah, I just updated my bios to A05 and I've been cycling the laptop through heavy usage then shutting down, in attempts to "break-in" the machine since it was just built a few days ago custom via Alienware/dell.

Anyone know what thermal paste Alienware uses?

Anyway, yeah, I'm not worried at all, I know this machine runs hot via it's engineering i.e. powerful components in 14" form factor.

And like you stated above, believe the CPU is only hitting those max temps for a short period of time and then the temps drop back to 80-90, which is totally fine for me.

I'm going to continue to monitor temps in the next few days, and compare how this a05 bios runs.

But yeah, usually the people that post and say "OMG, 90C, that is just ABNORMAL" have m17's or don't even own an Alienware.

If you google every thread/post about the m14x, they all get into the 90's when gaming, coincidentally idle around 50 when web browsing, and all have the self-dubbed "loud fan" (though a05 seems to have fixed it).

I know the components are very durable and all should be well.

 

Has anyone considered lapping the mobile CPU and then applying arctic silver?

 

Okay, that's alright since I play games a lot and recent it come close to that a lot as well, I will screen shot it again. But seriously why do I want to lie? Because this is not something I just able to get something back. But if it do why would I?

 

I got about 80 degrees on my M17x R3 but it has better cooling. With prime95 at 100%.

Seems like the M14x runs hot..real hot like 100 degree's.

I dont know what the CPU can handle, but if the paste is ok and the fans work as they should please buy a cooler. I would be terified of frying the cpu or what not.

 

Yeah, this machine no doubt runs hot.

I always thought all the threads and post I was reading prior to purchasing the m14x were BS.

But, Just got mine 3 days ago and boy, definitely runs hot in games. I don't think the CPU stays around 90C or higher, but rather "spikes" up to that temp and maybe drops to 80C or so. I'm going to have to monitor it better.

I don't know how much better "re-pasting" anything will do. I wouldn't open mine up and re-paste anyway, since I just bought it and I clearly see that the heat is more based off the engineering of this machine than anything else.


I did buy the laptop cooler.

 

I don't know, I guess he would have to answer. "Pics or it didn't happen" is just a popular internet saying.

 

Just got my M14x and tested with Prime95 for an hour: CPU idle 42C / max 81C.

However when I simultaneously ran FurMark together then CPU temp shot up to 98C! GPU stayed at 81C. Is this considered the norm? BTW I'm on A05 bios.

 

The share a heatsink so heat transfer from one to the other is possible. Which CPU did you get? I think I am going to repaste mine today since even temps in the 80's bug me.

 

I've the 2GHz Intel Core i7 2630QM with 1.5GB GT555M... no overclocking.

Good luck & let's us know your repaste result!

 

Hey dudes I just got my m14x yesterday and today I played TF2 maxed out and the temperature of 2 CPU cores was of 96°C and 99°C.. that's normal? what I can do to fix that? if is a problem of my BIOS how can I know which BIOS I have?

SPECS
i7-2630
4gb 1333mhz
750gb 7200 rpm
1600x900

 

Can be caused by the program that I used? it's name is OpenHardware Monitor

 

Does anyone have/know of a good guide that shows how to apply my own thermal paste to my alienware m14x?

 

How long does one have to play a graphic-intensive game to reach 95+ degrees?

2 hours on Witcher and I barely reach 60.

All I do is prop up the back of the laptop with a book.

Also, what seems to help with the heat issue is to avoid using the optical drive.
Mine would have activity even when not in use and just surfing the net would make the right palmrest reach 50+.
I took out the disk (NWN2) and no more heat!

 

Not long, I myself got it to the fatal 99C, and just in between 1-2hrs of play.

 

I am trying to find a way to control the voltage on these when they turbo boost because I really think it's creating excess hear. These use 1.216v for 2.6 ghz [on the 2630qm at least] when my desktop 2600k uses 1.3v for 4.7Ghz. I am sure that we don't need it so high so if there was just a way to edit the voltages for different levels of boost...

 

awesome! please do tell if you find a way. If there is a way to reduce heat in this thing and not really effect performance that would be amazing.

 

my 2820 is going to 99°c so fast
and i think this is my main trouble with GTA4, i did benchmark itin normal conditions and i get around 30 fps
when i benchmarked it with big fan on it and with window opened i got 36 fps

Grrrrrrr can't wait to call Dell tomorrow!!

i think this is why the 2630 cpu are getting easily nicer performance on GTA

 

Is there a way to disable the optical drive when its not being used?

 

I think you might able to do so in BIOS, but I cant confirm that, you will have to have a look yourself. Or you can also try screw the drive out yourself if you want.

btw But you're way too off topic.

 

No I am not since this is a heat topic and a previous user mentioned that stopping the optical drive lowers the heat output.

My suggestion is to disable the optical drive to prevent heat buildup.

 

Okay then you should have stated so, because if you read it again people will usually mistake it, and I have check on the BIOS, there is no way you can disable it, so the only way left is unscrew the drive out.

 

Sorry to butt in but, am I to assume this is an issue only with the i7s in the machines? What temps do the i5s get to on avg?

 

Idk about others... But I'm running an i5 2410m (2.3ghz-2.9ghz TB) w/ TB on and my max temp is 80c. My gpu is also OC'd @770/1540/1080 and the max temps are 68c. This is if I'm playing crysis for a couple hrs.

(I do have gigaware laptop feet under the laptop to provide more airflow though... 4 of them under the laptop raises the laptop off the desk by 1/4 of an inch)

 

Thanks to yankeefan1 for pointing out this issue to me.

I saw there are several threads related to thermals on the M14x. I have forwarded all the links to the appropriate teams within Dell. We are now aware of your concerns and will look into the matter. When I hear something of note from the teams, I will post back on this thread. I chose this thread to post updates because it was the longest one I saw at the time. Please feel free to cross post links to any news that comes down the pike here on other threads you may be monitoring.

Thanks for all the great information.

 

Your welcome Bill,dell escallation said they would look into it,but understand my skepticism Ive heard dells promises many times,no offense,but the m14x has a heat issue due to a design problem.Soon when games need say a 580gtx,we will be SOL,since it can barely accomodate a mid line gt555.

 

You will get more timely and more informed engineering updates from me on this thread, but bless their hearts for trying.

Completely understandable, and none taken.

I shall not follow you in jumping to that conclusion. If a BIOS revision can solve the problem, then it wouldn't have been a design issue. We shall see how it all plays out. The game has only just been joined by Dell Quality Engineering.

Another conclusion that could be wrong on many levels. For one, I do not believe we have plans to bring the current version of the 580gtx to this platform. I could be wrong, but I seriously doubt it.

 

You mis understood my example,right now we have to Oc to even get decent frames out of todays games,I meant the m14x cant keep the heat down on a gt555 so until a change happens we are stuck.I dont expect a gtx580 it would nuke an m14x,and nvidia is changing to a lower fab very soon being more power and less heat.And dell has tried 3 bios in 3 months so its not speculation,I have a6 and it nuked.Some have a3 so I dont think bios will do it.Anandtech even states m14x has poor cooling design.Im not flaming just aggrivated I can't play my fastest gaming 14.And Im not the only one.Ask uncle web,we have to not use a feature like turbo boost to use our laptops,that's all I'm saying.And as for the design flaw being my opinion read the anandtech article on the m14x testing " for such a powerful laptop alienware hass a poor heat design as shown on gaming chart" july 17th 2011.Thanks

 

very glad to see dell responding to these heat problems. Hope your engineering team can figure out a way to fix these issues soon

 

I spoke to Bill on the phone a few hours ago,and honestly he's a good guy,with the best intentions.But like any major corporation he's got alot of red tape,I saw what info he sent ,about 10 various threads with alot of different people to dell/alienware support engineer's and managers upper level support people.Bill is working on it for sure,If he could it would be done now.I truly believe that.I'm in the business on a retail sales level and dev support.And I know some info from my end that I'll provide to dell,I just hope it get's taken care of sooner rather than later, right now Bill sent initial info from owners and tech reports and he's still monitoring different outlets in order to present definitive proof to the engineers that there is a serious issue or not and how to proceed from there.But I know for a fact he's on it, and he's taking it seriously. .

 

if this gets resolved, I might end up buying one and +rep to bill for doing his very best to resolve this issue

 

And I might want to change me mind as well, but it is depend since now I start to have less feeling to get the M14xR2 but the M17xR4 instead, for more power, the 1080p and the 3D screen.

 

I don't even know what System I want now I keep going back and forth. I'll prob just wait for the the revisions and see what fits me best.
3d is a bit of a gimmik on a laptop, but lets not get to off topic here

 

Official response to thermals on M14x:

Thank you for your feedback regarding thermals on the M14x. We have taken your input to the appropriate teams for investigation. After taking component maximum temperature specs, skin temperatures, and overall user experience into consideration, we feel we have the best balance of performance, size and cooling possible on this platform. All components are within component manufacturer and Dell specifications. If you still have further questions or concerns please visit support.dell.com/Alienware or contact our tech support team at [email protected].