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    M14X R1 advice for support

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by crZyhamSter, Sep 22, 2012.

  1. crZyhamSter

    crZyhamSter Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi,
    I brought a M14x R1 early this year and have had it for a bit over 6 months. It worked fairly well for a while but recently the temps have been hitting 95+ within minutes of gaming or intensive use. I realise that for some people this is normal but it has got to the point where it throttles after very short periods of time on anything that actually uses it as a 'gaming' computer.

    I have approached Dell about this and been told all the usual things (clean the fans, turn off turbo boost etc) which I have done. I also keep it in a clean area and often raise the back but despite this it continues to run badly. My main problem is that I am not able to afford a different computer and am supposed to be using it for school (media/animation is the biggest problem) and it struggles to run well (plus it sounds like a vacuum cleaner).

    Are there any other things I can try (I'm already looking at re pasting) and does anyone have tips for how to convince Dell to switch it for a r2 (which seem to have lower temps). I'm trying to talk to them but getting no luck.

    Thanks,
    crZyhamSter
     
    crZyhamSter, Sep 22, 2012
    #1
  2. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Repasting is seriously your best option, for a few reasons. While you've got the laptop apart, you can clear out MUCH more debris that might be inside it. I kept mine in a clean area as well, and I was shocked when I repasted mine. A thin film of lint and dust was trapped in between the grill of the chassis and the copper of the heatsink. After the clean and repaste, I dropped 20 degrees :)

    Its not a problem with the laptop per-say, its a problem with any device that sucks in air to cool the CPU. Over time, it gets dirty and needs cleaning. Any PC shoppe will do this for you for under 100 dollars if you don't feel comfortable.
     
    copper7op, Oct 14, 2012
    #2
  3. digitalmo

    digitalmo Notebook Consultant

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    It's a combo of two problems - Poor factory paste/application, and typical dust/debris buildup in the cooling system. I think the paste is the real issue here...
     
    digitalmo, Oct 14, 2012
    #3
  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    Same here. I believe that besides cleaning the dust and using a cooling pad you can also do a re-paste and you should be good to go.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Oct 16, 2012
    #4