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    M11x R2 Running EXTREMELY Hot, Help Please!

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010.

  1. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    My i7's CPU and GPU are both running at over 80C when I'm gaming, sometimes reaching over 85C. Due to this turbo mode barely ever kicks in, and using throttlestop still scares me because the laptop feels like it's going to melt through my desk. I have tried using a laptop cooler, and that really hasn't helped. I read that people can game at 70C and under, could someone help me please? thanks!

    I am using the 260.89 drivers, and the battery is set to maximum performance
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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  2. Xsonic

    Xsonic Notebook Consultant

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    My drivers are 260.99 using latest bios. Battery's on balanced.

    [​IMG]Right after a 30 min match on SC2
    [​IMG] on Idle
    [​IMG] Bad Company 2 running on medium
     
    Xsonic, Dec 5, 2010
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  3. madpacket

    madpacket Notebook Enthusiast

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    I hit mid 80's all the time on my r2. Don't stress, it's normal for these units.
     
    madpacket, Dec 5, 2010
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  4. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    @Xsonic, does using the latest BIOS reduce temps? We seem to have the same config, but even on idle my CPU is 50 and GPU is 48
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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  5. Xsonic

    Xsonic Notebook Consultant

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    I didn't feel any difference after updating the bios. It was a couple months ago.
     
    Xsonic, Dec 5, 2010
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  6. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

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    Temps drop extremely fast after a load is stopped, so temps immediately after gaming aren't really a very good example. You're also not overclocking as the OP is.

    @ SandF: Different games are going to utilize the CPU and GPU differently, so it would be helpful to know which games you're seeing high temps on so that people could give you better comparisons. That your system is reaching mid-80s isn't really cause for concern as that's well within specs.

    Based on feedback from people using ThrottleStop here it's generally thought that it doesn't impact temperatures much if at all.

    The A03 BIOS for the R2 did include adjustments to the fan tables to "improve performance" (whatever that really means). When it first came out some of us did some testing to determine at what temps it activated various speeds and the like. I forget what conclusions we drew from those, but it's all documented in the R2 A03 BIOS thread. Read up on that and install it if you feel it might help.
     
    slickie88, Dec 5, 2010
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  7. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    the main concern i have is that once the system does reach the 80s, turbo boost turns off and frame rates drop drastically, is there any way to make sure it stays on?
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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  8. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

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    Throttlestop.
     
    slickie88, Dec 5, 2010
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  9. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    what are the best TDP and TDC limits? and what about the Force TDP/TDC number?
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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  10. slickie88

    slickie88 Master of Puppets

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    On mine I'm running with TD/TC settings of 60/100. I've run at 200/200 too. It doesn't make any difference how high you set them so long as you're setting them high enough to overcome the default limits.

    Force TDP/TDC is good at around 6 to 8 for most people. That settings essentially is telling your system how often to enforce the TD/TC limits you've set.
     
    slickie88, Dec 5, 2010
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  11. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    i fixed the problem! i airblasted the fan, now games run at under 65C!
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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  12. froogle

    froogle Notebook Evangelist

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    That would do it too!

    Move to a less dusty house :)
     
    froogle, Dec 5, 2010
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  13. Ex3beatnik

    Ex3beatnik Notebook Consultant

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    What did you airblast with?
     
    Ex3beatnik, Dec 5, 2010
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  14. SlowAndFat

    SlowAndFat Notebook Enthusiast

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    compressed air, "dust off" brand
     
    SlowAndFat, Dec 5, 2010
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