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    Cooling

    Discussion in 'Alienware M15x' started by LxGST, Mar 25, 2011.

  1. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    As some of you guys may know I'm running a Clevo GTX 460M now. It's been fine for a while, but I tried running Crysis 2 for a while today and it shut off twice, probably due to temperatures. Good news is at both resolutions (1280x720 and 1600x900) it was extremely smooth.

    Bad news: now I need advice on either underclocking the card to dell GTX 460M specifications and finding some cooling pads and material to supplement the stock alienware m15x cooling system (thermal sheet). I know you guys are really well versed in these matters.

    Another bit of good news is that I adjusted the nvidia performance in the nvidia control panel and am now getting 50-60 fps in league of legends, so huzzah.
     
    LxGST, Mar 25, 2011
    #1
  2. Laxxi

    Laxxi Notebook Evangelist

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    :eek:

    I though this was supposed to be a really cool card!!
     
    Laxxi, Mar 26, 2011
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  3. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    It is a cool card. Downclocking may be because you have an extreme processor? I run my 920xm at default when gaming and only ramp it up for non graphical applications or else it would suck all the power from the GPU. I have yet to get some thermal pads for my graphics memory though. Should I get rid of everything else because there are some other pads on the other bits on GPU should I just get rid of them?
     
    widezu69, Mar 26, 2011
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  4. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    It's a great card. I don't have the official dell card, which is underclocked. I have a clevo card. Anyway, I was looking for suggestions on thermal sheet. No, I don't have an extreme processor. I have an i7-720QM. To be honest, I think it crashes at 80 Celsius or so, though, it could be hotter for all I know.

    What applications can I use to make a record of heat before crash?
    What thermal sheet can I get that will effectively dissipate heat better?
     
    LxGST, Mar 26, 2011
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  5. superman3486

    superman3486 Notebook Consultant

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    as for thermal readings on the GPU use gpuz and check off "log to file" it will record to the designated area you choose to save the log file.
     
    superman3486, Mar 26, 2011
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  6. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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    @ LxGST, can you post your CPU and GPU temps?
     
    pepemosca, Mar 26, 2011
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  7. Mexic00ls

    Mexic00ls Notebook Deity

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    use gpu-z, run the sensors and create a log and just run it in the background, if u check it after a crash you should be able to track your temp paths....

    and thermal sheet if by that u mean thermal pads for the gddr5 then i suggest this : Fujipoly Premium System Builder Thermal Pad - 1/4 Sheet - 150 x 100 x 0.5 - Thermal Conductivity 6.0 W/mK - FrozenCPU.com

    im currently using a 1.o thickness but was getting slightly better results from 0.5 ones..... im using ati 5850 overclocked and max temps on crysis 2 r 81 and a constant 77...
     
    Mexic00ls, Mar 26, 2011
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  8. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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    For reference, here are my temps before 1 hour of Crysis 2:

    [​IMG]

    And CPU values:

    [​IMG]

    No OC on the CPU or the GPU.
     
    pepemosca, Mar 26, 2011
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  9. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    will do later tonight.
    Thanks all.

    Well, I underclocked my GTX 460M to the dell settings and I'm running Crysis 2 w/ the GPU at 52 Celsius. About 60 plugged in, I'll try some higher graphic settings tomorrow. 1280x720) / "Gamer" specifications.
     
    LxGST, Mar 26, 2011
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  10. pepemosca

    pepemosca Notebook Evangelist

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    You are cool and cold :)
    I get 66 Celsius!
     
    pepemosca, Mar 26, 2011
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  11. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    Yeah, I don't know if it was a fluke or what.
    [JDL] Crysis 2 - Advanced Graphics Tweak Tool

    Could you guys come up with some sample settings for me to try? Yesterday I tried medium (and tried to keep the CPU based settings down). i7-720QM / 460M. Talked to a friend and he suggested that the bios wasn't properly controlling the card, so that might have been part of the issue; either way the heat is a lot better underclocked than regular speeds.
     
    LxGST, Mar 27, 2011
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  12. LxGST

    LxGST Notebook Consultant

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    LxGST, Mar 27, 2011
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