Methods to lower temps on m1530?

I get idle temps of 65-70 CPU and 70-75 GPU and gaming temps of 76-80 CPU and 85+ GPU when gaming.

Right now i've been leaning toward the method of spraying all the vents with compressed air, is there anything else I can do that doesn't involve taking apart the laptop?

 

Buy your self a notebook cooler or make yourself one (check the link in my sig)

 

You can undervolt your processor!

I was going to suggest the copper mod as well, but since you don't want to disassemble your laptop, that's kind of out of the question. A notebook cooler (DIY or not) isn't a bad idea either.

 

I mainly want to lower the GPU temp, since my laptop seems to underclock when it reaches a certain temp...

 

Since the CPU and GPU share the same cooling system, lowering your CPU temp (by undervolting or whatever) will indirectly lower your GPU temps. Coppering modding is probably one of the better ways of lowering GPU temps, but as mentioned, it involves removing the CPU and GPU thermal solution.

 

I bought my system in August of 2008, shouldn't it already have the copper whatever thingy? (haha). If not, will copper modding void my warranty?

 

I think your GPU temps are normal based on my experience

 

AceZsta, you have an identical system to mine. I do the following (currently playing Dawn of War 2 Beta);

1. Undervolt, using the guide linked to above, it is sooooo easy! As a ref mines runs perfectly at 12x1.0000v. This seriously drops the CPU temps and therefore the GPU as they share the cooler. Note:- I only undervolt when I play games, I just start Rightmark before starting my game.

2. If you dont want the expense of a cooler just raise the rear of the laptop slightly, improving airflow.

3. Drivers, I think I've tried them all! Dox the lot! I can recommend the Official Nvidia release 179.28. A safe bet if you dont fancy any problems.

With a simple undervolt on the processor and a O/C on the GPU 600/800, ambient room temp 20degrees C, I rarely go above 72degrees C on the GPU.

I really cant recommend undervolting enough. Just follow the guide above.

 

A couple questions:

1) For some reason 'undervolting' sounds like it would be decreasing game performance, is that not true at all?

2) What is 'ambient room temp'?

 

im also curious about undervolting, i recall someone saying that it actually increases performance. is this true?

 

ace, those GPU gaming temps are too high, the normal would be below 80C while gaming, i suggest you call dell ( if you are still under warranty) to have your GPU replaced, you can tell dell that its actually downclocking or loosing performance due to high temps, they will know what to do

 

Alright, i'll try the undervolting thing first, and if the temps still get high or the gaming performance just goes to sh*t, I will call dell.

Anything I should know about calling them? I got the 4 year warranty deal when I bought my system back in August. It's the 80+ degress on the CPU that really scares me...

 

Normal max temps should be about 85C GPU and 75C CPU. These are the 'normal' temps before any cooling measures, and of course will vary depending on processor etc. Once they go above these temps, that's when you should worry. But if you are just hitting those temps and no more, then that is about normal/acceptable.

The first thing you should do is clean the vents and fan blades. Open the bottom panel, and blow compressed air out the vent on the back and (so you are blowing the clogged dust OUT and not into the laptop). Also use something to clean the dust off each individual fan blade.

That's the simplest thing to try. Everybody should do that at least once every few months. If that doesnt work, you can start to think about calling Dell.

 

i generally like dell tech chat, its less stressful, since you dont have to have the phone on your ear for an hour or so...

and you just have to tell them that your computer is suffering from overheating on both your cpu and gpu, and that you are loosing game performance, they should agree to replace the motherboard and heatsink.

if your CPU's high temps continue, tell them again, it could be the CPU itself, but thats unlikely.

best of luck!