CPU Temp

[lionwing]

I have a Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-4200M in my Optimus laptop which is just over twelve months old.

Over the last few days the CPU fan seems to be working quite hard under loads where it would not have previously started up. To check on the CPU temp I installed "Real Temp" and noted a temperature 50 of 50-55 deg C while just surfing the net.

I started up Flight Simulator (which I know works a CPU hard) and recorded a max temp of 100 deg C!

In the past I have rarely monitored CPU temps but with the fan working hard I thought it worth a little investigation.

Now firstly...and I am sure it is hard to give a clear answer on this..are the temperatures noted above outside of the norm, is Real Temp a decent CPU temp monitoring app and are there any tips and tricks to reduce CPU temp and keep it under control within a laptop?

Many thanks.

 

[ubuysa]

If you look at this you'll see that the max temp of the i5-4200M is 100deg C so yes, yours is getting alarmingly hot.

I don't use RealTemp (I use HWMonitor from http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html) but the actual temperate data comes from sensors on the chip and motherboard so I doubt you'll see any difference.

It may be that your CPU needs repasting, you're best off calling PCS and asking them about this if you don't feel up to doing it yourself.

Laptops have inherent cooling problems because they have so little room inside the case. It's thus vital to keep the fan blades and vents clean, you can get special low pressure compressed air cans to help do this cleaning. I use a can of compressed air and a soft brush to keep the vents and blades clean. It's also important to get the dust out of the "radiator" next to the fan (by the air outlet in the case). This is usually a collection of thin vanes and dust build up in there will reduce the cooling effect.

Laptops also need a good airflow both underneath and around them, so ensure that nothing blocks the vents. Raising the laptop off the desk helps the airflow too. Wooden (and some plastic) desks retain heat so that the laptop is drawing warm air in, which is obviously not good.

A laptop cooling pad (with one or more fans) is a great investment for a laptop. Not only does it raise the laptop allowing more airflow but it forces more air onto and into the laptop helping cooling. If you don't have a cooling pad then get one.

I suspect your overheating is either because your fan and vents are seriously blocked, or because you don't have sufficient airflow around the laptop, or possibly because the thermal paste (that helps move the heat off the CPU chip) needs replacing.

 

[lionwing]

Thank you for the reply.

I will contact PCS to discuss the situation and see what they advise.

In the meantime I will also look into cooling mats.

Richard

 

[Illusion32]

I have a Intel® Core™i5 Dual Core Mobile Processor i5-4200M in my Optimus laptop which is just over twelve months old.

Over the last few days the CPU fan seems to be working quite hard under loads where it would not have previously started up. To check on the CPU temp I installed "Real Temp" and noted a temperature 50 of 50-55 deg C while just surfing the net.

I started up Flight Simulator (which I know works a CPU hard) and recorded a max temp of 100 deg C!

In the past I have rarely monitored CPU temps but with the fan working hard I thought it worth a little investigation.

Now firstly...and I am sure it is hard to give a clear answer on this..are the temperatures noted above outside of the norm, is Real Temp a decent CPU temp monitoring app and are there any tips and tricks to reduce CPU temp and keep it under control within a laptop?

Many thanks.

Hi, haven't you tried any other PC monitoring software ? I'm using HWMonitor ,there are other CPU monitoring apps too - such as Linx or Everest , you should try them,
it can be a problem with the software you're using.

 

[lionwing]

I am running HWMonitor as I type.

The key thing is the fan kicking in. I have yet to put the CPU under any load this evening.

 

[ubuysa]

I am running HWMonitor as I type.

The key thing is the fan kicking in. I have yet to put the CPU under any load this evening.

As I said I doubt you'll see much difference, the temperature sensors are built into the hardware so any software product sees the same data.

Have you given it a good clean yet? That should probably be your first course of action.

Then I'd get a cooling pad (with decent fans and airflow).

If it still runs hot then call PCS and discuss it with them, my guess then would be the thermal paste.

 

[Jamie0202]

Just to add to Ubuysa's excellent advice I would guarantee that there is a thick carpet of dust blocking the outflow from the fan. This will be in between the fan and the cooling vanes and all the brushing and compressed air from the outside won't help, not once the "carpet" has built up.

You'll need to open the cover on the bottom of the laptop and remove the fan, only then will you be able to remove the blockage which will be instantly recognizable. If you're not used to opening laptops it may seem daunting at first but sadly it's necessary and all part of owning a gaming laptop. To be honest though it's an easy enough task. Just make sure you are careful when you're in there and don't poke anything metal like screwdrivers in and around places they shouldn't be.

 

[SpyderTracks]

As I said I doubt you'll see much difference, the temperature sensors are built into the hardware so any software product sees the same data.

Have you given it a good clean yet? That should probably be your first course of action.

Then I'd get a cooling pad (with decent fans and airflow).

If it still runs hot then call PCS and discuss it with them, my guess then would be the thermal paste.

Just to add to Ubuysa's excellent advice I would guarantee that there is a thick carpet of dust blocking the outflow from the fan. This will be in between the fan and the cooling vanes and all the brushing and compressed air from the outside won't help, not once the "carpet" has built up.

You'll need to open the cover on the bottom of the laptop and remove the fan, only then will you be able to remove the blockage which will be instantly recognizable. If you're not used to opening laptops it may seem daunting at first but sadly it's necessary and all part of owning a gaming laptop. To be honest though it's an easy enough task. Just make sure you are careful when you're in there and don't poke anything metal like screwdrivers in and around places they shouldn't be.

I would wholeheartedly agree with both ubuysa and Jamie0202, the first place to check is giving the laptop a good clean. Any gaming laptop is highly prone to dust buildup which on performance components has a severe impact. A full clean out by removing the base of the laptop and using compressed air and a natural fiber paintbrush should be done around every 6 months to keep performance and cooling to optimum levels.

 

[lionwing]

Thank you for the advice.

I have no experience in opening up a laptop but can see several screws on the base that will need removing along with the battery.

I assume there will also be cables connecting to the screen and keyboard...what else should I expect to see that might complicate the job?

Forgive my lack of knowledge in this area.

 

[ubuysa]

Thank you for the advice.

I have no experience in opening up a laptop but can see several screws on the base that will need removing along with the battery.

I assume there will also be cables connecting to the screen and keyboard...what else should I expect to see that might complicate the job?

Forgive my lack of knowledge in this area.

I changed the wifi card in my Optimus IV a few months back and wrote up some instructions with pictures. This involved taking off the back plate that covers the fan. If yours is an Optimus V I'm guessing the chassis is the same. Details and pictures at https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?25211-Optimus-IV-removing-the-wireless-card&highlight=optimus+wifi. For cleaning the fan you won't need to worry about any cables or connectors, the bottom comes off clean once all the screws are out.

 

[lionwing]

What a fantastic tutorial!

Many thanks...that is a huge help.

Cleaning the fan looks relatively straight forward and looking at your Optimus it looks very similar to mine.

 

[lionwing]

Thanks for the help given above.

Armed with a can of "air" and a brush the CPU temp has come down between 15/20 deg overall.

These where the results on-boot up immediately after the clean!

Something to be said for "cooling" systems I think!

I have had a look at a few cooling mats but they all seem either very poor quality or at the top end of the price spectrum.. I'm looking for good value but decent performance - any tips?

 

[SpyderTracks]

That's much better, I'd like those temps!

With regards to mats, what budget are you looking at?

 

[lionwing]

Looking for a decent mat between £15.00 - £25.00.

Ordered one from Ebuyer...tried it and sent it back. Flimsy and poor performance!

 

[SpyderTracks]

Tye zalman zm-nc11 comes in at the top end, reason I mention it is its one big ass fan so nice and quiet. I have the nc3500 and based on that, I'd recommend it. Reviews on amazon are pretty promising, 4 stars.

 

[lionwing]

Thank you for the recommendation.

I will look at the reviews which are usually quite helpful on Amazon.