Alienware x51 r2 overheating?

Question

Hello :) I recently purchased an alienware x51 r2 and ive been happy with the overall experience. However when i start gaming on the machine ,or anything graphics intesive for that matter, my computer will just randomly shut itself off and my monitor will show "No video input". When i turn the computer back on it will stay on the black screen and my monitor will once again show "no video input" but the computer is still on as the alienfx lighting is still on and i can hear the fans inside the case. Its only when i hard reset my computer (Turning it off at the switch at the wall or hold down the power button for 3 seconds) and turn it back on that it will work again. I recorded the temperatures of my computer throughout my time when playing games and my graphics card gets to temperatures of 100degrees c after only 5 minutes of play and it doesn't seem to cool down fast and i don't hear any fans spinning faster. I read on the dell website that if the components get too hot that the computer will turn itself off to prevent the components being damaged. I think the problem is with the graphics card fan but i'm not really good with computers and dont know what id be looking for. I have tried most of the simple fixes online like turning down cpu power usage to make sure its not a power supply issue and ive tried msi afterburner but when i change the fan speed it doesnt sound like its spinning faster if not at all as it is deadly silent. sorry for the long question but If anyone could help me out it would be greatly appreicated.

My Alienware x51 r2 Specs are -

CPU - Intel Core i7 4790 at 3.60 ghz

GPU - AMD Radeon R9 270

RAM - 8gb dual channel ddr3 at 1600mhz

HDD - 2TB (64MB Cache) 7200 RPM SATA 6Gb/s

Optical drive - Slot-Loading Dual Layer DVD Burner (9.5mm)

Wireless - Dell Wireless 1550 (2x2 11ac combo with Bluetooth)

PSU - 330w

Thanks everyone!

-ZionLiam

PhoenixBennu · Answer

If the fans are not working properly, then that would definitely explain the temperature increasing that rapidly. There could also be other factors. I would recommend checking all vents to make sure that no dust or debris is clogging, and check using a monitoring program such as speedfan or, as I prefer to use, HWiNFO64 to manage fan speeds or at least check what speed they are at. These programs are helpful even just as monitoring software.

VinOth_VingO · Answer

Hi,

To check it whether the temperature increasing happened in hard disk or motherboard?

If HDD will be overheating, Try this software to monitor your heat temperature namely "Hard Disk Sentinel".

Here the link to download that software below,

http://www.hdsentinel.com/

Let me know, what temperature show in your computer.

catmelon · Answer

Hi,Did you find the solution for this? I'm facing the same problem. I did couple of test by different software. All results indicate to the disable of the fan on the GPU. The fan speed on my GPU stays at 12rmp which is a very very low speed. No matter what I do to adjust the speed by using software, it just doesnt work. It must be the hardware problems.

TjWeary95 · Answer

my issue being the GPU fan only running at 11RPM, seems to be set that way and wont change even with speedfan. Radeon R9 270

TjWeary95 · Answer

Hi,Did you find the solution for this? I'm facing the same problem.exact same issue need help ASAP

catmelon · Answer

Well, thanks for you reply. But I figured out the problem by myself.

I opened up the computer and took off the GPU (R9 370). I was turning the fan by my finger and realized that the fan is too big for the round opening[8o|]. When the fan moves it scrubs the GPU box. I really didn't want to send the machine back and wait another month. So I used a little knife, cut the opening a bit bigger. After that the GPU works perfectly. No overheating probem anymore and the fan speed looks normal.

PhoenixBennu · Answer

I am sorry this is a little late. Ive been unavailable for a while preoccupied with many other things. Here is the link  <ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

PhoenixBennu · Answer

As an additional note, keep in mind that many "overheating" resolutions are based around airflow. In most cvases, cleaning out vents and dust are the key points. However, if the fan is simply not speeding up past the 11/12rpm, there may be hardware issues as play.

It s important to do the basics. Check vents, make sure all power cabling is connected properly, open the case and try to power the system to check the fans manually and see if there is something holding back the fan speed physically. Software can sometimes give odd readings with fan speeds, and if its saying 11/12 rpm, then fans may not be spinning at all, or they may be spinning, but the system may not be registering the right speeds, which can lead to the fans not kicking in or speeding up when needed.

If everything seems fine, then I would encourage calling in to support. Fans not running at all or overworking themselves is a bit different than the fans being stuck at such low rpms.

PhoenixBennu · Answer

Well, there ya go. The fan speed was being physically held back. Glad you found a solution that worked.

Locked Topics – Alienware General

Alienware x51 r2 overheating?

Was this post helpful?