15 R3, CPU overheating since latest BIOS update

Question

ISSUE: 2016 - Nov2020: I had been using my laptop for almost 4 years without any major issues, regularly cleaning up my laptop fans and seeing max temps of 80 Celsius and only during extended heavy gaming. Oct 12th:  My system starts giving BSOD and bios resets the date. I find out that there is a BIOS update released on the same day (Version 1.10.0, 1.10.0) and I upgrade my BIOS to the latest version. This resolves the system crashes but instead introduces significant CPU heating. CPU TEMPERATURES CPU Specs: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700HQ CPU @ 2.60GHz[Cores 4] Idle Temps: 40-50 Celsius, no system stability issues. On heavy load: CPU temps rapidly reach 90-100 Celcius within 10 seconds. GPU 75-90. Keyboard gets uncomfortably hot.  Intel  Utility reports CPU clocking around 3000 MHZ (considered within expected range for my CPU model according to Dell article) and throttling due to Power. If I exit the game, the temperatures drop to below 60 within 5 second, which makes me think it is not a fan/heat sink/paste issue. WHAT I've already Tried 1. Windows Power: Max CPU Load %75 2. Undervolted CPU by -125ma using Throttle stop 3. Cleaned my fans off dust 4. Used a custom fan curve to respond to temps quickly using HWINFO 5. Tried to downgrade my Bios however it did not allow me 6. Reinstalled the same version of BIOS and reset to defaults. I don't have OC performance mode on.   Result & Current Status: No significant improvement, still hitting 90-100 Celsius with my CPU eventually. I am out of ideas...Grateful if a Dell Moderator or another AW owner with similar problem can provide suggestions?  Many thanks

DELL-Cares · Answer

We tried reaching you on a private message asking for the Service Tag but did not receive a response. Please feel free to reply to the private message whenever you are available.

goktek · Answer

My warrant has expired. Looking for advice from the community. Thanks

A51-06 · Answer

Hey Dude, How are you? I'm seeing you're experiencing Power Throttling because of the Latest BIOS for your Alienware 15 R3. Here's something that might help.  BIOS Recovery Using the Dedicated Buttons which are CTRL + ESC when Rebooting. /* This Action was preformed automatically by a bot. If you'd like some more help PM message me and I will help. */

MarknSA62 · Answer

I have the same model, mine is also out of warranty and hitting 100C causing both thermal throttling and power throttling.

I am very dissatisfied with my unit. It started running warmer right after I got it back from Dell for a keyboard replacement. But the highs were only about 92C - now I cant game on it for more than 30 minutes.

crimsom · Answer

Hi @goktek  we are not a 15 R3 user. Alienware Support has posted the video, How to troubleshoot thermal throttling and overheating. Having installed the most recent BIOS, check 15 R3 user posts to see how to roll back BIOS. When BIOS resets date, the common fix is to replace the CMOS coin battery.

A51-06 · Answer

elevate the laptop and make sure theres air going into it by the bottom and also clear the vents out with compressed air and a repaste too. an undervolt is optional but cleaning everything up helps.

Cyberpunk2077 · Answer

Shutdown the computer and disconnect the AC

- Press and hold esc + ctrl

- reconnect the AC and turn on while holding esc + ctrl

- wait for .5 sec then release

This will initiate the Bios Recovery mode and will then prompt you with 3 options, at that point you will chose to ROLLBACK which will then load one of the three files we've overrided previously (it's probably the BIOS_PRE file, lurring the system into thinking he's loading a legit version.

This way you're guaranteed to downgrade anytime you want to any version you want.

A51-06 · Answer

It’s thermal repaste and all the dust needs to be removed. It should fix the issue.

Alienware

15 R3, CPU overheating since latest BIOS update

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