Alienware 14-R1 too hot?

Question

i received a new alienware 14 inch laptop less than a month ago and realized that the cpu runs between 78-88 degrees Celsius while playing games.  Battlefield 4 runs between 83-88 continuously.  i was just wondering if this was normal or is this way too hot for this computer? the laptop is tilted to let the machine breathe.  in one gaming session on battlefield 4, i even opened a window (30 degrees Fahrenheit outside) for an hour which lowered average temps by 1 degree.  was not worth freezing my off in my room.  thanks for any advice!

BJFox · Accepted Answer

You really should consider repasting, but be careful with your choice. Most of the more popular thermal pastes perform too poorly to manage Haswell temperatures effectively. Haswell processors are an overheating mess due to their defective FIVR/SoC design.

I have been an IC Diamond fan for years, but now I am recommending using Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra. IC Diamond is now the second best product in my opinion. Liquid Ultra is really the only product available that can manage Haswell as well (pun intended) as we would like. Have a look at the outstanding results I have achieved:

Alienware 18 CPU Throttling | Dell Community Alienware Club

Severe Performance Comparison of IC Diamond, NT-H1 and Liquid Ultra

4930MX 4.5GHz Overclock with Managed Temperatures

DELL-Ravi Ch · Answer

Hi quigonjim,

That temperature seems to be high. I would suggest that you run the diagnostics on the computer by following the steps mentioned in the video below and check if there is any issue with the hardware on your system.

http://dell.to/164l6g4

quigonjim · Answer

thanks for the link.  i followed the instructions and went through all the tests.  everything passed.  cpu only reached up to 67 degrees.  still averages between 83-88 while playing battlefield 4 though.

DELL-Ravi Ch · Answer

Hi quigonjim,

I would suggest you to update the BIOS on the system for issue resolution. Please enter your service tag # on the link below, select the OS, then download the BIOS from BIOS section onto the system and install it.

http://dell.to/18r60nI

Please let me know if this helps.

quigonjim · Answer

updated and still running at the same temps.  at one point, the computer was running at 80-85 at idle with no apps open while i was eating dinner.  when i came downstairs, i heard the laptop's fans running at 100% and saw the temps.  i restarted the comp and now it idles at a normal 50-60 degrees.  not sure what happened there.  besides that, the laptop still runs a constant 83+ degrees under load.  for now i give the laptop a 10 min break time for every hour im gaming until i find a way to cool the laptop.  any other suggestions?

BJFox · Answer

It may need to have the heat sink thermal paste replaced.

quigonjim · Answer

Ahh ok.  What temps should I be aiming for?  i know 85+ is getting pretty close to boiling point temps and not sure if a CPU can withstand heat like a graphics card.  I've got a gt620 on my 50 dollar desktop that ran 95 degrees consistent for 2 years without the fan to test how well video cards deal with heat.  Still working so I'm hoping the CPU on this laptop is just as durable or better.   The gpu on the alienware barely reaches 60 degrees  under load so thats pretty awesome.  Then again it doesn't use as much power as a 300 watt card.

Tesla1856 · Answer

I've got a gt620 on my 50 dollar desktop that ran 95 degrees consistent for 2 years without the fan to test how well video cards deal with heat. Still working

Ya back in the day I had a nVidia 9800gt that ran hot like that (95c even with a working fan). Due to higher TJMax ... GPU chips can take that but I wouldn't subject a CPU chip to that.

85c is tolerable and I think it will start throttling-back around 95c. It will be interesting to hear what temps others are getting at max cpu/gpu load.

It's an older machine and thermal paste doesn't last forever (like BJFox says). Heat-Sinks might have also came lose or shifted. Fans slowing. Have you cleaned it out real good lately?

quigonjim · Answer

yup completely dust free.  i guess for now i'll have to pick up a cooling pad as it seems these laptops can not keep their own temps down. i ran battlefield 4 for about 5 hours and the temps really did not go above 88.  it stayed at an average of 85 degrees from the first 10 minutes until the last hour, peaking at 88 only sometimes.  i am really curious how much improvement a re-paste will give.

quigonjim · Answer

i think i'll be repasting then right away with the coollaboratory stuff.  those results are awesome.  now to get familiar with the insides of this laptop

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Alienware 14-R1 too hot?

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