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10011
January 21st, 2013 05:00
M14x GPU Issue, Should I be worried?
I have a M14xR1 with i7 2630 and the 3GB 555m. I am running the nVidia 310.90 drivers.
I play Battlefield 3 quite a bit and the temperatures get quite high. The CPU hits the high 90s (and throttles back from boosting) and the GPU mid to high 80s (no throttling observed). Without turbo boost (CPU at 99% max), the CPU is stable (2ghz) with temps in the low 90s. I use the machine on a desk with a laptop cooler (ThermalTake Massive 14).
I have had a few graphical glitches. Once the geometry started glitched but restarting the game fixed that. Last week there was another glitch with the geometry but this resulted in the machine rebooting.
This morning I woke it from hibernation and windows blue screened (after about 30s). After it restarted, I noticed that it was using the integrated GPU for games and the nVidia control panel couldn't find the discrete GPU. Another soft restart and the hardware was still not showing. A full shut down and power off before rebooting fixed the problem and I have rebooting a few more times to check.
Should I be immediately concerned with this, or should I see if it happens again? Is the GPU about to fail on me and am I looking at a repair/reball job?
I have recently (in the last few weeks) upgraded the memory in the machine to a 8GB set of Kingston HyperX. I did previously try using an 8GB set of Corsair Vengeance memory but I was having stability issues. The machine would suddenly reboot while under load. However, the new memory seems stable enough.
Thanks,
DELL-Pablo R
158 Posts
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January 21st, 2013 08:00
Those temps are higher than you would like them to be. Please follow the steps in this article to ensure a proper ventilation. If you still notice the GPU or CPU reaching the 90C bar while you're gaming. It would be better to repaste the system.
Also, make sure you're white-listing the games you want to run on discrete graphics for a better performance.
G.Notman
9 Posts
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January 21st, 2013 10:00
I use the laptop on a hard surface with a fan cooler under it, and I do have the Optimus set to use the correct GPU for the games I play.
I was considering getting it repasted as the temperatures seemed quite high.
I think I will now get the GPU reballed and repasted before it fails.
I've found a professional service who will do it for me and the cost of the reball is only a bit more than a repaste job.
DELL-Pablo R
158 Posts
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January 23rd, 2013 14:00
Good idea, make sure they know what they're doing.
If you send us the service tag, full name, contact info and the link to this thread to awsocialmedia@dell.com we can also take a look at your case.
G.Notman
9 Posts
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January 23rd, 2013 17:00
Thanks, but its out of warranty and I sent it off today.
I spoke with the guy on the phone before hand and he seemed very knowledgeable and experienced.
I originally thought the temperatures I reported above were normal for the model, as I was running it with a very high load.
If it is of interest to anyone, I will report the new temperatures after the repaste.
DELL-Pablo R
158 Posts
0
January 25th, 2013 07:00
Thanks for the update.
Neither the CPU nor GPU should reach the 90C bar. After they repaste your system, clean the vents regularly with a can of compressed air and always game with the system on a flat surface. Simple tips to keep the temps down.
G.Notman
9 Posts
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January 31st, 2013 14:00
Got the machine back today and I've run a few tests.
GPU idle ~43c.
GPU under full load maxes out a 64-65c. (Was hitting 89c)
CPU idle ~47c.
CPU (without TB) runs in the high 70s while gaming (Playing Battlefield 3). (Was running in the low 90s).
CPU (at max and constant TB) runs in the high 80s with an occasional reading hitting the low 90s.
Half hour average ~85c.
25c reduction on the GPU.
15c reduction on CPU without TB.
I am unable to determine the difference with TB as it was throttling the clock speeds before.
CPU can now maintain max TB while gaming.
Prime95 & Furmark get similar readings at full load.
I've tried running them both at the same time.
However, I started to see the CPU clock being throttled.
Perhaps I will see a bit more improvement on the CPU after the paste has fully cured?