17 R4, Overheating CPU All Gaming in basic settings

Hi @Steiney  welcome to this user to user discussion forum. This is not Dell Support. 

Please download and run the Intel Processor Diagnostic Tool.  

Does this Alienware Support video help?

Hint: use shift + windows + s key combination to take and save a Snip from your screen. 

I downloaded the software and tested. everything has passed. Looks as though it may be a heat sink issue? New Thermal paste most likely. I do have liquid metal as a thermal bond and within the first year worked amazingly and saw a 20 degree diff. but now things are real bad and may have broken down or something has happened in that area.

Hi @Steiney  thank you for sharing update that 17 R4 system has the "reseat the memory message" and has joined other users [Here]. Evidently a solution is available for the 17 R4 system. Please try this solution, it might work on your system. 

I almost forgot!!!! I have had to reset to factory and after I have had "pic enclosed" pop up on start up. wondering if this may be playing a small part in my overheating issue.

Hi @Steiney  thank you for sharing that liquid metal has been used on the 17 R4 system. Liquid Metal is a short term gain and a long term problem. There is already good thermal paste beneath the lid of the CPU and the CPU is sealed for good reason. Dell advocates thermal paste for the 17 R4.  

Enthusiasts have installed Silicon Lottery CPUs that replace the thermal paste inside Intel CPUs with liquid metal Thermal Grizzly Condoctonaut. These CPUs are intended to be used for extreme gaming on high performance systems that have a very short life of less than a year. 

There are excellent thermal pastes to provide the necessary very thin thermal bond between the CPU lid and the cooling system. The essence of which is to match the orientation of the system cooling pad with that of the CPU lid and fill that small air gap (everything else is irrelevant if this is not achieved). 

Liquid Metal is a short term gain and a long term problem because it is mobile, the air gap will reappear and CPU overheating will return. Consequently the liquid metal bond must be constantly reapplied. The plus is that the liquid metal will permanently bond interstitially with the surface of the system's copper cooling pad. The first reapplication of Liquid Metal is required in less than six months, thereafter the frequency gets slightly longer, but it is always a never ending requirement. 

You must decide if the continuing reapplication of Liquid Metal is the right solution for your 17 R4 system. There is always the constant danger that the mobile electrically conductive Liquid Metal will short out and destroy the system board. 

Thank you for your speedy reply! I was off for a while due to resetting the system back to factory, and personal stuff. All good. Before I had the LM installed on my system my temps were what they are now. I figured what did I have to loose and after asking around and reading a couple articles, I decided to use LM. Not once did anyone tell me the LM would have to be reapplied every 6 mos. Bummer. Wish I knew that then. I will try Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Thermal Grease this time and I hope temps will get lower. System keeps throttling and If I continue having issues I will just sell the system and go with another Brand Model ect.. It seems as though having a laptop has its perks with portability but I have yet to find one that has engineered a proper heatsink. Thank you for your help!

Hi @Steiney  thank you for sharing update. 

The current Dell Laptops have the Intel CPU that is designed for Desktops. Intel is regretting their decision because other manufactures have lower power/heat CPUs that are specifically designed for slim laptops. If you are going to stick with an Intel CPU, wait for the 11th generation gaming Intel CPUs that will appear at the year end. I will be waiting for the 12th Generation gaming CPU that Intel will be commercially be forced to create, to regain market leader status and their reputation. 

I have the exact same problem, suddenly the PC overheats. This wasn't happening before, at the beginning I tough it may be a heat sink or thermal paste problem. But now I'm starting to believe is something with drivers, like a 'turbo' 'boost' option causing the GPU to overheat.