Article Number: 000131532
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Description | The following article provides information about an issue with high CPU temperatures. Under either a heavy load or running the Alienware Command Center that measures the thermal temperature on these Alienware notebook systems. |
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Alienware 13 R3 | Alienware 15 R3/R4 | Alienware 17 R4/R5 | |||||
Alienware m15 | Alienware m15 R2 | Alienware m15 R3 | |||||
Alienware m17 | Alienware m17 R2 | Alienware m17 R3 | |||||
Alienware Area-51m | Alienware Area-51m R2 | ||||||
There are reports that the CPU temperature on Alienware 13 R3, 15 R3/R4, 17 R4/R5, m15, m15 R2, m15 R3 m17, m17 R2, m17 R3, Area-51m and Area-51m R2 notebooks are getting to a high temperature. Especially when under a heavy loading environment. The alert or warning (text in red) of the high CPU temperature may be seen when the Alienware Command Center (AWCC) measures the temperature. You could also use a third-party tool (e.g. HWInfo64) to measure the thermal temperature.
Update the BIOS -> driver -> firmware to the most recent revision from the Dell Support site
Configure the G-SYNC settings
Disable the NVidia G-SYNC (only applicable on G-SYNC supported models.)
Right click on the desktop
Select the Nvidia Control Panel
Click Set up G-SYNC in the left-hand side menu
Uncheck the box next to Enable G-SYNC
Click Apply
Restart the PC and enter the BIOS by tapping rapidly on the F2 key during POST
Navigate to the Advanced tab and select Performance Options and press the Enter key
Change the CPU Performance Mode to Enabled
Set the Core Over-Clocking Level to OC LV 3 and press the Enter key
Press the F10 key to save the changes and exit the BIOS
When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.
Dell SupportAssist > Hardware Checkup > CPU > CPU stress test
Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes
Performance Mode + Highest Level OC (If Applicable) | CPU Frequency |
---|---|
Intel Processor i9-8950HK in Overclocked level 3 mode | 2900 MHz~5000 MHz |
Intel Processor i7-8750H in performance mode | 2200 MHz~4100 MHz |
Intel Processor i5-8300H in performance mode | 2300 MHz~4000 MHz |
Monitor the CPU temperature on the Fusion page
The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃
When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be up to (≤) 95 ℃
Configure the Alienware Command Center
Open Alienware Command Center
Set the Active System Theme - Thermal as Performance Mode
Change the Active System Theme - Overclock to Overclock O2 (if applicable)
When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.
Dell SupportAssist > Hardware Checkup > CPU > CPU stress test
Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes
Performance Mode + Highest Level OC (If Applicable) | CPU Frequency |
---|---|
Intel Processor i9-8950HK in Overclocked level 3 mode | 2900 MHz~5000 MHz |
Intel Processor i7-8750H in performance mode | 2200 MHz~4100 MHz |
Intel Processor i5-8300H in performance mode | 2300 MHz~4000 MHz |
Monitor the CPU temperature on the Fusion page
The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃
When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be up to (≤) 95 ℃
Configure Alienware Command Center
Open Alienware Command Center
Set the Active System Theme - Thermal as Performance Mode
When the system boots up, using the preinstalled software Dell SupportAssist run the stress test.
Dell SupportAssist > Hardware Checkup > CPU > CPU stress test
Launch the Alienware Command Center and go to Fusion and monitor the CPU frequency. Ensure that the CPU frequency is within the range during the first 5 minutes under performance mode
Alienware m15, and m17
CPU Type | Base Frequency | Cool Mode | Performance Mode |
---|---|---|---|
Intel Processor i9-8950HK | 2900 MHz | 2900 MHz ~ 4800 MHz | 3100 MHz ~ 4800 MHz |
Intel Processor i7-8750H | 2200 MHz | 2200 MHz ~ 4100 MHz | 2600 MHz ~ 4100 MHz |
Intel Processor i5-8300H | 2300 MHz | 2300 MHz ~ 4000 MHz | 2700 MHz ~ 4100 MHz |
Alienware m15 R2, and m17 R2
CPU Model Name | Base Frequency | Performance mode | Cool mode |
---|---|---|---|
Intel Processor i9-9980HK | 2400 MHz | 3300 MHz~4800 MHz | 2600 MHz~4400 MHz |
Intel Processor i9-9880H | 2300 MHz | 3300 MHz~4400 MHz | 2600 MHz~4400 MHz |
Intel Processor i7-9750H | 2600 MHz | 3000 MHz~4000 MHz | 2600 MHz~4000 MHz |
Intel Processor i5-9300H | 2400 MHz | 3000 MHz~4000 MHz | 2600 MHz~4000 MHz |
Monitor the CPU temperature on the Fusion page
The CPU peak temperature should be less than or equal to (≤) 100 ℃
When under high stress, the system average temperature can be expected to be less than (≤) 100 ℃
CPU Performance Behavior on the Alienware m15 R3 and m17 R3
In general, the CPU frequency goes higher than Intel CPU’s high frequency under Performance mode and Balance mode.
CPU Model Name | i5-10300H | i7-10750H | i9-10980HK |
---|---|---|---|
# of Cores | 4 | 6 | 8 |
# of Threads | 8 | 12 | 16 |
Processor Base Frequency | 2.5 GHz | 2.6 GHz | 2.4 GHz |
There are five fan control modes in the Alienware m15 R3 and m17 R3
Full speed mode: the fan runs full speed to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard.
Performance mode: the fan runs aggressively to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard.
Balance mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be shorter.
Cool mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the GPU and GPU performance will be limit for better skin comfort and battery life.
Quiet mode: The fan runs in a more quiet level than Balance Mode. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be lower and shorter.
Verify Process
First verify using the ePSA diagnostics that the system has an overheating issue.
Set the test environment and plug the AC adapter to the test unit.
Open Alienware Command Center (AWCC).
Select the HOME Page on the AWCC main page.
Set the thermal mode to Performance.
Stress test the CPU (Dell support Assist: CPU stress).
Select the FUSION Page and Monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Performance Mode CPU will perform as the performance table.
Processor | Running Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test (CPU Portion, not including the Memory Portion), CPU speed should keep around the following speed in the first 5 minutes stress period. |
---|---|
CML i9-10980HK in Performance mode | 3900 MHz~4800 MHz |
CML i7-10750H in Performance mode | 3700 MHz~4600 MHz |
CML i5-10300H in Performance mode | 3700 MHz~4300 MHz |
Select the HOME page.
Change the Thermal Mode to Cool.
Stress the CPU (Dell support Assist: CPU stress).
Select the FUSION page.
Monitor CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Cool Mode.
CPU will perform as the performance table.
Processor | Running Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test (CPU Portion, not including the Memory Portion), CPU speed should keep around the following speed in the first 5 minutes stress period. |
---|---|
CML i9-10980HK in Performance mode | 3000 MHz~4800 MHz |
CML i7-10750H in Performance mode | 3000 MHz~4600 MHz |
CML i5-10300H in Performance mode | 3300 MHz~4300 MHz |
Open the Alienware Command Center to set performance mode on the Home Page.
Stress the CPU using Dell SupportAssist.
Common Questions
Why does the system Diagnostic Tool post High CPU temperatures in system idle mode?
In system "is idle", the system is not truly idle. There are still background tasks operating in high frequency and they will induce very short period high CPU temperatures ( <1 second). Then down to lower average temperatures.
Does the CPU get damaged when CPU temperatures reach 100 degree C?
No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100.
(Intel) Processors supply a method (Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS)) to report real time die temperatures below, equal to, or above the Tj(max). While the die should not normally run above the Tj (max), a temperature value above the Tj(max) may occur occasionally under normal operation. ( Tj(max)=100)
Why does the system Diagnostic Tool post High CPU temperatures in a Gaming Application or a Graphic stress Application?
Some Gaming or Graphic stress applications that are combined with "heavy CPU activity" will cause high CPU temperatures.
Is the CPU peak temperature under balance mode lower than under performance mode?
No. Under Balance Mode, the CPU can still boost to its highest frequency in short periods and induce high peak temperatures.
The CPU high peak temperature is expected when you set it to grab the best performance. No matter whether "performance mode", "balanced mode", "quiet mode", or "cool mode" is chosen.
CPU Performance Behavior on the Alienware Area-51m and Area-51m R2
In general, the CPU frequency keeps higher than Intel CPU’s base frequency.
Alienware Area 51m | Alienware Area 51m R2 | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CPU Model Name | i7-8700 | i9-9700k | i9-9900k | i7-10700 | i7-10700K | i7-10900 | i9-10900K |
# of Cores | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 10 |
# of Threads | 12 | 8 | 16 | 16 | 16 | 20 | 20 |
Processor Base Frequency | 3.2 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 3.6 GHz | 2.9 GHz | 3.8 GHz | 2.8 GHz | 3.7 GHz |
There are five fan control modes in the Alienware Area-51m and Area-51m R2
Performance mode: the fan runs aggressively to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard.
Balance mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be shorter.
Cool mode: The fan runs in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the GPU and GPU performance will be limit for better skin comfort and battery life.
Quiet mode: The fan runs in a more quiet level than Balance Mode. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be lower and shorter.
Full speed mode: the fan runs full speed to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer period of time. Noticeable fan sound can be heard.
Verify Process
First verify with ePSA that the system has an overheating issue
Set the test environment and plug an AC adapter to the test unit
Open the Alienware Command Center (AWCC)
Select the HOME Page on the AWCC Main Page
Set the Thermal Mode to Performance
Stress test the CPU (Dell supportAssist: CPU stress)
Stress Test SupportAssist Procedure
Select the FUSION Page
Monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Performance Mode
The CPU average temperature will stay high and keep the Operating Frequency higher than the CPU Base Frequency + 400 MHz
Select the HOME Page
Change the Thermal Mode to Cool
Stress test the CPU (Dell SupportAssist: CPU stress) again
Select the FUSION Page
Monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature of Cool Mode
Reference Setting:
Open the Alienware Command Center to set performance mode on the HOME Page.
Set the Active System thermal mode to Performance Mode
Stress the CPU using Dell support assist
Navigate through the Dell SupportAssist application to troubleshooting -> checkup -> CPU -> run the stress test:
Read the temperature on the FUSION Window
CPU temperature will be no greater than 100 degree C (Performance Mode)
CPU average temperature will be no greater than 99 degree C (Cool Mode)
Common Questions
Why does the system Diagnostic Tool post High CPU temperatures in system idle mode?
In system "is idle", the system is not truly idle. There are still background tasks operating in high frequency and they will induce very short period high CPU temperatures ( <1 second). Then down to lower average temperatures.
Does the CPU get damaged when CPU temperatures reach 100 degree C?
No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100.
(Intel) Processors supply a method (Digital Thermal Sensor (DTS)) to report real time die temperatures below, equal to, or above the Tj(max). While the die should not normally run above the Tj (max), a temperature value above the Tj(max) may occur occasionally under normal operation. ( Tj(max)=100)
Why does the system Diagnostic Tool post High CPU temperatures in a Gaming Application or a Graphic stress Application?
Some Gaming or Graphic stress applications that are combined with "heavy CPU activity" will cause high CPU temperatures.
Is the CPU peak temperature under balance mode lower than under performance mode?
No. Under Balance Mode, the CPU can still boost to its highest frequency in short periods and induce high peak temperatures.
The CPU high peak temperature is expected when you set it to grab the best performance no matter whether "performance mode", "balanced mode", "quiet mode", or "cool mode" is chosen.
The coffeelake processor supports a higher clock rate than kabylake or older processors. That means these systems noticeably generate more heat compared to any previous generation of systems. Because of this Dell engineering has designed the system to tolerate higher temperatures, and the new specifications and dispatch guidance are:
If the Alienware Command Center still reports a CPU peak temperature above (>) 100 ℃, you should contact technical support for further help. You can get contact details on the link below:
Be aware that if you find that none of the information above has affected or been responsible for your issue. The mode set in your Thermal User Profile can also affect the fan noise and the system thermal temperature. Check the mode types below and make sure you have the mode set that works for you enabled.
All Models:
Alienware m15 R3, m17 R3, and Area-51m R2:
Alienware 13 R3, Alienware 15 R3, Alienware 15 R4, Alienware 17 R4, Alienware 17 R5, Alienware m15, Alienware m15 R2, Alienware m17, Alienware m17 R2, Alienware Area-51m
21 Feb 2021
6
Solution