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Laptop Heat and low fps

Forum Index > Tech Support
 
 MasterKang   United States. May 30 2012 12:08. Posts 1372
Profile # 
In the past couple of days, my laptop has been getting very hot quickly. It's not so hot that I can't put my hand on it but it gets hot a lot faster than it usually does. Also, I've been frequently experiencing really big lag spikes while playing on ladder and such. I thought this was maybe because I left it on for basically the whole day on Saturday to watch the Redbull event.

While playing, I don't have any other programs running at all. All my settings are on low and always have been. I never had this kind of lag before during my games. can anyone think of a reason why there's so much lag all of a sudden? If so, can someone come up with a solution for me?
Players: MMA, Boxer, Ryung, Life, TaeJa, Squirtle, Brown, Dark,
Old Post

 
 Caseyclysm   United States. May 30 2012 12:28. Posts 104
Profile # 
You probably need to use compressed air to clean your fan(s). The easiest way is to simply use it from the outside, but you could take it apart to clean it more thoroughly.
Last edit: 2012-05-30 12:29:11
“You cannot teach a man anything; you can only help him discover it in himself.” -Galileo Galilei
Old Post

 
 ZeromuS   Canada. May 30 2012 12:52. Posts 8288
Profile Blog # 
It could also be the thermal paste needing to be replaced. I need to send my laptop in for service for a thorough cleaning and also for the thermal paste to be replaced. I'm having the same issues

I've taken it apart down to the motherboard but I couldnt get to the CPU and I don't want to mess with removing the motherboard etc etc for this laptop when I can just send it in.
uOttawa SC2 Club/CSL Team join@uostarcraft.com | Will we see a hatchery this game? - Tasteless (Game 2 Naniwa vs. Leenock MLG winter Arena)
Old Post

 
 Zorgon   United States. May 30 2012 12:54. Posts 162
Profile # 

On May 30 2012 12:52 ZeromuS wrote:
+ Show Spoiler +


Your laptop's manufacturer doesn't care that you've had it apart and will still service it?
Old Post

 
 ZeromuS   Canada. May 30 2012 12:56. Posts 8288
Profile Blog # 

On May 30 2012 12:54 Zorgon wrote:

Show nested quote +



Your laptop's manufacturer doesn't care that you've had it apart and will still service it?


See its not a manufacturer warranty, and I had it opened by the service people instead of fully sending it in. They were kind enough to teach me how to do it if I should need to do it in the future. There are no ways to know that it was opened by the in store service people which they often do or by me. As a note, I did it at work and I work at a retailer that would otherwise service my stuff.

They however do not have the means to deal with the thermal paste and potential need to replace the heatsink etc etc.

Of course, I am sure you understand why I am being vague

This being said, there really is no way to know that it was opened by anyone who is or is not certified so long as you don't lose parts, or break the body of the laptop casing.
Last edit: 2012-05-30 12:58:26
uOttawa SC2 Club/CSL Team join@uostarcraft.com | Will we see a hatchery this game? - Tasteless (Game 2 Naniwa vs. Leenock MLG winter Arena)
Old Post

 
 TheToast   United States. May 30 2012 14:18. Posts 4804
Profile Blog # 

On May 30 2012 12:52 ZeromuS wrote:
It could also be the thermal paste needing to be replaced. I need to send my laptop in for service for a thorough cleaning and also for the thermal paste to be replaced. I'm having the same issues

I've taken it apart down to the motherboard but I couldnt get to the CPU and I don't want to mess with removing the motherboard etc etc for this laptop when I can just send it in.


Okay, we need to stop advising everyone to "replace the thermal paste" every time they have temperature issues. For starters, in the short term it's actually going to make temps worse. All thermal compound has a break in period during which it slowly becomes more effective as the molecules realign through several cycles of heating and cooling. Some cheaper brands are rated with a break in period in excess of 200 hours of the PC being turned on. Second, the thermal compound is only there to fill in the tiny near microscopic gaps in the metal and between the heatsink and CPU/GPU, giving it more surface area for heat transfer and therefore improving temps. It's not some magical good that cools CPUs by itself. Over long periods of time, yes cheaper thermal compound may break down and need replacing, but we're talking potentially years here. And higher end stuff pretty much can last forever.

Another thing, there's really nothing to clean inside as there is no airflow through the unit. The only place there is any airflow, and therefore and dust, is in the fan/heatsink. This can usually be cleaned pretty well with a can of air and a paperclip (carefully, with power off). You might be able to get a little bit more dust by opening the thing, but it's not worth it given how easy it is to damage stuff. Most HP and Dells I've seen use small fragile ribbon cables that if unplugged can be nearly impossible to get plugged back in without damaging them. It's just an all around bad idea with no potential benefits.

@ OP: without any real information about your laptop model, room temps, or system temps, it's really hard to recommend anything. However overheating is a standard problem with just about every laptop on the market, with the exception of really high end products like Alienware. Try cleaning the heatsink from the outside of the case. If the room is really warm (like it tends to be in summer) that can be enough to push many laptops over the edge in terms of temps. Easiest solution that normally helps quite a bit is to prop the back of the laptop up between a quarter to a half of an inch to increase airflow underneither. Bottle caps or a few quarters work well for this. Most cooling pads are junk, though a few can help lower termps by 6-8 degrees. Though a small desk fan can accomplish nearly the same thing.
I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.
Old Post

 
 HomeWorld   Romania. May 30 2012 17:40. Posts 561
Profile # 
Or it's a case of heatpipe failure ( quite common, judging by the fact that it started heating recently). Either way, the OP must go to an authorized service provider.
Old Post

 
 Arkaridge   Australia. May 30 2012 23:36. Posts 48
Profile # 
It's most likely dust clogging up fans and heatsink. I've known several people who complain about drop in performance and heat issues, only to find that the heatsink and fan were completely blocked up. I'd suggest looking at the exhust side of your laptop and check if there is any noticable dust visable, if there is, there is likely heaps more deeper inside.

In general, it's good to maintain the heatsink and fan by cleaning them out occasionally. It'll keep the notebook running as cool as possible and prevent throttling of cpu (which would be the cause of drops in performance).

hope that helps
Old Post

 
 MasterKang   United States. May 31 2012 07:43. Posts 1372
Profile # 
thanks for all the tips appreciate it!
Players: MMA, Boxer, Ryung, Life, TaeJa, Squirtle, Brown, Dark,
Old Post

 
 MasterKang   United States. May 31 2012 09:57. Posts 1372
Profile # 

On May 30 2012 14:18 TheToast wrote:

Show nested quote +



Okay, we need to stop advising everyone to "replace the thermal paste" every time they have temperature issues. For starters, in the short term it's actually going to make temps worse. All thermal compound has a break in period during which it slowly becomes more effective as the molecules realign through several cycles of heating and cooling. Some cheaper brands are rated with a break in period in excess of 200 hours of the PC being turned on. Second, the thermal compound is only there to fill in the tiny near microscopic gaps in the metal and between the heatsink and CPU/GPU, giving it more surface area for heat transfer and therefore improving temps. It's not some magical good that cools CPUs by itself. Over long periods of time, yes cheaper thermal compound may break down and need replacing, but we're talking potentially years here. And higher end stuff pretty much can last forever.

Another thing, there's really nothing to clean inside as there is no airflow through the unit. The only place there is any airflow, and therefore and dust, is in the fan/heatsink. This can usually be cleaned pretty well with a can of air and a paperclip (carefully, with power off). You might be able to get a little bit more dust by opening the thing, but it's not worth it given how easy it is to damage stuff. Most HP and Dells I've seen use small fragile ribbon cables that if unplugged can be nearly impossible to get plugged back in without damaging them. It's just an all around bad idea with no potential benefits.

@ OP: without any real information about your laptop model, room temps, or system temps, it's really hard to recommend anything. However overheating is a standard problem with just about every laptop on the market, with the exception of really high end products like Alienware. Try cleaning the heatsink from the outside of the case. If the room is really warm (like it tends to be in summer) that can be enough to push many laptops over the edge in terms of temps. Easiest solution that normally helps quite a bit is to prop the back of the laptop up between a quarter to a half of an inch to increase airflow underneither. Bottle caps or a few quarters work well for this. Most cooling pads are junk, though a few can help lower termps by 6-8 degrees. Though a small desk fan can accomplish nearly the same thing.



sorry could you elaborate on your can of air and paperclip solution? I'd really rather just clean my fan externally and avoid waiting for it to get sent out and shipped back.
Players: MMA, Boxer, Ryung, Life, TaeJa, Squirtle, Brown, Dark,
Old Post

 
 TheToast   United States. May 31 2012 22:34. Posts 4804
Profile Blog # 

On May 31 2012 09:57 MasterKang wrote:

Show nested quote +



sorry could you elaborate on your can of air and paperclip solution? I'd really rather just clean my fan externally and avoid waiting for it to get sent out and shipped back.



Through the vent on the bottom of the laptop you should be able to see the fan/heatsink unit. Basically the fan sits between two sets of metal fins which are connected to copper pipes from the GPU/CPU. The fans dissipate the heat from these pipes, and the fan blows air over the top of them to carry the heat away. If dust from the surroundings gets between these small and narrow fins, it can reduce the ability for them to cool effectively as less air is getting moved over them. So you want to try to keep them as dust free as possible.

You can do a reasonably good job of this by blasting the area out with compressed air and using a bent paperclip to clean out in between the fins on the heatsink. It won't be perfect, but you should be able to get most of it out with some effort.

Though unless it is really dusty, don't expect it to magically improve temps. If the room temperature is over 80F, your laptop is probably going to run into heat issues and there may not be too much you can do about it. Proping up the rear of the unit like I suggested before can help a lot as well though.
I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.
Old Post

 
 MasterKang   United States. June 01 2012 06:25. Posts 1372
Profile # 

On May 31 2012 22:34 TheToast wrote:

Show nested quote +



Through the vent on the bottom of the laptop you should be able to see the fan/heatsink unit. Basically the fan sits between two sets of metal fins which are connected to copper pipes from the GPU/CPU. The fans dissipate the heat from these pipes, and the fan blows air over the top of them to carry the heat away. If dust from the surroundings gets between these small and narrow fins, it can reduce the ability for them to cool effectively as less air is getting moved over them. So you want to try to keep them as dust free as possible.

You can do a reasonably good job of this by blasting the area out with compressed air and using a bent paperclip to clean out in between the fins on the heatsink. It won't be perfect, but you should be able to get most of it out with some effort.

Though unless it is really dusty, don't expect it to magically improve temps. If the room temperature is over 80F, your laptop is probably going to run into heat issues and there may not be too much you can do about it. Proping up the rear of the unit like I suggested before can help a lot as well though.


My house is usually at a cool 60-70 degrees so that's definitely not the problem. I'll definitely try using the paper clip but how would you use compressed air? In what form do you get that kind of thing
Players: MMA, Boxer, Ryung, Life, TaeJa, Squirtle, Brown, Dark,
Old Post

 
 TheToast   United States. June 01 2012 06:32. Posts 4804
Profile Blog # 

On June 01 2012 06:25 MasterKang wrote:

Show nested quote +



My house is usually at a cool 60-70 degrees so that's definitely not the problem. I'll definitely try using the paper clip but how would you use compressed air? In what form do you get that kind of thing


They sell cans of that duster stuff in just about every computer, electronics, and hardware store. Hold the can perfectly level, and blast some short bursts, quick bursts of air into the bottom vent, angling the laptop so the air blows back out the side vent. You want to push the dust out, not just blow it around.
I like the way the walls go out. Gives you an open feeling. Firefly's a good design. People don't appreciate the substance of things. Objects in space. People miss out on what's solid.
Old Post

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