[SOLVED] CPU reaches very high temps at low CPU usage (around 40%)

[Moe1996]

I recently bought a used laptop from a friend of mine and installed a SSD into it. I have a i7-4720HQ @2.60Ghz (8 CPUs). Then i tried launching CS:GO and initially it runs well but then the CPU starts to overheat and the fps crashes by alot (see the images). Ive tried other games & have experienced the same problem
What might be the issue here?

https://imgur.com/a/8b47Ata

View: https://imgur.com/a/8b47Ata

https://imgur.com/a/Xw55vtL

View: https://imgur.com/a/Xw55vtL

 

[raunakFIX]

There could be a lot of reasons as to why your CPU is heating this much. But I would say that the cooling isn't happening as fast or as effectively as it should be.
You say that it's a used laptop, so maybe try applying a good thermal paste to your CPU and GPU. This should drop the temperatures by at least 5-10C if not more.

 

[Moe1996]

There could be a lot of reasons as to why your CPU is heating this much. But I would say that the cooling isn't happening as fast or as effectively as it should be.
You say that it's a used laptop, so maybe try applying a good thermal paste to your CPU and GPU. This should drop the temperatures by at least 5-10C if not more.

Thanks, what about laptop cooling pads are those safe to use & would one fix my problem?

 

[Nine Layer Nige]

If you are brave enough to take the laptop apart (maybe just the back panel needs removing), clean out the cooling fan and heatsink fins. Probably clogged with dust.
Also, its a laptop not a gaming pc, so you may have to lower your expectations.

 

[raunakFIX]

Thanks, what about laptop cooling pads are those safe to use & would one fix my problem?

Cooling pads won't make as much of a difference as the internal fan of your laptop will. Cooling pad will lower the temperatures only by 5-10 degrees and that too isn't guaranteed. Seeing that your internal cooling system isn't working effectively at all, you will need to invest in a very good cooling pad, with 3 fans, high rpm. I don't recommend it. I suggest that you open the back panel of your laptop, clean the dust and the thermal paste, reapply the thermal paste(good one) and it should be fine. Fix your internal cooling system first, that is really important. Your CPU temperature is quite high at 96 deg. PROCHOT limit is 100C.

 

[uWebb429]

@Moe1996 - What laptop model did you buy? Many Dell laptops from this era have a problem with BD PROCHOT throttling. This was a problem even when these laptops were brand new and this problem was never fixed.

Try running ThrottleStop, open up the Limit Reasons window and see if BD PROCHOT is being triggered.

If your laptop does have this problem, try clearing the BD PROCHOT box on the main ThrottleStop screen.

Intel CPUs are designed to run at full speed right up until they reach 100°C. Any throttling before 100°C is almost always because a laptop manufacturer has engineered a poorly thought out throttling scheme.

Your first screenshot seems to confirm this. When a CPU is at 83°C, it should not be running at 798 MHz. I have seen enough laptops with this problem to be 99% certain that this is a BD PROCHOT throttling issue. Post some pictures of ThrottleStop if you need help understanding this issue.

Your CPU is also running too hot so ultimately, you will need to take it apart and clean it out. For many laptops, this is easier than you think. Watch some YouTube videos to learn more.