CPU Temperature while playing Battlefield 3

[Raunak Singh]

I bought my laptop 2-3 months ago, but I started playing high-end games recently.
Whenever I play Battlefield 3 (single player, at 1366x768 resolution), my CPU's core temperatures reach 95-100 C within 15 minutes even on the lowest settings. Although, it stays cool when not playing BF3 ( around 55-60 C for both cores ).
I use CoreTemp and RealTemp to record the temperatures.
My laptop is this - http://goo.gl/YBcVO3

It's specs are -:

- i3 3120M (2.50GHz, 3MB L3 Cache)
- AMD Radeon HD 8750 - 1GB gDDR3 (PowerExpress) + Intel HD 4000 dynamic switchable graphics
- 4GB DDR3 at 1,600MHz.

My question is that is it normal for this processor?? [ It's TJMax = 105 C ]

NOTE - I always play after putting my laptop on a table, at some elevation.

 

[KillerGamer]

For a laptop with an i3 I'd say it's normal. Laptops aren't good for gaming and are prone to overheating regardless of what setup you have.

 

[rolandzhang3]

I don't think it's normal at all, those temperatures are the point where the thing starts throttling

Are you placing your laptop on a surface which blocks the vents? it's always best to use a laptop on a hard flat surface

 

[Raunak Singh]

I place my laptop on a wooden table and put something on the 4 corners below the laptop to keep it at some height.

 

[rolandzhang3]

That doesn't sound right :S, unless one of the fans in the laptop are dying you shouldn't be seeing those temperatures at all

 

[Raunak Singh]

For a laptop with an i3 I'd say it's normal. Laptops aren't good for gaming and are prone to overheating regardless of what setup you have.

So is it okay considering I want to play for atleast 45 minutes - 1 hour at a stretch ??

 

[KillerGamer]

I place my laptop on a wooden table and put something on the 4 corners below the laptop to keep it at some height.

Looking at your username, I'd say you are from India (North to be precise). Pardon me if you aren't, but if you are then that is likely to be the main reason for the high temperatures. India is a place where temperatures are usually high (Not now as it's kind of cold now). You may want to invest in a laptop cooling pad.

 

[KillerGamer]

I place my laptop on a wooden table and put something on the 4 corners below the laptop to keep it at some height.

Looking at your username, I'd say you are from India (North to be precise). Pardon me if you aren't, but if you are then that is likely to be the main reason for the high temperatures. India is a place where temperatures are usually high (Not now as it's kind of cold now). You may want to invest in a laptop cooling pad.

 

[Raunak Singh]

That doesn't sound right :S, unless one of the fans in the laptop are dying you shouldn't be seeing those temperatures at all

But the core temperatures reach normal temperatures (~ 55-60 C) soon (~ 10 minutes) after I quit BF 3.
If the fans were'nt working, then how come the temperatures came down so fast??

 

[rolandzhang3]

Because it's not under the same load as it did when gaming

 

[KillerGamer]

That doesn't sound right :S, unless one of the fans in the laptop are dying you shouldn't be seeing those temperatures at all

But the core temperatures reach normal temperatures (~ 55-60 C) soon (~ 10 minutes) after I quit BF 3.
If the fans were'nt working, then how come the temperatures came down so fast??

Because the processor is under too much load. An i3 isn't a good processor for gaming,

 

[Raunak Singh]

Looking at your username, I'd say you are from India (North to be precise). Pardon me if you aren't, but if you are then that is likely to be the main reason for the high temperatures. India is a place where temperatures are usually high (Not now as it's kind of cold now). You may want to invest in a laptop cooling pad.[/quotemsg]

That's right! I am an Indian. 😀
So is a cooling pad effective in bringing down the temperatures to 70-80 C ?
If yes, then could you please suggest an effective ( and not too costly ) cooling pad for my laptop ( 15.6 '' ).

 

[rolandzhang3]

It'll shave off a few degrees

http://www.flipkart.com/laptop-accessories/cooling-pads-cooling-stands/pr?p%5B%5D=sort%3Dprice_asc&sid=6bo%2Cai3%2C59n&q=laptop+cooling&ref=90e2b3c6-a663-4b02-91ce-b8550aa2fcfd

i3s aren't that bad, the desktop i3 4130 won't hold back anything under a 760/7950 too much either

55-60C at idle is quite unusual as well, even if you live in an extremely hot area your CPU wouldn't be idling much above 45C at the most

I'd send an email to Samsung and enquire them about this while the laptop is still under warranty, buying a cooling pad will shave off a few degrees too

 

[KillerGamer]

Looking at your username, I'd say you are from India (North to be precise). Pardon me if you aren't, but if you are then that is likely to be the main reason for the high temperatures. India is a place where temperatures are usually high (Not now as it's kind of cold now). You may want to invest in a laptop cooling pad.

That's right! I am an Indian. 😀
So is a cooling pad effective in bringing down the temperatures to 70-80 C ?
If yes, then could you please suggest an effective ( and not too costly ) cooling pad for my laptop ( 15.6 '' ).[/quotemsg]

I don't have any experiences with cooling pads. The temperature change won't be that drastic. You can search in local shops for something good. Also, go with a good brand. I wouldn't suggest playing BF3 as it is just too demanding for a laptop. If you like FPS games then look at other games which are older and won't stress out your laptop so much.

 

[Raunak Singh]

It'll shave off a few degrees

http://www.flipkart.com/laptop-accessories/cooling-pads-cooling-stands/pr?p%5B%5D=sort%3Dprice_asc&sid=6bo%2Cai3%2C59n&q=laptop+cooling&ref=90e2b3c6-a663-4b02-91ce-b8550aa2fcfd

i3s aren't that bad, the desktop i3 4130 won't hold back anything under a 760/7950 too much either

55-60C at idle is quite unusual as well, even if you live in an extremely hot area your CPU wouldn't be idling much above 45C at the most

I'd send an email to Samsung and enquire them about this while the laptop is still under warranty, buying a cooling pad will shave off a few degrees too

Since my laptop size is 15.6 '' , should I buy cooling pad compatible with 15.6'' only or a little larger one? (16'' or 17'') [ I read somewhere that the cooling pad should be a little larger but I have no idea about them ]
And also, what should be the minimum RPM it must have?

 

[rolandzhang3]

It'd probably best to buy one that's a perfect fit with your laptop

If that doesn't lower temperatures much then your best bet would be to ask Samsung, that laptop is running much hotter than it should, especially for a relatively new one

 

[cats_Paw]

You are in a rahter though spot. A pad wont drop temperatures more then maybe 8 C.
To get it working safe you would need not only a cooling pad, but also to replace the thermal paste on the CPU, and set your cooling fan at a "minimum" speed of 60%

As far as i see it, its rather normal that the Laptop gets that hot.

Most laptops have very weak cooling, and tests for stability are done in "perfect" conditions.

I have a gaming laptop with GREAT cooling and it gets to 86 C on the CPU when gaming, and 72 C after a thermal paste exchange and a cooling pad, So your temperatures are rather understandable, especially in a hot environment.

 

[cats_Paw]

If you are going to buy a cooling pad, dont look at information like RPM or size that much, but at reviews from users.
There are pads that are totally useless, even ADDING temperature rather than taking it away (im not kidding here, i tested it myself).

Personally i use a thermaltake massive LX and its great. Other pads that i tested with good results:

Tacens Stand (unfortunatelly out of production by now)

Cooler Master CM storm (unfortunatelly needs a power socket).

 

[KillerGamer]

As cats_Paw suggested, you may want to look at replacing the thermal paste. If you can't do it then you can ask some local repair guy. Also, try and shoot Samsung an email and tell them about your overheating. You can also visit a service center. be careful and check with them if changing the thermal paste will void the warranty as an unauthorized person may have to open the laptop.