Question Laptop CPU Issue!!

[FormidableRed]

Hello,

So, a fair few years ago I bought myself a laptop from PC Specialist, but shortly after I got myself a Desktop and that has been what I've used since, the laptop was only used for 1/2 years at most as my daily runner.

Needed a portable unit for some work and a little gaming so I got it back out.. However, when I boot it up, the CPU can run anywhere between 60c/80c, but it doesn't really stay at a temp, it seems to fluctuate between those numbers, the highest I've seen it over the past 3/4 days of using it is around 90c, but that was while running Civ V, but for the majority with Civ open it's running at 75c/80c, is that too high?

With nothing running, it seems to be more at the 60c/70c mark, again, with nothing running that seems a bit too high to me?

Windows 10
i7 363QM @ 2.40GHz (turbo 3.40GHz)
8GB RAM
GT 654M

I've opened up the bottom and cleaned the dust from around the fans etc, but I didn't expect that to do much anyway.. Is new Thermal Paste the only option to try and keep the temp down? Because with a laptop I'm not 100% confident on doing it.. Ha.

But I guess my overall question is: Is the 80c/90c temps I'm getting with a game open, too high?

 

[Grobe]

What does task manager say about CPU usage and what processes that use most cpu resource?

 

[SamirD]

Laptops generally run much hotter than their desktop brothers. I would check the manufacturer's service manual for what the correct temps should be to see if it is within spec.

Otherwise yes, better paste, flooring the fan, and an external lap cooler are all ways to cool it more.

 

[Zizo007]

My 4720HQ always runs 85-90C in games.
All laptops are like that.
According to Intel, up to 100C is safe where the processor will downclock to lower temps.

 

[Ceclan007]

Today I just changed my thermal paste and I can see the improvement. Since the old paste wasn't paste anymore,I had to stay and clean that rock like 20 minutes with some Q-tips and rubbing alcohol. It's not hard at all. All you need is Patience, Care and A LOT of attention and just to remember to put everything back as it was before. If you put too much it's okay. You can clean it off very easy and even if you don't , it won't hurt anything if the thermal paste is not electric conductive. Today I just done for the first time this. If you plan to do it, the single phase that will make you give up is when you have to take of the heat sink because the heatsink sometimes sticks to the processor because of the thermal paste being very dry and yea all you need in that moment is just to pull of the heatsink from all corners with very little force,slowly. It won't come off with the processor don't be afraid. And don't put to little. Better to put more than needed than less in this case. After I changed it I could browse the interned and watch youtube with around 59C instead of 70-75C.Gaming from 85-95C without turbo boost to 80-85C and rarely 90C with turbo boost. I say it's worth it.

 

[Ceclan007]

And every laptop got an average of temps,some have an average of 60-70C maximum 80-90C and others have on average 80-90C and even 95C. If your laptop was running cooler than now,yea, changing thermal paste would be an option. Or check if your fan is running properly.

 

[Zizo007]

Some laptops like my MSI have a key above the keyboard to boost fan speed and lower temps.

 

[FormidableRed]

What does task manager say about CPU usage and what processes that use most cpu resource?

So I booted up the laptop about 10 minutes ago, left it to loads/set up properly etc, currently idle temp is 60c and there is between 3%/15% CPU useage, 32% memory and disk is anywhere from 4% to 96%...

That is without loading Chrome or Firefox, Steam or any games - Seemingly, the issue seems to happen when I put any sort of stress on the system, the temp rises and then when I close the program the temp doesn't seem to settle. Once it reaches the 70c/90c, even if I close any browsers/games, it doesn't go below that.

 

[FormidableRed]

Laptops generally run much hotter than their desktop brothers. I would check the manufacturer's service manual for what the correct temps should be to see if it is within spec.

Otherwise yes, better paste, flooring the fan, and an external lap cooler are all ways to cool it more.

I can't actually seem to find any software that lets me alter my fan speed? I've tried Afterburner, SpeedFan and EVGA Precision X1, none of them let me change fan speeds? Which I find strange..

 

[Zizo007]

I can't actually seem to find any software that lets me alter my fan speed? I've tried Afterburner, SpeedFan and EVGA Precision X1, none of them let me change fan speeds? Which I find strange..

Some laptops have a key above the keyboard to increase fan speed.

 

[FormidableRed]

Some laptops have a key above the keyboard to increase fan speed.

Yeah, this one doesn't. I've also been into the BIOS and there is no settings for fan speed etc.