Underclocking Laptop CPU

[Kallakix2015]

Hi,
My laptop has an Intel i7-4720HQ 2.60 Quad Core CPU and it has always overheated. I've checked it for dust or blockages and found nothing. Re-applied the thermal paste about 10 times (which makes the CPU cooler for a while, then returns to getting hot) and nothing has solved it.
I was looking into under clocking I just tried limiting the CPU power output through the power settings and the temperature dropped significantly when I limited it.

When there are no limitations the CPU sits at 60-75 degrees C while idle. When gaming it can reach 95 degrees (where I'll turn it off) The gpu always stays cool and has dual fans attached to it, the cpu has one small fan (which probably explains the cooling issues).

My question is, how much should I limit the CPU by? The overheating seems to be caused by laptop not being able to cool down properly when at 100% usage.

When I limited it to 80% the idle temps were 45-55 degrees C. I want to cool this thing down, but not turn it into a weak PC.

Any thoughts?
Thanks,

 

[Con6612]

I know it's a laptop, but could you get a better CPU fan for it? Better fans mean less need to underclock and maybe even overclock possibility.

 

[Kallakix2015]

I know it's a laptop, but could you get a better CPU fan for it? Better fans mean less need to underclock and maybe even overclock possibility.

I looked into upgrading my laptop fans a while ago with a different laptop, but never found anything. If that's an option I could try it. I don't even know how you'd upgrade a laptop fan, wouldn't the fan for the model be the only one that would fit?

 

[Rogue Leader]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

 

[Kallakix2015]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

Ye I've tried cooling pads in the past, but this thing overheats while idle, looking for a solution without an external help. It overheats even when on a hard service, like a wooden or glass table. If it was on a bed it would probably be idle at 85 degrees or higher.

 

[Con6612]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

Ye I've tried cooling pads in the past, but this thing overheats while idle, looking for a solution without an external help. It overheats even when on a hard service, like a wooden or glass table. If it was on a bed it would probably be idle at 85 degrees or higher.

Have you contacted the laptop manufacturer to see if they can replace/help fix the problem?

 

[Aladdad]

Depending on what laptop you use, this my work out for you to help you get better temperatures. its got great reviews and it has a nice price.
i would recommend this instead of a cooling fan.
https://www.amazon.com/Opolar-Laptop-Temperature-Display-Cooling/dp/B01E3Q7FS6/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471182408&sr=1-7&keywords=laptop+cooler

Or, you can try and replace your laptops thermal paste, my laptop had similar issues idling at 60-70c and instantly throttling underload, i had to take it apart and replace the thermal paste on both GPU/CPU and now my laptop won't exceed 85c under FULL load, but that is really up to you

 

[Rogue Leader]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

Ye I've tried cooling pads in the past, but this thing overheats while idle, looking for a solution without an external help. It overheats even when on a hard service, like a wooden or glass table. If it was on a bed it would probably be idle at 85 degrees or higher.

Laptops run hot no matter what, you will never get desktop type of temps out of one. When the laptop is overheating have you ever reached the point that its throttling or shutting down?

If not I know it seems counter-intuitive but let it run hot. The processor can handle it, unless its throttling you're not going to break anything.

 

[Kallakix2015]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

Ye I've tried cooling pads in the past, but this thing overheats while idle, looking for a solution without an external help. It overheats even when on a hard service, like a wooden or glass table. If it was on a bed it would probably be idle at 85 degrees or higher.

Have you contacted the laptop manufacturer to see if they can replace/help fix the problem?

Sent them an email today, hopefully hear back in a few days, but I don't think they can help, it looks like this is down to bad design.

 

[Kallakix2015]

Depending on what laptop you use, this my work out for you to help you get better temperatures. its got great reviews and it has a nice price.
i would recommend this instead of a cooling fan.
https://www.amazon.com/Opolar-Laptop-Temperature-Display-Cooling/dp/B01E3Q7FS6/ref=sr_1_7?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471182408&sr=1-7&keywords=laptop+cooler

Or, you can try and replace your laptops thermal paste, my laptop had similar issues idling at 60-70c and instantly throttling underload, i had to take it apart and replace the thermal paste on both GPU/CPU and now my laptop won't exceed 85c under FULL load, but that is really up to you

That cooling thing looks interesting, might get one. thanks

 

[Kallakix2015]

There are no better fans available for a laptop, however you could get yourself a cooling pad such as:

https://smile.amazon.com/Tree-New-Bee-Cooling-15-6/dp/B016PMVM7Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1471181593&sr=1-4&keywords=laptop+cooling+pad

Also where is this overheat happening? On your bed or on a desk table?

Ye I've tried cooling pads in the past, but this thing overheats while idle, looking for a solution without an external help. It overheats even when on a hard service, like a wooden or glass table. If it was on a bed it would probably be idle at 85 degrees or higher.

Laptops run hot no matter what, you will never get desktop type of temps out of one. When the laptop is overheating have you ever reached the point that its throttling or shutting down?

If not I know it seems counter-intuitive but let it run hot. The processor can handle it, unless its throttling you're not going to break anything.

The last gaming laptop I had ran idle at 40-45 degrees and while gaming maxed out at 80. I know they run hotter than desktops, but this runs a lot hotter than any other laptop I've owned. I also noticed that the CPU is running at full speed almost all the time. I don't know if thats normal, the power setting are set to balanced and have a 5% minimum and 100% maximum. Why would it be running at 100% if it's on balanced?

 

[Rogue Leader]

The last gaming laptop I had ran idle at 40-45 degrees and while gaming maxed out at 80. I know they run hotter than desktops, but this runs a lot hotter than any other laptop I've owned. I also noticed that the CPU is running at full speed almost all the time. I don't know if thats normal, the power setting are set to balance and have a 5% minimum and 100% maximum. Why would it be running at 100% if it's on balanced?

I do tend to agree with your last post, that its possible the cooling design just sucks on the laptop. Thats also why its tough to compare them, if the laptop stock is idling that high then other than cutting a hole in the case I just don't see this getting better (although the clip on fan mentioned before seems like a good idea).

As for the CPU running at full speed all the time, you should check your background processes, see if there is something running causing that. It could be Windows update is stuck, could be a virus, or any of number of other things.

 

[unspeakable]

Hi. I have a $800 (2016 MSRP) i7-6700HQ laptop with HD 530. I picked it up for $389(same price as processor) and I think that MSRP was terrible. With one fan to cool the CPU, which is FACTORY OVERCLOCKED to the highest possible for this CPU, it is constantly overheating and can't play minecraft. This is an HP laptop. I solved all this with Underclocking it from the BIOS (and a cooling pad).
Tell me what company your laptop is from and I can tell you how to underclock it as it is most likely FACTORY OVERCLOCKED. Check "Intel XTU" for processor speeds

 

[unspeakable]

I also want to mention that having a higher core clock can reduce the performance of the IGPU

 

[Rogue Leader]

I also want to mention that having a higher core clock can reduce the performance of the IGPU

This thread is a year and a half old, the OP is long gone. please stick to current threads.