Unusually Hot CPU Temperature?

[rhpt]

I have a Dell laptop with a i7 720QM CPU, and for the past few months the fan has been running nonstop (or so it seems). This hasn't always been the case, and it just started all of the sudden. I finally checked the CPU temperature today, and it looks to me the CPU is running hot (see screenshot below)

I've checked Task Manager, and I don't see any processes that are using CPU excessively, and I've scanned the computer for malware. The computer was purchased in June 2010. What is causing this issue?

 

[daswilhelm]

probably clogged with dust. blow it out and you should be fine.

 

[PyjamasCat]

I used to have an HP laptop with an Arrandale i5. (240M i think) And it also got incredibly hot. My work laptop has an Ivybridge i5 3210M and runs very cool.

The temps could be high because of a few things. Poor design in cooling and discrete GPU adds to heat and/or uses the same output vent being common but also using the laptop on your lap (yes, I know they should be able to do this) or fabric, like bed sheets or a duvet. My previous laptop had these issues. Also the CPU probably use a higher Vcore than the newer CPUs. Higher volts, more heat.

To help keep my old laptop cool, I cut holes in a shoe box where the intakes are to allow more airflow (down ~10 degrees) and eventually installed fans (down an extra 5), which helped considerably.