[RESOLVED] High core temperatures?

[WhiteRose]

My laptop has been getting very high core temperatures recently. They're usually around 60° C just idle. Normal temperatures for a laptop should be in the high forties. I clean out the vents and fans regularly. I would assume that this means the thermal paste for my processor is wearing out and needs to be replaced, but this laptop isn't even a year old. My processor is a Core i7 720QM. Does anyone have any ideas on why it's acting this way, or what I could do to fix it?

[G_G]

Not that this is much help but don't place it on your lap. You'll get Toasted Skin Syndrome. I really have no idea, not sure if its the parts or what but my grandmas laptop would get really hot all the time and before it never used to. It ended up getting so hot that parts of it started frying or something and she had to get a new one. I think it runs in the family but I got blamed for it because of a virus that was on there that I had nothing to do with. :S

[WhiteRose]

Thanks for the tip, G_G. Actually, I never put my computer on my lap. Most laptops put out quite a bit of heat, but mine, being a gaming laptop, puts out even more than normal. The fans inside the computer keep it from getting too hot on the inside, but it pumps out so much heat that it would probably burn me if I left it on my lap for long.

[G_G]

Hence the Toasty Skin Syndrome. xD

[Spaceman McConaughey]

Wait, so a laptop getting hot to the point it burns you is normal?

So I have nothing to worry about, right?

No sarcasm or smart-ass remarks here, seriously.

[winkio]

Mine has done the same thing.  It's mostly a side effect of wear and tear on the main parts.  Perhaps the fans have built up some friction and are running slower.

[WhiteRose]

Wait, so a laptop getting hot to the point it burns you is normal?

So I have nothing to worry about, right?

No sarcasm or smart-ass remarks here, seriously.

It depends on the type of laptop, but for any kind that has a very powerful graphics card and a high-end processor, yes, being hot enough to burn you is fairly normal, from what I understand.

Mine has done the same thing.  It's mostly a side effect of wear and tear on the main parts.  Perhaps the fans have built up some friction and are running slower.

That's possible. However, I've only had the laptop for less than a year, and have been very careful with it. I rarely even move it from my desk, and when I do, I carry it in a padded case. I suppose it's feasible that gaming laptops wear out more quickly than more common types of laptops, but they should last longer than a year, regardless.

Maybe I should just call Dell support and ask them about it. I'm not sure if the computer is still under warranty, though.

[ForeverZer0]

You could try getting one of them fan-bases to set the computer on. I know this is going to solve your problem, but it may help in the meantime.
One thing to remember is that different processors can withstand higher temps. If I remember correctly you have an AlienWare, which have over-clockable CPUs. They are meant to be able to take the extra little bit. Its not optimal, but I wouldn't fret too much until they get around 80 degrees on a load. My own will often be in the high 40's to low 50's being idle, and even peak around 70 when it is doing something strenuous like compressing 3 different files, doing a virus scan, and converting a video at the same time.

[Blizzard]

I suggest that you check out your fan. It's likely that there's a lot of dust hindering its movement. I remember when I first cleaned my CPU fan, the core temperature dropped by 20°C.

[G_G]

You guys and your Celcius. I'm a Fahrenheit guy.

[PhoenixFire]

yay to farenheit! woo!

lolz.. But seriously, I wouldn't worry all too much, because that IS in fact normal.. My laptop would sometimes get up to high 60's and low 70's running games, high end apps, etc.. My suggestion is also one of those laptop docks, with a fan system in it.

[WhiteRose]

yay to farenheit! woo!

lolz.. But seriously, I wouldn't worry all too much, because that IS in fact normal.. My laptop would sometimes get up to high 60's and low 70's running games, high end apps, etc.. My suggestion is also one of those laptop docks, with a fan system in it.

I wouldn't be concerned if I was getting temperatures in the 60's and 70's running games and high-power apps. However, I'm getting temperatures in the 60's while running nothing at all, other than standard operating system background processes. When running applications, temperatures sometimes get so high that the system shuts itself down, meaning that temperatures have exceeded safe levels, usually around 100 degrees.

@Blizz: That's a good idea. It's the first thing on my list of things to do once I get home, as here at college I don't have the necessary screwdrivers to open my computer.

@F0 and everyone else who said to get a cooling pad: Not a bad suggestion. Does anyone have any recommendations on what to buy?

[PhoenixFire]

Radioshack -> Gigaware Brand -> Laptop cooling fan

Yes, of course I take this opportunity to promote my work over others lolz... 

[WhiteRose]

Radioshack -> Gigaware Brand -> Laptop cooling fan

Yes, of course I take this opportunity to promote my work over others lolz...  

I'll be sure to check it out.

Also, my temperatures seem to be much lower today for some reason. It's possible that whatever was causing the issue has resolved itself. Still, I'd like to make sure it doesn't happen again, so I might pick up a cooling pad regardless.

EDIT: I got home today, and took apart the computer and cleaned it out. It is running much cooler now; I was surprised at how much dust was in there. I'm going to go ahead and mark this as resolved.