Hardware nvidia 310m overheating + clock speeds

[Bently]

I'm using an ASUS ul80jt right now with these specifications:

-i3 330UM @ 1.2ghz (Turbo33 -> @1.56gz~)
-4GB Memory
-NVIDIA GeForce 310m w/ 512mb vram + Intel GMA HD (Switchable graphics)

When I run Skyrim or Minecraft for instance the fan starts roaring almost instantaneously. Checking over on MSI Afterburner (btw, I have not overclocked it yet) the GPU temperature skyrockets from 60-70~ to nearly 90+ (degrees celsius) . How could I fix this?

Also how would I change the clock speed? It appears it doesn't change from the really low stock settings (core: 405mhz, shader: 810mhz, and memory: 405mhz).

 

[Tom Bombadildo]

The main reason this happens is because it's a laptop, most high performance laptops are known for overheating quickly.


However, you should check for dust on the fans and clean them off if any, you could also buy a laptop cooling pad (you can find them anywhere from $5-$20 online), or you can try underclocking your GPU (if available, I'm not sure if it is or not) which would also obviously lead to less performance.

 

[Bently]

The main reason this happens is because it's a laptop, most high performance laptops are known for overheating quickly.


However, you should check for dust on the fans and clean them off if any, you could also buy a laptop cooling pad (you can find them anywhere from $5-$20 online), or you can try underclocking your GPU (if available, I'm not sure if it is or not) which would also obviously lead to less performance.

>< , I'll try checking for dust. Yes, I do happen to have multiple cooling pads but it just seems absurd how quickly it heats up. I think it's already been overclocked, speeds are considerably lower than the stock speeds.

 

[raulpica]

You don't need to change the clock speeds, the system probably downclocks the GPU when it's not in use to save on energy consumption. My GTX260 does that.

It should automatically get on stock frequencies under heavy load.

Anyway, I know that it isn't right to compare desktop GPUs with laptop GPUs, but that temperature is probably normal. At least my GTX260 also does ~90°C (and it's a LOT bigger and has a giant cooling fan on it) when playing games.

 

[chains_of_androm]

Could be bad thermal paste job, I think a batch of MacBook Pros had the same issue awhile back. Maybe take it apart and reapply thermal paste (you actually need only a small amount).

 

[Bently]

You don't need to change the clock speeds, the system probably downclocks the GPU when it's not in use to save on energy consumption. My GTX260 does that.

It should automatically get on stock frequencies under heavy load.

Anyway, I know that it isn't right to compare desktop GPUs with laptop GPUs, but that temperature is probably normal. At least my GTX260 also does ~90°C (and it's a LOT bigger and has a giant cooling fan on it) when playing games.

Okay, we'll I've seem to have been able to overclock it with afterburner now. It's running a little over stock speeds and no noticeably different temperatures now. Staying constant 80's-90. But yes, I think I was overreacting. The fan doesn't seem to roar in pain anymore. (Probably because I updated both graphics card drivers? Unsure.)

On 301.24 Beta for Nvidia and the latest for intel.

Could be bad thermal paste job, I think a batch of MacBook Pros had the same issue awhile back. Maybe take it apart and reapply thermal paste (you actually need only a small amount).

That seems like a lot of work for me. Don't have much experience with the hardware side of computers to be honest.

 

[raulpica]

Could be bad thermal paste job, I think a batch of MacBook Pros had the same issue awhile back. Maybe take it apart and reapply thermal paste (you actually need only a small amount).

That seems like a lot of work for me. Don't have much experience with the hardware side of computers to be honest.

Most laptops also require to be unscrewed COMPLETELY to access the coolers, which is really difficult if you're not experienced.

Some laptops might have "bays" at the bottom to let you easily clean the coolers and change the thermal paste. But then again, if you're not experienced in it, don't do it.

 

[Originality]

For the temp to jump that quickly, its reading the core temp instead of the external temp. When extra voltage gets put to it (switching from idle to load configs) that will spike the temps instantly.

Also consider the 310m is not actually a strong graphics chip, so it has to work very hard to play games with large view distances like Skyrim and Minecraft.

 

[Bently]

Could be bad thermal paste job, I think a batch of MacBook Pros had the same issue awhile back. Maybe take it apart and reapply thermal paste (you actually need only a small amount).

That seems like a lot of work for me. Don't have much experience with the hardware side of computers to be honest.

Most laptops also require to be unscrewed COMPLETELY to access the coolers, which is really difficult if you're not experienced.

Some laptops might have "bays" at the bottom to let you easily clean the coolers and change the thermal paste. But then again, if you're not experienced in it, don't do it.

Yeah, I wasn't going to try . If anything the most I would do is open it up and use compressed air to clean out any dust.

For the temp to jump that quickly, its reading the core temp instead of the external temp. When extra voltage gets put to it (switching from idle to load configs) that will spike the temps instantly.

Also consider the 310m is not actually a strong graphics chip, so it has to work very hard to play games with large view distances like Skyrim and Minecraft.

I see. But I've learned that my GPU has 3 different clock levels that it switches between.
1st level- Core: 135Mhz, Memory: 135Mhz, Shader: 270Mhz
2nd level- Core: 405Mhz, Memory: 405Mhz, Shader: 810Mhz
3rd level (default clock/stock clock)- Core: 606Mhz, Memory: 667Mhz, Shader: 1468Mhz

Now the problem is, my computer only switches between the first 2 levels. It hardly ever goes into the 3rd level, is there a way to manually override these levels? I would really like to play games on the default clock settings :x.

 

[Originality]

If I recall, the "stock clock" is only for when it's heavily demanded. I don't know by which logic it switches between "modes" so I can't really help you force it on the highest mode.

 

[Bently]

If I recall, the "stock clock" is only for when it's heavily demanded. I don't know by which logic it switches between "modes" so I can't really help you force it on the highest mode.

Yeah, I realized that much. I somewhat fixed this issue by enabling the highest level to be turned on when the GPU load hits a certain percentage.
Now for some reason, the heat is getting worse. Going up to 100 degrees now, cooling pad not helping at all.. Right when it hits 100 degrees games start lagging up and the frame rate drops to 1.


EDIT: Solved, will be posting full solution/process here.

 

[Pinchokio]

Hi, I have the exact same problem, can you post the solution please, thanks

 

[the_randomizer]

Isn't anything above 80 Celsius dangerous?

 

[Pinchokio]

yea probably, my gpu never had overheating problems before, but after getting my laptop fixed it overheats to a point where it starts lagging even though I am using the same programs.

It's the exact same problem as Bently's, it goes over 100 degrees at this "stock clock".
2nd level only brings it to 70 degrees so I am okay with that.

 

[the_randomizer]

Do you have proper ventilation and/or a cooler for the laptop?

 

[Pinchokio]

yea I do, cleaned fans and cooling pad