My laptop

About 1 week ago my computer shut off twice randomly. I found out that my GPU was overheating with a temp of over 100 C (only happens during gaming). I talked it over on some tech forums they said it could be two reasons, dry thermal paste, or a busted fan. Unfortunately my warranty just expired June 3 and I rather fix this problem myself instead of poop out money for dell to fix it. I'm guessing its dry thermal paste because while the GPU isn't in use my fan sits at 400 RPM, but while in use it lowers to 20 RPM so I'm hoping the fan has a sensor on the heatsink which is forcing the weird fan RPMs. Do you guys have any thoughts, suggestions, or tips on how to remove and what type of thermal paste to replace the existing paste?

Arctic silver seems to be the benchmark for thermal paste last time I looked. The important part is don't get carried away applying it.

Yup, I use artic silver on all the pc's I build - 2-3/week. Easiest way is to use a credit card (or something else thin and plastic-esque) and just put drops on and smear them until there is a super tiny coating.
Depending on the type of laptop good luck getting to the chip lol.

Agree with the paste stuff, but sounds more like a bad fan to me.

Check to see if it's not a power management issue first then there's a program called speedfan you can use to control the fan speed. If you can regulate it that way my bet is it's just a setting out if whack somewhere.

S7 Big M Easy wrote:Check to see if it's not a power management issue first then there's a program called speedfan you can use to control the fan speed. If you can regulate it that way my bet is it's just a setting out if whack somewhere.

Rivatuner is a much better app for your GPU though. Speed fan, in my experience, doesn't really work all that well with fan control.

Doesn't really sound like thermal paste to me, replacing it should lower your temps though, especially if you haven't done it for years. Sounds like a broken thermal sensor or something like that. It really shouldn't be dropping speed when the GPU powers up. What are the specs of your rig and how big is your PSU?

Its a little over 1 year old

Alienware M17X10
Processor i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60 GHz
RAM 8.00 GHz
64 bit operating system
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5870

EDIT: PSU is this http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04&sku=330-4342&mfgpid=202798&chassisid=8841&~ck=baynoteSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=0

the first time they sent me the wrong PSU that is why my computer started cooking rofl idiots

I do agree its probably my fan because starting up my computer and turning off my computer I hear a clicking/grinding noise. Hopefully it needs lubrication instead of being replaces, but that is just wishful thinking. I was told the replacement fan will cost me $55

Have you messed around with BIOS or tried to OC the GPU or anything like that?

No sorry I'm not that tech savvy. The only time I messed with the BIOS was updating it because of my battery not charging but that was a long time ago in a galaxy far far away....

Just looked at the service manual on how to get he GPU fan out its going to require me to take off the middle back panel, side back panels, and keyboard rofl what a b1tch

Here is the link if you are interested in see the steps.

Download the service manual and go to page 90
http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/Alw_M17xR2/en/index.htm

Well I tried to download ATI catalyst control center and it keeps giving me an error in the installation. I remember messing with this program before you guys think it can affect the GPU's fan?

Yeah, it can effect the majority of the GPU. It's kind of it's job...

Try downloading Rivatuner and setting the fan RPM's with that.

AND/OR

Update (or maybe roll back?) your drivers.

Well I opened my laptop and worked my way to the Graphics card to find out the heatsink was completely clogged with dust. I cleaned it out and my GPU seems to be sitting steady at 70-73 C. looks like it was fixed.