So I've had my Dell XPS M1530 for a few months and love it in every other aspect except for how easily it overheats while playing games, and it can get pretty damn hot before it turns itself off as a precaution. The games I play on it aren't even that demanding and I would expect this computer to be made for on account of it's geforce 8600 video card. Games like battlefield 2, TF2, and Left 4 Dead (with all graphics on low or medium low). I bought a Belkin fan a few weeks back but it just doesn't do much other than keep my legs from burning. What would you recommend for keeping it cool? Also, is there an app I can download that will tell me the current temperature of the computer? Thanks!

Try riva tuner and motherboard monitor.
As for keeping it cool there isn't much you can do.Try not to close the fans on the bottom.For example, if you are using it on a bed the fans on the bottom will probably be blocked and heat will rise up.
There are cooling kits for notebooks but I don't know how well they work never used one.

I assume those games use 100% of the cpu/gpu
you need an app that steals CPU (+ GPU) time but doesnt do anything (critcal running thread that just causes pause?)
unfortunatly I dont know of one, if such a thing doesnt exist I suggest its a good idea for someone to write an app

You can put some legs under the laptop to keep it a bit elevated, that way the air circulates better. You can also get special cooling pads which you put the laptop on.

Undervolt your CPU. Sounds strange, but on a laptop you want to minimise heat generation and power draw. You essentially go through the same process as overclocking, except you're decreasing voltage rather than increasing clockspeed.

1) Undervolt a little bit
2) Run stability tests (eg. Prime95)
3) If stable, go to 1)
4) Set voltage to last stable setting (or a little above, to be safe)

Intel mobile Core 2 Duo's generally can undervolt by about ~10% and do just fine.

Also: you can use SpeedFan to monitor the temperature of components in your laptop.

I had the same problem with my Dell Inspiron. Thing is, in my experience these gaming laptops will usually run hot.

I can tell you things that helped me with my Dell laptop.

1st: If your ever in a cold place (like Toronto) :) .. you can open the windows to the room you're in and let the cold air come in. Suck it up and be happy you live in such a place where cold air is so abundant. Hint.. you can wear a sweater too

2nd: This method creates a combo effect if you were able to complete the 1st pointer. Now, if you've got fans under your laptop, you can rise your laptop up by stacking CD cases (those thick ones) under your laptop. Make sure to strategically place them in areas where the fans aren't blocking them.

Having this cooler computer should make the fans come on less.

Using these 2 combination's simultaneously I was able to play World of Warcraft on my 5 year old laptop without any lag. As soon as I took one of these steps out things went to shit.

Another method, is to get a program called "Notebook Hardware control" which allows you to underclock your CPU/GPU. This should reduce your laptops heat production.

Goodluck!

I have the exact same laptop, and I had the same thing happen to me. After running RivaTuner and CPUZ to determine the temperatures during load, I phoned up Dell, explained that my laptop was running on temperatures above what NVidia and Intel specifies as 'safe' and that I want it fixed.

Within 24 hours a Dell mechanic showed up and replaced my GPU, Heatpipe, Motherboard and cooler(s). Since then, it worked like a charm and never overheated again.

I suggest you do the same. The XPS support is extremely good, and if you show a little bit of knowledge(Such as telling what tools you used, refering to the Intel specs for the CPU and explaining your hardware experience), you'll be believed on your word and they have it fixed in no time.

However, I also have a 9-cell battery(I think it's a 9-cell) that's larger than the normal battery. So my laptop is under a slight angle which increases the airflow.

Toolmaker

Quote: Original post by Instigator
1st: If your ever in a cold place (like Toronto) :) .. you can open the windows to the room you're in and let the cold air come in. Suck it up and be happy you live in such a place where cold air is so abundant. Hint.. you can wear a sweater too

Tssss, "wear a sweater". I live in Norway, and when I open up my window in the winter I have to be on the lookout for bears. [wink]

On a more serious note, when I open up the window in the winter, my CPU temp drops about 10c pretty quickly, even under full load. Then again, temps on average are around -20c in the winter here, so opening the window really isn't an option unless you're planning to wear gloves. Which obviously makes it a bit hard to operate a keyboard...

haha i like polymorhpeds post, reminds me of benders line "man its so cold here my cpu is running at optimum capacity" or something...

i might try that hardware program one of the previous posters mentioned. i dont game on my laptop and it gets ridiculously hot under hardly any load just over time and my girlfriend keeps shouting at me for frying my sperm cos she wants to try for kids soon :-/

Quote: Original post by Taran Shiro
I bought a Belkin fan a few weeks back but it just doesn't do much other than keep my legs from burning.

Have you tried putting your computer on a regular desk to see if the heat problems are less?

My wife is famous for sitting her computer on her legs or on the mattress of our bed. The thing get's pretty hot. You stick it on a desk, the problem goes away since the airflow is more controlled.

Give it a try. It may not solve the problem, but if it does it is a free solution.

John