Laptop slows down after using it for about 1 hour

[wappe]

I've been lately having some problems with my Alienware m15x gaming laptop. It used to work like a dream and all the games worked very well too. But now I've been expreriencing low fps (5-20) while it used to be 60-80, and the overall performance has been low too. This starts after about 1 hour of playing.
I'm pretty sure it started after using wrong power adapter for 2 weeks. Now I'm using the correct one. I can't remember if I had the problem with the wrong adapter but I think it started after switching back to the normal. I've run virus scans (malwarebytes whole computer scan and flash scan, and whole computer scan with Avast) and they haven't found anything. If someone can help me solve this problem or even tell what isn't working it would be really nice. Thanks for your help already.

 

[DavidE]

I would start by checking temperatures.
I use HWMonitor - it shows temps, fan speeds, and voltages in one screen.
CPUID - System & hardware benchmark, monitoring, reporting

After 1 year, you may well need to clean the laptop vents to allow better cooling/airflow.

 

[wappe]

Ok I will do that. So what should the temps, fan speeds and voltages be?

 

[DavidE]

Many variables can affect temps - CPU, GPU, power config, ambient temp, ...
I would check temps after a "cold boot" (laptop turned off for at least 30 minutes), and then later after gaming for a while.
Compare those results and post (with screen captures) if you have a question.
You could also look up manufacturer's specs for your specific hardware...

 

[wappe]

So at the moment the computer has been on for 7 hours, but I havent done anything with it.. It isnt lagging at the moment. Here is a picture of HWMonitor:

Arent those values kinda normal? I will check it out again when i get lags.

E: okay, played one game of league of legends, at the beginning i had 90 fps.. 5mins = 15 fps, in teamfights 5 fps.

The temperature actually rised:

 

[DavidE]

Those Core temps seem high to me.
From what I found the Max temp for your CPU is 100C.
I don't know at what temp it will throttle down, but you may be hitting that.
Maybe someone with a similar laptop will reply with a definate answer.

I would do some cleaning...
I'm not sure what the best way to clean a laptop is - Canned air, vacuum, ...
I noticed this thread has a couple of ideas for cleaning a laptop.
http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/228427-laptop-slow-tried-almost-everything.html

 

[wappe]

Ok I cleaned it and the 4 first temperatures are now about 50 C. And I got almost no lag.. Gotta clean them better when i have time and canned air.

 

[DavidE]

So the temps that were ~68 are now ~50? That's a huge change!
The important temps are the 2nd print (load temps) - see how those have changed.

Hopefully this is just a simple spring clean up issue, and you don't have any software issues.

Thanks for posting back with that info.

 

[wappe]

So the temps that were ~68 are now ~50? That's a huge change!
The important temps are the 2nd print (load temps) - see how those have changed.

Hopefully this is just a simple spring clean up issue, and you don't have any software issues.

Thanks for posting back with that info.

Yes I managed to get them to 50C just by taking off the back and blowing in the vents (not sure if thats the right word).. Maybe I'll get them even lower when I clean the vents with canned air. I'm not sure what you mean with load temps but I'll post 2 more pics of that program, one just after starting up my computer and one after using it for a while, just to make sure everything is OK now. (I'm gonna do it tomorrow when I go back home.)

 

[linnemeyerhere]

OK so this is what you can try, take the suction side of the vacuum and try to seal it the best way possible to the exhaust of the lappy. Turn the vacuum on and let it run for a good couple of minutes, then take your air canister with wand and blast the intake side with short full air blasts to dislodge the dust and debris this will allow the vacuum to draw it out. The next better step would be to explore the openings and see if you are able to open the laptop up and access the fan which will benefit from moisten q-tip and direct blasts of air as well as hitting the inside channels with air and cleaning all fins and heat sinks with air and or q-tip. Always allow moisture to dry up and replace all panels before turning on.

 

[DavidE]

OK so this is what you can try, take the suction side of the vacuum and try to seal it the best way possible to the exhaust of the lappy. Turn the vacuum on and let it run for a good couple of minutes, then take your air canister with wand and blast the intake side with short full air blasts to dislodge the dust and debris this will allow the vacuum to draw it out. The next better step would be to explore the openings and see if you are able to open the laptop up and access the fan which will benefit from moisten q-tip and direct blasts of air as well as hitting the inside channels with air and cleaning all fins and heat sinks with air and or q-tip. Always allow moisture to dry up and replace all panels before turning on.

+1, Sounds like excellent laptop cleaning advice.

I'm not sure what you mean with load temps

What i meant by that is your 2nd screen print temps are after the laptop has been used for gaming - putting a "load" on the system.

I consider your 1st screen print as "idle" temps - before you have done anything...

The temps after/during gaming are more important, as that is where you may hit temps that cause the PC to throttle down (causing lag) ...