I think I cooked my computer and I might need new parts.

[Cardboardo]

So...About a year and a half ago I decided to purchase my first gaming computer. I had basically no experience with computers then, and I didn't want to screw anything up by building one, so I asked a couple friends and they told me that Alienware was a good brand. I've learned that they're kind of really overpriced for what they offer, and I regret buying this thing now.
Anyway, my issue...Well, I sort of screwed around with overclocking near when I first got the laptop, and I wasn't too experienced so I'm pretty sure I cooked it. As I wised up about computers slightly I realized what I was doing to my laptop, but if I didn't overclock then I would get some sub-par frames in certain games. I kept chasing that high and eventually resorted to throttlestop. This is basically the point where I didn't allow any kind of heat reduction features, and now I have a mediocre laptop that overheats every now and again even when it isn't stressed too much.
I would post my specs, but I don't think it matters...I just need to know if I have to get a new computer altogether or just replace a part or two. Can someone help me out? Thanks.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Cardboard mate depends what you have cooked could just be the CPU what have you got specs are helpful mate. ie CPU cooler etc etc

 

[Cardboardo]

Hi, thanks for responding.

I just nabbed this from DXdiag:

Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.130104-1431)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M14xR1
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 1.0 A03
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2670QM CPU @ 2.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6092MB RAM
Page File: 3880MB used, 8301MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

 

[kbrady1979]

If you aren't getting freezes/crashes or blue screens, your laptop could just need a good cleaning. What EXACTLY is happening?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Agreed KB run Speccy and let us know what the temps are mate

Speccy - Download

Hum a memtest would not go amiss either http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

 

[Cardboardo]

If you aren't getting freezes/crashes or blue screens, your laptop could just need a good cleaning. What EXACTLY is happening?

No freezing or crashing, I've just noticed that over time I've lost a good amount of framerate in games that I used to get a near perfect framerate in. I re-installed windows about three months ago, so it isn't like I have no memory. You might be right about cleaning. Any idea how I would go about this?

 

[kbrady1979]

Have you updated the graphics card driver? Have you applied all other important drivers?

 

[Cardboardo]

Agreed KB run Speccy and let us know what the temps are mate

Speccy - Download

Hum a memtest would not go amiss either http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

When I run Speccy, it "unexpectedly quits".
I think it's possible to check temps using throttlestop.

It seems like my maximum CPU temp is around 79 degrees C, but I'm not in a game or anything.

 

[Cardboardo]

Have you updated the graphics card driver? Have you applied all other important drivers?

I think so...How can I check for updates to drivers and such?

 

[kbrady1979]

Go to either Nvidia or AMD's site and either find Support & Drivers or Drivers & Downloads, select your EXACT video card and see what version the driver is. Compare that with the driver version listed in Device Manager under Display Adapter > Right-Click > Properties > Driver Tab > Driver Version.

 

[derekimo]

Is this your laptop?

Drivers & Downloads | Dell US

Or this,

Product Support for alienware M14x | Dell US

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Agreed KB run Speccy and let us know what the temps are mate

Speccy - Download

Hum a memtest would not go amiss either http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

When I run Speccy, it "unexpectedly quits".
I think it's possible to check temps using throttlestop.

It seems like my maximum CPU temp is around 79 degrees C, but I'm not in a game or anything.

Well the Tjunction for that CPU is 100C max but even so if you are not gaming I think that temp is a little on the warm side for my liking anyway. Plus if you have OCing then it may have well pushed it close to it's limit.
But I stand to be corrected.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum I just noticed too that CPU can take on 16GB RAM and you have 6GB was there any reason why you have the 6GB instead of say 8GB and I still would be interested in that memtest.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

what about re-enabling all cooling features and remove the OC (by bringing the OC to normal with the utilities if you were using utilities, don't uninstall them)? Then you can start again with something less aggressive, and buy a good laptop cooling pad (the bigger the fan is the better).

If you really want hardcore OC you need to make holes place more fans

 

[Cardboardo]

what about re-enabling all cooling features and remove the OC (by bringing the OC to normal with the utilities if you were using utilities, don't uninstall them)? Then you can start again with something less aggressive, and buy a good laptop cooling pad (the bigger the fan is the better).

If you really want hardcore OC you need to make holes place more fans

When I said it overheats sometimes, I mean pretty rarely. Even if BP Prochot is disabled, will high temps reduce performance?

 

[AddRAM]

A laptop isn`t made for gaming, and is not meant to be overclocked.

They get hot enough on their own.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

what about re-enabling all cooling features and remove the OC (by bringing the OC to normal with the utilities if you were using utilities, don't uninstall them)? Then you can start again with something less aggressive, and buy a good laptop cooling pad (the bigger the fan is the better).

If you really want hardcore OC you need to make holes place more fans

When I said it overheats sometimes, I mean pretty rarely. Even if BP Prochot is disabled, will high temps reduce performance?

Plus for mine - YEP!! Think of it like running a car with a faulty thermostat the engine get so hot the components parts expand and lose efficiency by losing compression dropping oil pressure etc etc because they are designed to operate within certain limits for efficiency..So with electronic stuff conductivity is lost by components being hotter than ambient or super cooled / temps / circumstances just as an example.

 

[bobafetthotmail]

When I said it overheats sometimes, I mean pretty rarely. Even if BP Prochot is disabled, will high temps reduce performance?

High temps dramatically reduce lifespan as components cook off over time, solder may melt in the heatspots and disconnect components (thus break the laptop) and you possibly risk to make your battery catch fire (depending on where it is located, if it is close to heat sources you are).
I had seen all three kinds of damage. It is usually either too expensive or impossible to repair.

Besides, most of the power-saving features shouldn't have a horribly negative impact on performance. When performance is required by a program everything is throttled to 100% regardless.
Power-saving stuff should have an impact on idle and light-medium load temperatures only.

A laptop cooling pad (with large fan) should help greatly reduce temps while keeping silence. I had a few gaming laptops temp reduced by up to 10 C° just with a good cooling pad.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

When I said it overheats sometimes, I mean pretty rarely. Even if BP Prochot is disabled, will high temps reduce performance?

High temps dramatically reduce lifespan as components cook off over time, solder may melt in the heatspots and disconnect components (thus break the laptop) and you possibly risk to make your battery catch fire (depending on where it is located, if it is close to heat sources you are).
I had seen all three kinds of damage. It is usually either too expensive or impossible to repair.

Besides, most of the power-saving features shouldn't have a horribly negative impact on performance. When performance is required by a program everything is throttled to 100% regardless.
Power-saving stuff should have an impact on idle and light-medium load temperatures only.

A laptop cooling pad (with large fan) should help greatly reduce temps while keeping silence. I had a few gaming laptops temp reduced by up to 10 C° just with a good cooling pad.

Agreed Bob and plus I always have a piece of filter material over the intake for the fan as the thing sits so close to tops and more so on laps.
Might be a good time to check out the state of the inside of the thing at least that is what I would be doing. Just out of interest as Derek asked what model is it??

 

[linnemeyerhere]

If you aren't getting freezes/crashes or blue screens, your laptop could just need a good cleaning. What EXACTLY is happening?

No freezing or crashing, I've just noticed that over time I've lost a good amount of framerate in games that I used to get a near perfect framerate in. I re-installed windows about three months ago, so it isn't like I have no memory. You might be right about cleaning. Any idea how I would go about this?

On a regular basis you need to clean any computer as they really are great room heaters and air cleaners. I would determine the intake (bottom) and exhaust (side) and then with the unit turned off you can place a vacuum over the exhaust sealing it as well as you can with your hand or tape or nothing. Then take compressed air and with short intense blasts shoot air into the intake. The can of air will get cold and loose pressure so keep the vacuum running and allow it to pull dust bunnies out then repeat when the can of air warms. I would recommend this be done in 6 month intervals or sooner if left on for long periods, high dust or animals are present !