Laptop CPU above 88 C but under 50% load? Concerned?

[bancosrs]

I have an Asus laptop. A lot of things have been faulty with it.

One stick of RAM went bad and then the HDD went bad. I replaced the HDD but never ended up buying a new stick of RAM. I left only 2GB in it on 1 stick. I don't know if this makes any difference but I think it's worth noting.

Anyways, while doing any sorts of gaming, regardless of the game (BF3/COD4) I get these temperatures but I don't know the reason why they get so hot if they aren't even above 50% load. I think the shut off point is 90c so I was concerned whether or not I should reapply thermal paste or stop playing games in general?

I appreciate the help!

These are the screen shots.

Intel HD Graphics 3000

Nvidia Geforce GT540m

CPU - Intel i5

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Yeah, it's running a wee bit too warm for comfort (understated Jeannie). The first thing to do when a laptop starts running hot is to clean any dust out. to do that, power down, then remove the battery. Flip it over and remove the cover on the bottom. Use canned air and wooden toothpicks to remove any dust build up. Pay close attention to the CPU fan and heatsink; usually, you can clean them by blowing air in from the outside in. Just don't let the air spin the fan (use a toothpick to keep it from spinning). If the inside of the laptop has very much dust built up, getting rid of it usually will relieve overheating.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

The use of a cooler or stand will also enhance cooling but please clean with steps above first.

 

[madcratebuilder]

You may need to replace the fan. A cheap cooler well help a lot. A $8 cooler off ebay keeps mine under 65C at full load and around 50c in normal use.

 

[bancosrs]

Not to cut any corners in airing it out, but just to avoid damaging my laptop. I was wondering if it was efficient enough to pop off the keyboard and then air it out? Basically, the only thing you have access to when taking off the back plate is the RAM and HDD.

Here's a similar model disassemble video. http://youtu.be/veB54elfQj0?t=1m39s

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Great gobs of gooey, goofy gopher guts! The engineers who designed that laptop had to have been roaring drunk! I just remove one panel that covers about half the bottom from my Lenovo and I can get at everything that needs getting at (HDD, RAM, CPU, CPU cooler, and Fan).

Before attempting a complete teardown like the video shows, try just opening up the easy stuff, blowing with some "canned air" in through the CPU cooler exhaust grill and see if any dust comes out. Don't use the straw; that will reduce air pressure so the fan will be less likely to spin too much. Also, keep the can upright to avoid spraying any liquid into your computer.

 

[bancosrs]

Alright, so I took off my keyboard/back plate and did as much as I could with canned air. I think I found my problem though because even after cleaning it my idle/gaming temps didn't change. Though I went to a friends house and got lower temps. I played on a concrete slab/air-conditioned environment.

The reason being:
I play on a "wooden" desk in non air-conditioned temperatures. I believe the airflow between my laptop and desk isn't really sufficient to keep cool because of the wood staying at a 'warm' temp.

I was looking to invest in a cooling pad but don't know what to look for. I came across these two but was looking for a decisive answer or suggestions?
Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim Ultra-Slim Laptop Cooling Pad with 160mm Fan
OR
Cooler Master NotePal X2 Laptop Cooling Pad with 140mm

 

[linnemeyerhere]

bancosrs, Let me come from a whole other angle. I have had my lappy on coolers of several styles and they do work and I would suggest them for beds and travel. For a desk this combo is tough to beat. Yes there are some adjustable fan style coolers that look nice but IMHO it's more to go wrong as they are cheaply made. So here's my plan Stan you want this stand and then get yourself a killer wired or wireless gaming keyboard and mouse and you'll be in freak'n ergonomic heaven.

Amazon.com: 3M Vertical Notebook Riser (LX550): Office Products

I won't post a keyboard and mouse as they are very personal, many here are going mechanical switches but do find one with back lighted keys and with a good mouse you have the screen up and off the desk as well as the fan drawing cooler clean air and the best ergonomics. Phase 2 or 3 you add and nice 2nd screen and go dual monitor, Wicked !

 

[bancosrs]

bancosrs, Let me come from a whole other angle. I have had my lappy on coolers of several styles and they do work and I would suggest them for beds and travel. For a desk this combo is tough to beat. Yes there are some adjustable fan style coolers that look nice but IMHO it's more to go wrong as they are cheaply made. So here's my plan Stan you want this stand and then get yourself a killer wired or wireless gaming keyboard and mouse and you'll be in freak'n ergonomic heaven.

Amazon.com: 3M Vertical Notebook Riser (LX550): Office Products

I won't post a keyboard and mouse as they are very personal, many here are going mechanical switches but do find one with back lighted keys and with a good mouse you have the screen up and off the desk as well as the fan drawing cooler clean air and the best ergonomics. Phase 2 or 3 you add and nice 2nd screen and go dual monitor, Wicked !

This is a brilliant idea! TBH I have a really small desk and working with papers and other work I have little room to spare due to my laptop being apart of my work/desk. I was almost tempted to buy it the first time I saw it because it sparked so many good ideas.

Other than that I am still a little skeptical of the airflow. Have you see temperature drops with this while you game? I NEED at least a 6-10c drop and from what I have read about cooling pads they do just that. Though I am not doubting this will pull in the cleanest air it has ever gotten I am just not sure my laptops fan alone could still cool it.

Sorry for doubting I am still probably going to get this for work related things but was still concerned for gaming

 

[linnemeyerhere]

My HP lappy is pure i3, 8gb 1333, SSD business and I can game on it some it flat sucks so I'm not qualified for that question but as far as temps they are as good as any cooler can provide as really the fan style coolers are only drawing air up and making cooler air available to the lappy's intake. They don't seal off the lappy and force air into the lappy. Really all you have to do is prop your's up after running a temp and compare. If you want a powered fan style it won't hurt at all...something like this:
Cooler Master NotePal ErgoStand Laptop Cooling Stand, up to 17" (140mm Adj. Fan Speed) - Newegg.com

Cooler Master NotePal U Stand Laptop Cooling Pad Aluminum Base, up to 17” (2 x 100mm Configurable Fans) - Newegg.com

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Keep in mind with my style stand it's adjustable but has no fans, all it does is prop the lappy up and leave the lappy's intake open to draw room air in freely. As I mentioned just put some non-skip under the bottom front of your lappy and prop the back up on a box and read your new temps and that's what your going to get ! Clean simple and really there is no silver bullet here as the ambient in the room is what it is but air flow you can control some.