Guys,

I'm no expert when it comes to the more technical aspects of computers, so I need some input.

I got my laptop back in April (see signature below). I've noticed that it gets pretty hot to the touch when gaming. I've also read some reviews of these Pavillions getting hot as well. I downloaded both CPUID and Core Temp to see what I had going on.

At idle or while doing simple things like using iTunes or browsing, temps are < 50C, maybe even < 40C (don't remember the exact numbers).

But, when gaming, I'm getting pretty hot numbers. While playing IL-2 (with UP2.1 installed) the other night, CPUID logged a max core temp of 89C! I don't remember the GPU temp, but was quite a bit lower. Yesterday, while playing SF2 very briefly, Core Temp logged 85C.

An article I found and Core Temp both indicate T max for my Sandybridge i7 is 100C. I'm not concerned about burning myself (I only game when the laptop is on a table), but I am concerned that the high temps might damage my CPU. This may or may not be an issue based on some stuff I've found on the internet.

Is it OK to run so close to T max? If not, I either need to find a way to cool this thing down or get on the phone with HP and get this addressed before my warranty is up.

Thanks.

You're fine at 89C. Maybe a little on the high side, but laptops are notoriously hot inside. If you can find one of those cooling pads, would help with the temps. I wouldn't worry too much about it, unless the temps start hitting 95C+.

Respectfully disagree. With the Sandy Bridge chips, you want around 60 to 65 C max. You need better ventilation and a raised support on your desk to make sure you are getting fresh airflow into the laptop.

Damn! Once again, I'm either fine or totally screwed depending on which answer I go with.

I have looked into laptop cooling pads a little, but I've seen very mixed reviews, and I honestly don't feel like forking over $20-$50 for something that will make my life more complicated and may or may not work.

I can get my laptop higher up off the table easily, but I can't see that getting the temp lower by 25 - 30C.

Any other suggestions for cooling? Or does anyone want to play tie breaker on whether my temp it too high or not?

That's the mobile version of that proc and it has no relation to the desktop version as far as cooling. You will be fine. If it overheats, it will throttle down or lockup.

Well I think 89C is high, although I've read that can be more to do with some laptop's intrinsic air-flow design and how toasty a pushed i7 can get.

If you are idling around 40-45C and your room ambient temperature is quite warm then I'd guess it's a combination of airflow to the laptop (i.e. use a stiff book if put on your lap while gaming, protect the jewels) or just not an ideal laptop design.

If you get sustained temps over 75C while gaming and giving the laptop good airflow is not helping then I'd personally go to the trouble of either getting it RMA'd or (if you are feeling technical) put a better conductive compound on your i7/heatsink fan combo. The trouble with laptops is that they can be sometimes fiddly to get in, but a dab of http://www.arcticsilver.com can do wonders..

Is there any possibility of it being damaged (or its life being shortened) in those scenarios? Or will shut down at a temperature low enough to prevent any long term damage?



Well, if it's still under warranty, I'd probably try to deal with HP first. But if my only option is to get a replacement that will behave the same, I'd give arctic silver a try. But only as a last resort since that will probably (or definietly) void my warranty.

If you have ever pulled a CPU out of a laptop and fooled with the heatpipes and tiny little fans, you will never want to do it again. That proc is rated to 100C.

http://ark.intel.com/products/52219

that seems a bit warm, might wanna think about a decent "chill pad" to go underneath it.

FWIW: Here's a

Guide to Understanding Intel Temperatures

Tjunction applies to "laptop" CPUs.



As has been noted, your Tjunction Max is 100C. That is NOT the case temperature -- which should be lower. So, it matters exactly what's being measured. Odds are, Intel does not intend folks to run their CPUs at the max -- rather quite a way below the max. Still, the article implies, if the system is working right, it will throttle down if the CPU gets too hot.