Getting exorbitant overheating on GPU, not sure why

[demonred]

About a year ago I was having a problem where after playing any graphics-intensive games for any moderate amount of time (about an hour or so), my computer would completely shut off with no warning. I figured it was the fan or the thermal paste going bad, so I ordered some Artic Silver 5, cleaned out the fans and applied it to the GPU. I didn't have any more issues for probably over a year.

About a month or so ago, I've started having the same issue again. I figured my previous fix would work, so I cleaned off the old thermal paste, applied some fresh Artic Silver 5, cleaned out the fans, etc. It appeared to have worked for about a week or so, and now I'm getting the random shut-offs again.

I downloaded a few temperature monitoring programs to see to what extent the GPU was overheating. Both PC Wizard and MSI Afterburner were unable to detect the GPU's temperatures, GPU-Z did work however. I am having difficulty understanding the measures because it is displaying three different temperatures, two of which which idle around 66°C (not great but it's a laptop GPU), and the third idles at 81°C (see picture below).

I attempted to test the temperatures in a game. In Dota2, I reached ~122°C on the "high" measure, and in Far Cry 3 I reached nearly 140°C, which seems exorbitantly high. Is it possible that whatever part of the chip is responsible for monitoring the temperature is bugged and showing higher than accurate temperatures? I ask because while my computer does get warm when gaming, it does not feel quite that hot. I also do not get any graphical artifacts, which I thought were a symptom of an overheating GPU.

I am running Windows 8 (not 8.1) and the GPU is a ATI Mobility Radeon 5870M (mobile card, not desktop). I can provide more information about my system if necessary.

 

[Ketchup]

What model laptop is this?

What is the fan setup like (e.g. one fan for two heatsinks, etc)?

 

[demonred]

It's a Sager 8760 which is basically a rebranded Clevo W870CU.

As for the fan setup, it looks like the following (not my picture, but it's identical to what mine looks like):

There is another heatsink/fan for the CPU, which looks almost identical.

Edit: My mistake, the above picture is of the CPU, but the GPU setup looks pretty much identical, just mirrored.

 

[Ketchup]

Cool, how are the CPU temps? Have you tried a laptop cooler?

Are you sure both fans are actually running?

 

[demonred]

Cool, how are the CPU temps? Have you tried a laptop cooler?

CPU temps are pretty ok. Idles at around 62 Celsius and when gaming it rarely goes over 70. This might seem a little high, but again, this is a laptop so everything runs a little hotter.

I haven't tried a cooler, but I have a ~7 inch fan pointed at the bottom of my computer. It seemed to have helped the overheating a little bit, but it's clearly not enough.

Both fans seem to be working, the temperature monitoring program shows the speeds going up to 100% when gaming, I am assuming that it would not show anything if it was malfunctioning.

 

[Ketchup]

Ok, let's assume for a moment that the temp graph on this page is near what you should expect on your laptop:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6343/avadirect-clevo-p170em-amds-hd-7970m-got-game/8

If the graph in your first post is idle temps, there is a problem.

My suggestion? Now that you have a good temp monitor, re-apply thermal paste again, and make note of the temps.

Do you carry the laptop around a lot? Because to me, it sounds a bit like one of the heatsink connections could be getting loose, as it seems to behave once you take it apart and reassemble.

 

[Virgorising]

Ok, let's assume for a moment that the temp graph on this page is near what you should expect on your laptop:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/6343/avadirect-clevo-p170em-amds-hd-7970m-got-game/8

If the graph in your first post is idle temps, there is a problem.

My suggestion? Now that you have a good temp monitor, re-apply thermal paste again, and make note of the temps.

Do you carry the laptop around a lot? Because to me, it sounds a bit like one of the heatsink connections could be getting loose, as it seems to behave once you take it apart and reassemble.

I agree you have overheating problem, even for a lappy.

But pointing a fan at the bottom of a lappy does almost nothing compared with what Ketchup79 suggested: a good, hopefully aluminum cooler with two good fans.

I no longer use my lappy, but when when I did, I bought it a nice Bytecc one......and it made a huge difference. Forget, the newer and thinner the lappy, the more danger it is re overheating. Esp given you are a gamer.
__________________________________________________
Now not sure if Bytecc makes what i got anymore, but this looks pretty impressive:

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Ma...owViewpoints=1

Read esp the detailed review posted by the gamer.

 

[demonred]

My suggestion? Now that you have a good temp monitor, re-apply thermal paste again, and make note of the temps.

Do you carry the laptop around a lot? Because to me, it sounds a bit like one of the heatsink connections could be getting loose, as it seems to behave once you take it apart and reassemble.

I don't carry it around at all, sadly the battery went fubar on me (somehow expanded outward by two inches and took out my hard drive with it) so I'm pretty much using it as a desktop replacement at this point.

It is possible that I might have knocked something loose while I was putting it back together, so I'll take a look and see if anything is out of place.

I agree you have overheating problem, even for a lappy.

But pointing a fan at the bottom of a lappy does almost nothing compared with what Ketchup79 suggested: a good, hopefully aluminum cooler with two good fans.

I no longer use my lappy, but when when I did, I bought it a nice Bytecc one......and it made a huge difference. Forget, the newer and thinner the lappy, the more danger it is re overheating. Esp given you are a gamer.
__________________________________________________
Now not sure if Bytecc makes what i got anymore, but this looks pretty impressive:

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Ma...owViewpoints=1

Read esp the detailed review posted by the gamer.

I've thought about purchasing a good cooler, but at this point in my laptop's life cycle I am debating whether it is worth it. I've had it for around 3.5 years, which is pretty exceptional for a gaming laptop. It might just be past the point of easily fixing. That being said, I'll definitely keep a cooler in mind.

Is it at all possible that the GPU is reporting its temperatures incorrectly and that is causing the issues? I feel like if the GPU was really running at 140°C, it shouldn't be able to do that for 30+ minutes before finally shutting off.

 

[Virgorising]

I've thought about purchasing a good cooler, but at this point in my laptop's life cycle I am debating whether it is worth it. I've had it for around 3.5 years, which is pretty exceptional for a gaming laptop. It might just be past the point of easily fixing. That being said, I'll definitely keep a cooler in mind.

Please do. Given what they cost, might well be worth it.

Is it at all possible that the GPU is reporting its temperatures incorrectly and that is causing the issues? I feel like if the GPU was really running at 140°C, it shouldn't be able to do that for 30+ minutes before finally shutting off.

Yes, those temps are off the hook, but may well be accurate; some systems can endure torture longer than others. I would get another app and run it. I use this one among others:

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

It is possible that I might have knocked something loose while I was putting it back together, so I'll take a look and see if anything is out of place.

By all means do that! Ketchup79 suggested, and what you now share could confirm what he suspected.

 

[demonred]

Please do. Given what they cost, might well be worth it.



Yes, those temps are off the hook, but may well be accurate; some systems can endure torture longer than others. I would get another app and run it. I use this one among others:

http://www.cpuid.com/softwares/hwmonitor.html

Just installed that, and it isn't detecting my GPU.

I had the same issue with PC Wizard, SpeedFan, and MSI Afterburner; none of them would show my GPU temps. The only one that would work was GPU-Z, which is why I'm a little bit suspicious of the results.

 

[Virgorising]

I don't carry it around at all, sadly the battery went fubar on me (somehow expanded outward by two inches and took out my hard drive with it) so I'm pretty much using it as a desktop replacement at this point.

It is possible that I might have knocked something loose while I was putting it back together, so I'll take a look and see if anything is out of place.



I've thought about purchasing a good cooler, but at this point in my laptop's life cycle I am debating whether it is worth it. I've had it for around 3.5 years, which is pretty exceptional for a gaming laptop. It might just be past the point of easily fixing. That being said, I'll definitely keep a cooler in mind.

Is it at all possible that the GPU is reporting its temperatures incorrectly and that is causing the issues? I feel like if the GPU was really running at 140°C, it shouldn't be able to do that for 30+ minutes before finally shutting off.

Just installed that, and it isn't detecting my GPU.

I had the same issue with PC Wizard, SpeedFan, and MSI Afterburner; none of them would show my GPU temps. The only one that would work was GPU-Z, which is why I'm a little bit suspicious of the results.

That....is very odd. Maybe you have fussy sensors:'(. I just found this one, apparently not compatible with 8, only W7, and I know you are running W8. But perhaps worth a try anyhow, not certain:

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2089/real-temp-3-70/

But I believe GPU-Z is accurate. I would like to know yr fans speeds, and yr app is not displaying those.

Yr card is very demanding to begin with:

Due to the high power consumption of the Mobility Radeon HD 5870, the GPU is only suited for large laptops with good (and possibly loud) cooling solutions. According to AMD, the performance per watt and the idle power consumption have both been improved thanks to Memory Clock Scaling and Clock Gating. Furthermore, the chip supports PowerXpress (with AMD chipset) and Switchable Graphics (Intel) to switch between dedicated and integrated graphics.

 

[demonred]

That....is very odd. Maybe you have fussy sensors:'(. I just found this one, apparently not compatible with 8, only W7, and I know you are running W8. But perhaps worth a try anyhow, not certain:

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2089/real-temp-3-70/

But I believe GPU-Z is accurate. I would like to know yr fans speeds, and yr app is not displaying those.

No dice. It's not showing the GPU temps, and when I go into the settings, the box for the GPU is grayed out.

 

[Virgorising]

Well I am outta GPU monitoring apps at this point. But the one which is working really is considered accurate.

Do you have up to date drivers for yr ATI mobility card?

ATI Catalyst?
​

 

[demonred]

Well I am outta GPU monitoring apps at this point. But the one which is working really is considered accurate.

Do you have

ATI Catalyst?
​

Nope, is there a place I can download the latest version? I've always had issues with AMD's software/firmware, because they tailor it all to the desktop chips. At this point my GPU's firmware is probably nearly two years old and I haven't seen any updates.

 

[Virgorising]

Nope, is there a place I can download the latest version? I've always had issues with AMD's software/firmware, because they tailor it all to the desktop chips. At this point my GPU's firmware is probably nearly two years old and I haven't seen any updates.

I will delve. Can U identify yr current firmware number? Is it beyond 11.12? But no matter, with yr current firmware you din get CCC?

 

[Virgorising]

Are you running W8 64 bit? I assumed, but not sure and important to know. This new one works with 7, 8 and 8.1 but i pasted the 64 bit version.

I found this just now:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop?os=Windows+7+-+64

Pls be careful in this.

 

[demonred]

I will delve. Can U identify yr current firmware number? Is it beyond 11.12? But no matter, with yr current firmware you din get CCC?

The driver version appears to be 8.97.10.6 according to the device manager. I can attempt to get the newest version through Windows update, that may fix something?

 

[Virgorising]

The driver version appears to be 8.97.10.6 according to the device manager. I can attempt to get the newest version through Windows update, that may fix something?

OMG, yr drivers are very old! Are you saying yr system is not fully patched?

Yes, while what I found and linked you to, remember, the 64-bit version.... are the newest (13.11 Beta) and you would get the CCC, and could see things, change things like fan speed---what W Update provides is safer and tested.

But yr heat remains the issue. Pls check on if something is loose as per Ketchup79....esp given yr little accident with yr battery.

 

[demonred]

OMG, yr drivers are very old! Are you saying yr system is not fully patched?

Yes, while what I found and linked you to, remember, the 64-bit version.... are the newest and you would get the CCC, and could see things, change things like fan speed---what W Update provides is safer and tested.

The issue is that the notebook drivers are rarely updated, and when they are, it's no guarantee that they will be compatible with each version of the card. I just checked and the driver is dated 7/25/2012.

I know that I played around with this quite a while back when I was trying to get Witcher 2 to work, and none of the "recent" drivers I could download worked for me, even the ones marked for the 5800m series of GPUs.

Thanks for all of your help, I really appreciate it.

 

[Virgorising]

The issue is that the notebook drivers are rarely updated, and when they are, it's no guarantee that they will be compatible with each version of the card.

I know that I played around with this quite a while back when I was trying to get Witcher 2 to work, and none of the "recent" drivers I could download worked for me, even the ones marked for the 5800m series of GPUs.

Pls slow down and use the link and read. What I linked you to is GPU & OS specific. Not that that means they will function.

And again, are you saying yr system is not fully patched? If so, I would put that right immediately. Being a gamer don mean you should play Russian Roulette games with MS patches.

And as YOU suggested, W Updates may have included some working, updated drivers for yr card.

Again, are you running 64 bit?

And no thanks necessary, I hope we end up with a healthier, cooler running system....but one thing at a time re troubleshooting.

 

[Virgorising]

Heads up:
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

This page at AMD has an interactive tool you can download, and have AMD read yr system for compatible drivers. Does it work? I have no clue. But it might be worth a try, given you have the mobile card.

But again, FIRST, I would go to W Update and get whatever patches you are missing, if my take you are in arrears on this is accurate.

 

[demonred]

Heads up:
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download

This page at AMD has an interactive tool you can download, and have AMD read yr system for compatible drivers. Does it work? I have no clue. But it might be worth a try, given you have the mobile card.

But again, FIRST, I would go to W Update and get whatever patches you are missing, if my take you are in arrears on this is accurate.

The interactive tool didn't really work, but I managed to download some sort of mobile driver. Not sure if it is the correct one, but it seems to have installed without any obvious errors, and I'm in the process of testing it.

So far the biggest difference I can see is that all of the programs that were previously not getting the GPU temps are now getting them.

Interesting thing is that they do not match the GPU-Z temperature. The values are as follows:

• HWMonitor: 64°C
• PC Wizard: 64°C
• SpeedFan: 64°C
• MSI Afterburner: 64°C
• GPU-Z: 80°C

Seems like there is something fishy going on with the GPU-Z measure, and that would explain why it was reporting temperatures of ~140°C.


I am now going to attempt to play Far Cry 3 for a few minutes and see how these temperatures change.

 

[Virgorising]

The interactive tool didn't really work, but I managed to download some sort of mobile driver. Not sure if it is the correct one, but it seems to have installed without any obvious errors, and I'm in the process of testing it.

OK...not surprised the interactive tool din work. Most of them don't. Crucial's WORKS.

NOW, U used the first link and downloaded those drivers for yr chip and 64 bit? Which I STILL do not know you are running, I just assumed, assuming not IDEAL.

OK assuming you got those drivers and for yr OS....EXCELLENT! The temps you can NOW READ FINALLY are waaay better!:wub:

And best of all, all the apps are consistent!!!!

But I would still spend the tiny money and get one of those excellent cooling pads.......I was so impressed re the reviews on the one I linked you to. While the new, accurate temps you can now read via decent drivers do not make yr head explode like the old metric, even tho it's a demanding card and in a lappy.....bet anything we can get them DOWN with the use of that cooling pad or one as good! THEREBY extending the life of yr lappy!

But, all's well that ends well and so far it appears it did, so..:thumbsup:

Drivers.....are important.

And congrats that you, using logic, not wishful thinking..... felt the reading was off!:thumbsup:

 

[demonred]

OK...not surprised the interactive tool din work. Most of them don't. Crucial's WORKS.

NOW, U used the first link and downloaded those drivers for yr chip and 64 bit? Which I STILL do not know you are running, I just assumed, assuming not IDEAL.

OK assuming you got those drivers and for yr OS....EXCELLENT! The temps you can NOW READ FINALLY are waaay better!:wub:

And best of all, all the apps are consistent!!!!

But I would still spend the tiny money and get one of those excellent cooling pads.......I was so impressed re the reviews on the one I linked you to.

But, all's well that ends well and so far it appears it did, so..:thumbsup:

Drivers.....are important.

Thanks a ton for helping me out. You're awesome.


This is what the temps looked like after around 40 minutes of Far Cry 3:

Highest it reached was 145°C on the faulty GPU-Z monitor and 95°C on Speedfan. Shortly after reaching this peak, I turned on my fan and surprisingly it dropped the temperatures by around 5°, which I think is pretty considerable.

I would have to play longer to tell for sure if this truly fixed the problem, but at the very least it put my heart at ease to know that the GPU wasn't really running at 140 degrees Celsius.

 

[Virgorising]

Thanks a ton for helping me out. You're awesome.


This is what the temps looked like after around 40 minutes of Far Cry 3:

Highest it reached was 145°C on the faulty GPU-Z monitor and 95°C on Speedfan. Shortly after reaching this peak, I turned on my fan and surprisingly it dropped the temperatures by around 5°, which I think is pretty considerable.

I would have to play longer to tell for sure if this truly fixed the problem, but at the very least it put my heart at ease to know that the GPU wasn't really running at 140 degrees Celsius.

Yes, things lookin up for sure!:biggrin: But I would still like to see that card running even cooler. And it WILL with a really good cooling pad. Bet-cha!!! The lappy could last another 10 years! Well.......

It really is my pleasure to help; the giving IS the getting.:wub: