Processor Temperature....

[AtlantaBob]

Hi all,

I have a Dell Vostro 1500 laptop that seems to be running hot. I was hoping that I could run it by the processor experts here.

The processor is a Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7100 @ 1.80GHz. It's running Ubuntu 9.04 which seems to have some history of running warm. On idle (browsing these forums), the computer is running @ 800 MHz (according to sensors-applet), and is running at ~50C to 53 C.

This seems awfully high to me. Can someone confirm? (or tell me I'm crazy)

I've looked at ubuntuforums.org, but the answers to similar questions seem to range all over the place... not quite sure I trust some of the l33t hackers there.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[chorb]

Its a little high for just browsing the internet (almost idle), but not harmful. If you're worried, try elevating the laptop off the desk, they selling the active laptop coolers for ~$20.

 

[AtlantaBob]

chorb,

Thanks. I appreciate the fast response. Sometimes I need to do some complex computations on this (grad school requires manipulating some very big matricies in python). Can you give me an temp that you might start to get worried about the temperature?

Again, thanks.

 

[mpilchfamily]

If it goes over about 65C then you may run into problems.

 

[AtlantaBob]

mpilchfamily,

Thanks for the comment. Any general thoughts on what to do to cool it down? (I've had it for a year or so, and was planning on trying the compressed air in the intake trick). Also, I was going to try to make the fans more aggressive in the BIOS, but apparently the version that shipped with the laptop doesn't have that option (one BIOS update since then, the comments don't mention anything about fan control). I didn't want to have to do the BIOS update unless folks here think it might be worth it.

 

[mpilchfamily]

Can of air may help. Depending on the conditions around the laptop there could be allot of dust in there restricting airflow. Blowing it out is about the best thing you can do. Unless you fell confident enough to pull the system apart and clean it out. But in my experience its a PITA to get it back together again. If one of the small ribbon cables in there get ripped or are not plugged in just right you will have problems.

 

[AtlantaBob]

Right. I've done my share of PC builds, but I don't feel like pulling apart a laptop. Heck, I'm hesitant enough to pull it apart to add another gig of ram under the keyboard. I may do that while I'm at it though. Anyway, many thanks!