Performance drop when hot?

[damstachizz]

ok, so after some wondering as to why the hell my performance drops so badly in oblivion (occurs in other games, but much more noticeable in it), i have come to the conclusion that when my GPU (8600M GT 256m) reaches temperatures above 95 degrees C, the game slows down massively and the fan spins up to full..when the fan clocks down, i get normal performance..

most of you will think i have my GPU set to massive overclocks, right? no. my GPU is UNDERCLOCKED from the standard nvidia.

this is a major problem, because this happens with the CPU+GPU cover off, so i know no matter how much air is being thrown onto the heatsink, the GPU will STILL run hot as hell..

The temperatures do not worry me, because i KNOW the mobile nvidia graphic cards are designed to take temperatures up to 140 degrees, without risking damage..

after running GPU-Z and Rivatuner to check out what temps/clocks the GPU is running, when i get the performance drop, the GPU clocks down to the stock factory 2D levels, designed to run Windows!

 

so, the reason for this thread is,

Does anybody know how to disable the stupid thing clocking itself down?

if you don't want to help, put yourself in my shoes..

one second your strolling through the IC, at 50FPS..then all of a sudden, just as you are about to sneak kill someone because you like their clothes (:P), you discover 6FPS(!), and completely miss the person, instead hitting an imperial guard who was walking the other way, and subsequently getting thrown in jail..

 

 

any help appreciated,

'chizz.

[bben46]

A quick check on the Nvidia site, looking at the MXM chip Specifications (the chip used on the 8600 series) ''Electro_mech_spec.pdf" found on the site. This document shows thermal requirements are about the same as any other chip. 0 degrees C to 70 degrees C. The specs are probably conservative though. I can't find anything that shows an OPERATING temp of 140C. Per the same spec, (paraphrased) If the temp increases beyond the thermal limitations of the platform it will throttle the clock to bring the temp back down. The platform is the board and computer it is installed in. Even if the chip itself is Milspec (military specification, typically higher temps) and can take the high temps, it is unlikely that a computer manufacturer will spend the money on a consumer laptop to make it all Milspec. Milspec components usually cost a lot more.

 

The info for throttling is stored in one of two places, the SBIOS, or the MXM System information ROM on the motherboard. If you still want to risk frying an expensive laptop, look there to see if you can change it. Look for a geek site that mods hardware and Nvidia in particular. I don't know of one, but there is probably someone who is doing it.

 

I'm running an Nvidia 6800 in my large case, and I had to install extra cooling because it would lock up when the temps went too high while playing Oblivion.

 

I work with electronic equipment in environments up to 55C ambient (130F) At those temps, most of my equipment is installed inside of air conditioned enclosures. If I see an operating temperature on a piece of equipment staying over 70C I look for ways to cool it down. At temps over 85C I expect failures. Sales and marketing people will exaggerate technical specs to make their equipment look better. However, Engineers will usually tend to be conservative.

 

70C = 158F very hot, but not unreasonable - most newer chips can stand this temp for extended periods. You wouldn't want to run this sitting on your lap for long.

 

95C = 203 F almost boiling water temp (actually at high altitudes you can boil water at this temp) - It would burn your skin to touch the chip at this temp. But should still be working at a reduced life expectancy.

 

140C = 284F The cheaper plastic parts in your case should be melting. even if the MXM chip can stand this temp for short periods, some of the other nearby components could not. All of that heat has to go somewhere

 

Suggestions, Make sure your air passages are clear. Check to see if the fan is running in the right direction. put the laptop on something cool to play. (like a block of ice)

[damstachizz]

TEXT

 

As far as i can tell, this laptop (Asus G1S ARS) is designed to handle massive temperatures, so i think it is a milspec..

the issue i think, is the fact that the CPU and GPU both share the same heatsink, coupled to a big fast fan..

the GPU is not exposed, and the chip is shielded enough so that you can infact have it on your lap when it reaches temps of over 112c (which i have had it upto)..

the nvidia site says that for the 8600, yet after calling Asus, they say the 8600M will still be under warranty, unless they find evidence of the chip reaching temperatures above 150C..

for a company to say that about a laptop with 2 years warranty, me thinks this chip can take heat that will give you third degree burns.

 

i was going to mess around with the bios, but as per the phone call with Asus, doing so will void the warranty..

so, i'm pretty much stuck with having my laptop clock itself down when it gets hot..

not to worry, i'm looking some ways to increase cooling..

 

Laptop watercooling anyone?

[MRG]

http://www.degadget.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/sony-vaio-g-series.jpg

 

But on a serious note, here is a kit to water cool a laptop.

http://folk.ntnu.no/bardlund/hack.jsp

http://www.instructables.com/id/Watercooli...p-on-the-cheap/

 

-MRG

[Dark0ne]

I'm using an ASUS G1S right now, on my lap, on my bed. I play Oblivion, Crysis, The Witcher etc. on this laptop without problem and without temps going to the ludicrous levels you're reporting. I would do a benchmark but I really don't have the time; I'm sure there are stats out there from other people regarding the temp the G1S reaches when gaming/benchmarking. Google it.

 

Ensure the air vent at that back is never covered or close to something that would reduce airflow and ensure that there's not a load of gunks in the heatsink and fans. Apart from that I dunno!

[Vagrant0]

My vote is a fan which was installed backward. Or is this a Dell laptop?

[damstachizz]

nope, the fan is spinning the right way..pushing air out of the back.

theres no dust or anything, but as i said..this is the G1S ARS..

faster hard drive, brighter screen and the lights on the side are static, compare to the normal G1S..

also heavier, which makes me think it must be structurally reinforced on the inside.

 

the only thing i can think of is the CPU having Thermal paste on it, as i had to send this one into warranty because the sound stop working, so while it was there i asked them to apply some thermal paste on the CPU..

maybe the heatpipe is getting too hot because of the CPU?

 

anyway, theres an easy way for me to solve it, which is underclock the GPU even more, drop some of the settings down and run it on 'entertainment mode', which limits the CPU to 1.8ghz.

 

 

on a similar note, anyone know the lines to change in the .ini, to make oblivion optimise dual cores more?

[bben46]

For the best advice on optimizing, check out this site: http://www.tweakguides.com/Oblivion_1.html

He not only tells you what to change but why and what else it will affect.

 

When I was looking it up, I noticed he has updated since I was last there. I'll have to check it out myself.