fan and peformance

[watitstimefor9]

Thermal Issues & Performance Optimization

I recently acquired a gaming laptop from a friend who informed me that the CPU fan is failing. Despite his suggestion to use it as normal, I am experiencing significant thermal issues. He was also unsure if the laptop had ever been re-pasted.

Performance & Thermal Data

• Temperatures: While playing The Division 2, CPU temperatures consistently exceed 90°C, even with the fans set to Max and power profiles set to Max Performance.

• Throttling: I initially get around 100 FPS, but during combat or heavy action, the frame rate fluctuates wildly due to thermal throttling.

• Diagnostics: The GPU fan sounds healthy at high RPM, but the CPU fan is clearly failing. I have already ordered a replacement fan.

System Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H (10th Gen)

• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 (8GB VRAM)

• RAM: 32GB

• Storage: 512GB SSD

Planned Maintenance & Cooling

I currently have Arctic MX-6 on hand, but I am considering using a Honeywell PTM7950 thermal pad instead, as I’ve heard it may offer better long-term performance for gaming laptops. My goal is to optimize my games to be more GPU-bound to reduce the stress on the overheating CPU.

Primary Game Library

I intend to use this laptop for the following titles:

• Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

• Zenless Zone Zero

• Team Fortress 2

• Roblox

• R.E.P.O.

• Phasmophobia

• Left 4 Dead 2

Also here is the link of the cpu fan i got from amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHNSH9Q4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

[70007]

Hello Watitstimefor9,

Thank you for posting your concern,

It's important to address thermal issues in gaming laptops to prevent potential hardware damage and ensure optimal performance. Here’s a detailed guide on diagnosing and managing these thermal issues:

Steps to Address Thermal Issues:

1. Immediate Actions:

   • Monitor Temperatures: Use software like HWMonitor, Core Temp, or MSI Afterburner to keep track of CPU and GPU temperatures.
   • Reduce Load: Lower in-game settings or enable FPS caps to reduce the CPU and GPU load.

2. Hardware Inspection and Maintenance:

   • Clean the Vents and Fans: Accumulated dust can block airflow. Use compressed air to clean the vents and fans.
   • Check Physical Condition: Since the fan is reportedly failing, inspect it manually if possible. A replacement fan may be necessary.

3. Repaste the CPU/GPU:

   • Thermal Paste Application: If the laptop has never been re-pasted, consider applying new thermal paste. This can significantly improve heat transfer from the CPU and GPU to their respective heatsinks.
   • Professional Help: If you're not comfortable doing this yourself, take it to a professional service center.

4. Cooling Enhancements:

   • Cooling Pads: Use an external cooling pad. These can help improve airflow and reduce temperatures by a few degrees.
   • Elevate the Laptop: Elevating the back of the laptop can improve airflow.

5. Optimize Power Settings and Software:

   • Adjust Power Settings: Sometimes using 'Balanced' mode can prevent excessive overheating compared to 'High Performance'.
   • Update Drivers: Ensure all drivers, especially GPU and chipset, are up-to-date.
   • Adjust Fan Controls If Available: Some laptops come with utilities that allow additional customization of fan speeds beyond BIOS settings.

6. Long-term Hardware Considerations:

   • Consider an Upgrade: If the laptop is older or not designed to handle demanding games, consider upgrading components, where possible, or invest in a more capable device.

Professional Assistance:

Given the recurring high temperatures and a potentially failing fan, it might be wise to consult a professional technician to evaluate and replace any faulty components. Ensuring effective cooling is critical for the longevity and performance of gaming laptops.

For ongoing or severe issues, contacting HP support or an authorized service provider can provide additional diagnostics and repair services tailored for your specific model.

[kimkorton36]

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@watitstimefor9 wrote:

Thermal Issues & Performance Optimization

I recently acquired a gaming laptop from a friend who informed me that the CPU fan is failing. Despite his suggestion to use it as normal, I am experiencing significant thermal issues. He was also unsure if the laptop had ever been re-pasted.

Performance & Thermal Data

• Temperatures: While playing The Division 2, CPU temperatures consistently exceed 90°C, even with the fans set to Max and power profiles set to Max Performance.

• Throttling: I initially get around 100 FPS, but during combat or heavy action, the frame rate fluctuates wildly due to thermal throttling.

• Diagnostics: The GPU fan sounds healthy at high RPM, but the CPU fan is clearly failing. Right now, the performance swings are so unpredictable that using it feels about as uncertain as checking a snowday predictor before a big storm you have an estimate of what might happen, but once the load increases, things can change fast. My goal is to optimize my games to be more GPU-bound to reduce the stress on the overheating CPU. I have already ordered a replacement fan.

System Specifications

• CPU: Intel Core i7-10750H (10th Gen)

• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3070 (8GB VRAM)

• RAM: 32GB

• Storage: 512GB SSD

Planned Maintenance & Cooling

I currently have Arctic MX-6 on hand, but I am considering using a Honeywell PTM7950 thermal pad instead, as I’ve heard it may offer better long-term performance for gaming laptops. My goal is to optimize my games to be more GPU-bound to reduce the stress on the overheating CPU.

Primary Game Library

I intend to use this laptop for the following titles:

• Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

• Zenless Zone Zero

• Team Fortress 2

• Roblox

• R.E.P.O.

• Phasmophobia

• Left 4 Dead 2

Also here is the link of the cpu fan i got from amazon 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHNSH9Q4?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

---

I’m actually in a really similar situation and had the same questions when I picked up a used gaming laptop recently. My CPU temps were also spiking past 90°C under load, and even with fans maxed out and performance mode enabled, I’d see solid FPS at first and then massive drops once thermal throttling kicked in. In my case too, the GPU seemed fine acoustically, but the CPU fan clearly wasn’t behaving normally. So I totally get your concern  running it “as normal” doesn’t really feel safe when you’re consistently that close to thermal limits.

I’m also debating between using a high-quality paste like Arctic MX-6 versus something like Honeywell PTM7950 for better long-term stability, especially in a laptop chassis where heat density is high. Like you, I’m trying to shift more load onto the GPU by tweaking in-game settings to ease pressure on the CPU, particularly in CPU-heavy titles. I’d really like to know what others recommend in terms of repasting vs thermal pads for longevity and whether undervolting or power limiting the i7-10750H made a noticeable difference without killing performance. Curious to hear what solution ends up working best for you too.