T43-1871 CPU Critical Temperature

[CeeBee]

1. What's the typical CPU temp (operating) range?
2. What's the critical CPU temp threshold?
3. What are the typical signs of CPU overheating, once the temp goes beyond the threshold, if any?
4. Are there "simple" way to lower the CPU temp, like cleaning the fan vent (compressed air or 'dustbuster') without opening the box?

Thanks!

[ajkula66]

1. What's the typical CPU temp (operating) range?

On 533 MHz Dothans found in T43/p I'd say between 35 and 80C

2. What's the critical CPU temp threshold?

Critical temperature warning at 95C, shutdown at 100C

3. What are the typical signs of CPU overheating, once the temp goes beyond the threshold, if any?

Hot-running system, throttling...

4. Are there "simple" way to lower the CPU temp, like cleaning the fan vent (compressed air or 'dustbuster') without opening the box?

No.

Even if you were just to clean the fan, the keyboard must be removed. Make sure to stick a thin screwdriver or a toothpick between the blades so the fins themselves don't move.

Given the age of these machines, a re-paste is most definitely in order. Once you're done with that, install ThinkPad Fan Control to monitor the temperatures and undervolt the CPU with IBM ECW or NoteBook Hardware Control if needed.

Good luck.

[CeeBee]

Thanks for the summary!

Mine is a Pentium M750 Dothan with 1.86MHZ CPU. Typical boot-up temp around 50C and for light online stuff, like on this forum, +/- 60C degrees.

Checking, downloading and installing 150MB from Windows Updates, the temp goes up to 75-79C degrees. Seldom above 80 to my knowledge. So, I'm probably okay for now.

Having said that, a CPU re-paste seems like a good idea. As for temp-check, I keep an eye on both CPU and HD temps at all times. HWMonitor (from CPUID) is a good (manual) tool, in my opinion.

Again, thanks.

p.s.: on the subject, I checked the temp while doing a full image backup (using Macrium Reflect v6) of the boot drive, which required pretty heavy CPU (and HD) crunching. CPU temp hoovered in the upper 70's C range and the HD temp went up about 5-6C to 43C degrees.

[shawross]

The T43 will run hot doing what you are doing and even basic things these days. A re-paste is a good idea but you will still have a relatively hot laptop.
Being a single core CPU it will also seem unresponsive while that single core is busy.

[Hans Gruber]

Those temps may seem hot but that is inline with what I was getting on this T43p. You may want to undervolt your CPU. When I get the M10 up and running with Arctic Silver 5, I may shave off 2 or 3C.

[CeeBee]

...install ThinkPad Fan Control to monitor the temperatures...

What version of TPFanControl? Version 62 or 63? The latter deals with some Lenovo Power manager issues, presumably also on T43. The former is the current "common" version.

[ajkula66]

I have the 62 on all of my machines and am happy with it. Never tried 63.