T42 - Gaming / Heat Question

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MikeZ · #1 Post by **MikeZ** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:01 pm

Hi, I have the 2378R4U model... 1.6ghz, 256mb, ATI 7500...

I was scared to play any video-heavy games before upgrading my ram, so I was giving Starcraft a try. Starcraft runs perfectly fine on my laptop, no skips, delays, or choppiness. But I do notice extremely hot air coming out of the left side (keyboard and everything else is normal temp., just the left side [where the air comes out?]) is hot.

Can someone offer some advice on this? Is this heat normal for a game like starcraft? Would it get better after i upgrade the ram? Should I get another fan? Any help would be appreciated. thanks

IAmTheEvilest · #2 Post by **IAmTheEvilest** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:26 pm

It is normal for the computer to run warmer when it is under a higher load. Upgrading the RAM is unlikely to reduce the amount of heat, unless it is generated by the hard drive having to use virtual memory (which I doubt, since Starcraft is a pretty old game).

Thinker · #3 Post by **Thinker** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:37 pm

That's your GPU sweating

I downloaded MobileMeter to monitor the changes in temperature according to using different applications. In my T23, the average temperature when I am browsing is about 43 degrees. However, if I am in a long page and I scroll really fast for a while the temperature goes up a few degrees. When using After Effects, the temperature quickly rises. When it reaches 76 degrees the fan kicks in, and shuts off at 45 degrees.

MikeZ · #4 Post by **MikeZ** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:47 pm

thanks for the replies...

should i be worried about the extra heat? should i stop playing starcraft on my laptop?

Thinker · #5 Post by **Thinker** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:51 pm

Download MobileMeter, and set it to "Always On Top". Then play Starcraft and see how the temperature evolves. You should not be able to damage your computer, even when operating intensive software for long periods. If anything, you might shorten the useful life slightly, but if everything is well your T42 should be able to handle whatever you throw at it.

However, I tend to be protective of my Thinkpads, specially when they are new.

MikeZ · #6 Post by **MikeZ** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:52 pm

Im 100% sure it's starcraft raising the temp. of my laptop. But at what temperature should I realize im crossing too far beyond the line?

MikeZ · #7 Post by **MikeZ** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 10:58 pm

I just ran starcraft and left it running for 5 minutes...temp jumped up to 65c, is this bad?

Thinker · #8 Post by **Thinker** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:02 pm

When you cross the line your computer should shut down automatically to protect itself. Sort of like when you get burned with a flame and your reflexes make you instinctively withdraw away from it.

I don't know what temperature would be considered to be in the red zone, but I personally wouldn't be comfortable having my CPU running over 85 degrees for extended periods of time. If you have a warranty from IBM (err...Lenovo

) don't be too concerned though, because if the computer is damaged within your warranty period because of overheating they would have to fix it.

I wonder if some program exists that actually measures the GPU temperature, since I consider this a more critical component. Supposing you were out of warranty, if your CPU is fried you just need to replace the CPU (upgrade it if you will), but if your GPU dies you need to replace the whole motherboard.

Thinker · #9 Post by **Thinker** » Thu Jun 02, 2005 11:04 pm

MikeZ wrote:I just ran starcraft and left it running for 5 minutes...temp jumped up to 65c, is this bad?

I don't think so. Try running it for 30 minutes (don't let it run iddle, but play with it to make the GPU work as it usually would).

liquidicecube · #10 Post by **liquidicecube** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 12:10 am

Same behavior here, running SC... temps around 65C. I find it hard to believe the GPU is really doing much work in this game, because it was released before there were any GPUs...

IIRC, it uses DirectX and therefore, should get some hardware accelleration regardless, but a 20 degree jump? Seems excessive...

MikeZ · #11 Post by **MikeZ** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:10 am

thanks for all the replies.

can someone explain to me what the GPU is? or what it measures?

Just got my thinkpad couple months ago, im a newbie

Thinker · #12 Post by **Thinker** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 1:17 am

MikeZ,

GPU is just a fancy name for the Graphics Card (in your case the ATI Radeon 7500 Mobility).

Steve007 · #13 Post by **Steve007** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:51 am

MikeZ wrote:I just ran starcraft and left it running for 5 minutes...temp jumped up to 65c, is this bad?

Stop [censored] yourself. Your machine will inevitably use more resources when playing a game, it's normal! Your machine won't melt, it won't blow up and it won't invalidate your warranty.

MikeZ · #14 Post by **MikeZ** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 2:31 pm

Steve007 wrote:
MikeZ wrote:I just ran starcraft and left it running for 5 minutes...temp jumped up to 65c, is this bad?
Stop [censored] yourself. Your machine will inevitably use more resources when playing a game, it's normal! Your machine won't melt, it won't blow up and it won't invalidate your warranty.

exactly what i wanted to know, thanks.

GoEatFood · #15 Post by **GoEatFood** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 4:08 pm

I've been playing AA on my laptop and it runs prefectly fine except for one level that is a bit laggy due to high graphics demands...my desktop with 128mbs of mem works fine though..my laptop has a 64mb card...

anyways, it is prefectly normal a temp jump like that...mine runs at about 60 with dynamic switching while playin AA

T42 - Gaming / Heat Question

T42 - Gaming / Heat Question

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