Thinkpads Forum

Hi everyone,

I have both an X300 and X301. Both are quite loud (fan noise) with the X300 being significantly louder, likely because it runs much hotter than the X301.

Does anyone know what a safe CPU temperature is for both the X300 and X301 - what can these chips handle? I currently have my TPFanControl Settings as follows:

Level=38 0
Level=40 1
Level=50 1
Level=55 1
Level=65 3
Level=70 128
Level=75 64

Level 1 is essentially inaudible. The fan spins at about ~1900 RPM but you cannot hear it even if you put it right to your ear. I can feel a faint bit of exhaust coming out, which is the only reason I assume it is working (could be placebo). With this setting the X300 only spins up to level 3 (about ~5100 RPM) if it is under heavy load, and within a minute or two switches back to Level 1 as the temperature gets under 55c.

The X300 on the other hand is easier to heat up, so I have adjusted TPFanControl to spin to Level 2 (which for some reason is the same RPM, ~5200, as Level 3 on the X301) when it hits 67c, and spin back down to level 1 at 60.

Are either of these setups too hot? Using bios mode, the fan is CONSTANTLY spinning at +5000 RPM which drives me absolutely nuts. It was my biggest beef with both my T42 and T43p - the fan exhaust was just too constant and loud.

As setup, the fan is almost never spinning over Level 1 and is for all intents and purposes, silent (especially with the SSD).

Thanks

Hello,

if the maximum temperature your CPU reaches is 67°C under heavy load, then in my opinion it is well within acceptable limits and I think this applies to both of your Thinkpads, as they have very similar CPUs.
Provided, of course, your notebooks are not under heavy load all the time.
But please keep in mind - this is only my estimation.

Regards,
amue

Using TPfancontrol, I have my X300 set to fan speed 1 until the CPU exceeds 65C. It's a shame that the BIOS does not have a more graduated fan speed option, anything over 1 is too noisy. Fortunately with normal use it rarely goes over 60C.