- The laptop tends to run on the warm side, even under modest load, such as playing a YouTube vid, where 65C to 70C is rather typical.
When the load is removed, the laptop takes several minutes to return to "normal" idle temps.
Idle temps are strongly dependent on the ambient temperature, but I typically see 49-52C.
The fan speed mainly stays between 3500 and 3600 RPM pretty much all the time, with little variation, regardless of load.
I can not feel any air movement from the exhaust ports.
If I orient the keyboard so that it is vertical, and lay a square of toilet tissue on top of the exhaust port, there is no deflection of the paper, due to air movement, whatsoever.
If I place my ear at the exhaust port, I can hear the fan motor running ... it's definitely the fan, since the HDD has been replaced by a SSD.
In the UEFI I have the power/fan control set to maximum performance on AC, but I never, ever hear the fan, except by placing my ear at/on the exhaust port, nor can I feel any exhaust flow. The exhaust heat doesn't so much blow out, as radiate out.
By the way, this machine is fitted with the original i5-2520M CPU and has Intel integrated graphics.
Honestly, it's only by installing a SSD and a very light weight Linux distribution, that the machine is usable at all. With Windows, or a "heavy" Linux desktop, the machine runs stupid hot. Initially I figured that it was just getting old, but when I read tales of folks installing 45W i7 CPUs in the T420, this leads me to believe that mine definitely has a problem.
I am anxious to hear your experience/observations with your T420, before spending any money. Also, if I need a new fan, is there a better option than the stock i5 / integrated graphics model?
Thanks in advance for your help!!!