Thinkpads Forum

Apologies if this should be in the utility section of the forum, but that seemed a little disused, and forum searches didn't reveal any settings specific to this model.

I've got a T400 with switchable ATI graphics, and when I'm at work I'm usually running a second monitor from the VGA out. I'm trying to get to a point of balance between the fan running and system heat, as I figure it's probably not the best to keep the fan in a near constant state all day. I'm nowhere near running into heat problems--as far as I know, the P8700 I've got has a max operating temp of 100C, which seems a little excessive. I think the ATI graphics are similarly rated. I'd like to keep the thing running in the upper 40's without creeping up into the 50's, but that may be impractical. So, for all you T400 users with discrete graphics of any sort, what settings do you use?

Mine are:
Level=45 0
Level=49 2
Level=53 3
Level=57 5
Level=60 64

Does anyone use level 1 at all? In my experimenting it seems like it only really works to maintain a certain temperature, but doesn't really have much cooling use especially on temps above 40C or so.

I do quite the converse; I like to keep my fan spinning constantly at at least level 1.
Supposedly, it's bad for motors to repeatedly spin them up from 0RPM. Something about electrical resistance.

I have a passive cooling mode in case I need to leave it on overnight in my room and keep it quiet but cool:
Level=35 1
Level=45 1
Level=50 2
Level=52 3
Level=54 4
Level=56 5
Level=58 6
Level=60 7
Level=90 64

And an aggressive profile for regular usage or gaming (although for gaming, I usually lock it in at 7.)
Level2=35 1
Level2=37 1
Level2=39 2
Level2=44 3
Level2=55 7
Level2=66 64
Level2=77 128

Thanks for the response. I tried switching my settings up a little bit to reduce the spin up/spin down instances, as you suggested. They seem to be working a bit better, actually--a near-constant Fan 1 seems to keep the system in the low 40's during the workday, which is just fine by me.