CPU Temperature on T60

[Summer Deep]

Hello, first post from a new member here. I've got into Thinkpads in the last couple of years, and currently own a T23, R51, T60, T61 and two T430s. Anyway, straight down to business:

My T60 has the following specs: T2400 CPU, ATI Radeon x1400 graphics, 3GB RAM, Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit. The machine seems to be generally in good shape, and when I'm surfing the internet the CPU runs most of the time in the 45-55 degree range (as measured by Core Temp). Recently though I've been using it for gaming (it's the only laptop that seems able to load my Call Of Duty disc), and at the end of a session, the core temp is around 86 degrees, perhaps not surprisingly. If I then switch back to web browsing, or even just let the machine idle, the temperature will only drop back to 77-80 degrees, no matter how long I wait, which can't be doing it any good.

The strange thing is that if I do an immediate restart, the temperature drops very quickly back towards 50 degrees. In all likelihood there isn't a big problem here, but it's a bit of a pain to keep restarting, and I wonder if anyone can perhaps diagnose the issue and/or suggest a simple remedy. I don't really want to start dismantling and playing around with thermal paste at this stage, and find TP Fan Control a bit intimidating at present....

[theterminator93]

First thing I'd do is check task manager to see if there are any lingering processes using one of the cores heavily. If there is you can terminate it and see what happens to the temps without rebooting.

[ajkula66]

Have you re-pasted the system recently? If not, you should...

[Summer Deep]

First thing I'd do is check task manager to see if there are any lingering processes using one of the cores heavily. If there is you can terminate it and see what happens to the temps without rebooting.

Thanks for that! I looked in Task Manager, and there was a 'rundll32.exe' taking up around 40% of the CPU use. I analyzed it with Microsoft Process Explorer, and it was indeed linked to Call Of Duty, via 'CODSP.exe'. I terminated the rundll32 and the laptop temperature quickly fell back to normal.

Still wondering why it doesn't get closed down automatically when the game is exited though, never come across this with any other game, or on any other laptop.

Have you re-pasted the system recently? If not, you should...

I will probably be unable to resist upgrading the CPU at some point, and will do so then....