Normal CPU and HDD temperature levels for X31?

[petko8680]

hi there,
was wondering about normal temperature levels of the X31 as mine reaches about 55-60 celsius of CPU and about 48 celsius of HDD whe room temperature is 22-25 celsius.

[mikemex]

That's normal I think, the X31 was a hot model... the X32 (essentially the same just using Dothan) with 2.0 GHz Pentium M had overheating issues from start.

[petko8680]

But is this "healthy" for the CPU and HDD?! and is there any way to cool it down a bit?

[mikemex]

You can dissasemble it, re-apply thermal paste and clean the heatsink grill. It will probably lower the temperature a few degrees. It takes time but it's not difficult if you do it carefuly.

Remember that this model has discrete graphics and it increases power consumption. If you open it up remember to do the same to the graphics core.

[petko8680]

thanks for informing. Is there an article or post in the forum where i can see the whole process of disassembling and especially applying the thermal paste?

[jronald]

Get a copy of the HMM (Hardware Maint. Manuel) from Lenovo. It has a breakdown, of the breakdown.
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-44018
You can also try Notebook Hardware Control
http://www.pbus-167.com/
Typically, NHC is more aggressive than the IBM scheme and overall the system will run cooler. All of my machines, donated or not, get NHC.

Ron

[mikemex]

Yeah, besides of cleaning you can also try underclocking, I did that back when I had my X31 with good results.

[petko8680]

So, NHC is actually a software which will underclock the CPU. But is it good for people without skills in it, as I never done it before and also will it make the X31 works slower? cheers

[mikemex]

You can underclock with it but I made a mistake, what I meant is undervolt... you don't lose performance from undervolting.

[petko8680]

I see. But if I undervolt it performance will be better than it's now or will only decrese temperature levels?

[twistero]

Undervolting does not change performance because the speed is still the same. It only reduces heat.

[petko8680]

OK. so will install NHC and undervolt it. BTW can I damage the x31 in any way when using NHC?

[jronald]

Dont worry about the undervolt UNTILL you have run NHC in its native form. I think you will be happy. Its pretty aggressive in both the downshifting of the CPU and the upshifting. I never notice it working, but always notice how much cooler the units run, while it is working. Install it and forget messing with it for awhile.

Ron

[petko8680]

OK. WIll try it then and let you know with the results

P.S. should i open it for a clean then?!

[jronald]

Try it, you you can always go back and re apply the goop.

Ron

[petko8680]

So, downloaded the NHC( the older version from 2007, no the BETA one), but don't know how to configure it. Will really appreciate if someone can help me.

[jronald]

Not much to configure, Install and monitor to begin with.

Ron

[petko8680]

Did it, but haven't noticed any change- same temp. levels. Was wondering how to choose the right voltage setting, as it says that improper voltage will cause the system to become unstable. It's now set up as dynamic I think as CPU voltage is constantly changing

[mpcook]

I used NHC on an X31 but it was quite a while ago and I remember at that time I could not find specific info on voltage settings. I believe I used trial and error by just reducing voltage settings slightly, trying it for a while, then lowering a bit more and trying again. Just minor reduction in voltage can help temps, and your X31 should be stable. There may well be postings on here with trial settings for X31 but you will have to search back a way. I had several X31's and used NHC with undervolting successfully to control the temps. Never noticed any difference in performance. And of course, clean out the dust as well.

[petko8680]

It might sounds weird, but where should I apply the thermal paste to? Sorry for asking such things but have never done it before and also don't know where to find the CPU as well cheers

[RealBlackStuff]

Download the HMM here: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-44018
Full of descriptions and illustrated as well.
When taking it apart, make a sketch of where the screwholes are, and tape the screws on the matching spot.
The CPU sits under the fan/heatsink (about 1 square cm).
After cleaning both CPU and heatsink with isopropyl alcohol 91%, apply Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste, but only on the CPU's small shiny surface that you just cleaned.
An amount the size of a rice corn should do it. Spread that out evenly with e.g. an old credit card.
Reassemble.
Enjoy.

[petko8680]

Thanks. Do you know where to buy the thermal paste from?

P.S. found this one on ebay. just need to know is it the one i am looking for:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5-x-High-Qual ... 3a782c72c8

or this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-1G-SILVER-T ... 2ebc5ad1c2

P.S 2. Just disassembled the x31, but couldn't completely remove the fan( was stuck on one side) and put it back till I get the thermal paste. Can I still use the netbook or need to wait till the new thermal paste is applied?

[RealBlackStuff]

You should be able to get that in the likes of Maplin.
Or get it from eBay: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arctic-Silver ... 1041658318

If there is still enough old thermal paste left, and it is not all dried out, you can use it.
Otherwise I'd advise to wait.

[petko8680]

OK. thanks

[petko8680]

BTW how can i know if the ceramique 2 by Arctic Silver did its job? I am asking as after 4 hours of playing songs on youtube and doing nothing else, CPU temp. reached 67°( that's after applying the new thermal compound)

[mikemex]

Video decoding is demaning on an X31. I'm not surprised it reaches 67 degrees at all.

I told you, it's a hot model.

[petko8680]

So, even with newly applied themal compound it's normal for the x31 to reach those temp levels, isn't it. As I was thinking I haven't applied the thermal compound properly. Will leave for couple of days and if no improvement will try to set up the voltage through NHC- only problem is that I don't know which would be the right voltage so that system can remain stable.

[mikemex]

It should improve a little as the compound settles. I'm talking about a couple of degrees at most.

You best bet is to try undervolting. Tell us what processor you have.

[petko8680]

My processor is Mobile Intel Pentium M 1400MHz(14x100) Banias, Min/Max Multipliers 6x/14x
Hope that helps

[mikemex]

There is a guide with suggested values here:

http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Pentium_M ... erclocking

Pentium-M Banias
1.6
1212,1084,956,860,796,748

You should be able to start from there and experiment. What I did was open prime95 and lower it on steps until it gave an error and then fall back two notches.