Dell xps 15 - Overheating and shutdown problem before thermal paste, and fps drop problem after

Ngml

Reputable
Jul 28, 2014
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4,510
Hello there. I checked the forum and i couldn't find exactly the same problem. although the title can explain a lot, but here is what happened:
i'v got a ~3 years old xps 15 and i haven't had any problem at almost a year. there was overheating problem yes but no shutting down. I'm a gamer (i play mostly world of warcraft), after a while my laptop started to shutdown because of overheating, i didn't have any fps problem then, just a sudden shutdown. i tried cleaning and coolpads and it worked for some time, but when it got intolerable i attempted to reapply the thermal paste. i did it for both CPU and VGA chip. although the thermal paste wasn't so desirable brand but it was something.
it was like one problem solved and another born. laptop won't shut down anymore and it's overheating problem is reduced as well. but, my new problem is i get a huge fps drop when i go to messy places(it drops to 10-15 which used to be normally over 40). i check my CPU usage in resource monitor, and VGA and CPU temperature by SpeedFan program.
The graphic temperature in messy places is around 80-85 which i know it's high but why it didn't cause fps problem before and i'm pretty sure that the temperature was almost the same before that. if it is high why not just shut the laptop off like before?
actually i don't think VGA overheating may cause laptop shutting down at all. i think it was the CPU overheating which caused that. since the CPU temperature is dropped so well after thermal paste reapplying (around 60-70 degrees ,and 30-45% usage) in messy places so the laptop won't shut down.
with all that said, what do you think is the reason of fps Drop? is it thermal paste poor material? is it bad applying? is my laptop dying?
my system info:


Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: XPS L501X
BIOS: Ver 1.00 BIOS A08 PARTTBLb
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 740 @ 1.73GHz (8 CPUs), ~1.7GHz
Memory: 6144MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 6076MB RAM
Page File: 2793MB used, 9357MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11

display:
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GT 435M
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GT 435M
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DF2&SUBSYS_046E1028&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4046 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1998 MB
Shared Memory: 2047 MB
Current Mode: 1366 x 768 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor

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Thanks
 

snowctrl

Distinguished
Any warranty? I'm so sick of people being sold laptops that overheat...

You could try the old trick of mounting your laptop on a small book instead of directly on the desk... but if your system is getting so hot it bluescreens..... Dell should deal with it (don't tell them you took it apart...)
 

ichigokunbaka

Distinguished
Jul 18, 2010
157
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18,710
have a go at custom cooling design . i have the same laptop if i was to need better cooling i would remove bottom panel and run a large fan via usb under the system you could also super glue giant copper heat sinks where ever needed