Alienware m18x runs so hot - Steam version

[useyourhead33]

Alienware m18x runs so hot - Steam version

My laptop is supposed to be killer for games. I am running the steam version of Witcher Two.

The fan runs constantly when I play the game. I used the "recommended" settings which were - Lowest.

Am I hurting my laptop by playing while the fan runs?

I'm really OVERwhelmed by all the bios and drivers and settings ... I just want to play the game. I'm really confused about updating the BIOS or video driver. Surely that's not the problem. I just bought it 10 days ago.

Attached is the results from "Can I run this" web site. Passed just fine.


I don't know where to begin ... maybe it's normal for the fan to run constantly. Or maybe I'm supposed to disable something in the Nidivia Control Panel. It's all so confusing.

Any expert/guru that can help me?

Thanks in advance.

 

[tommy5761]

First don`t be overwhelmed just take it one step at a time and you`ll be fine
OK video drivers , you have a M18x which should have the Optimus technology which is a battery saving feature . To verify that you have this technology do the following
1. Open NVIDIA Control Panel by right clicking and empty are on your desktop
2. Select: Advanced View
3. Navigate to: Manage 3D Settings
4. Select tab entitled: Program Settings
5. Use the "Add" button to find and add the .exe file(s) for the game(s)
you would like to use the Nvidia card for
6. Select the option "High Performance NVIDIA Processor"
7. Click on "Apply"
8. Exit the NVIDIA Control Panel
These should be your video drivers http://www.geforce.com/Drivers/Results/39066
Bios updates need to come from the manufacturer of your laptop .
Yes it`s normal for the fan to run while playing the game that`s how it gets rid of the heat that the "card" generates . If you think that it`s getting too hot then you might want to consider getting a laptop cooler .
For installed software updates also go to the manufacturer of the laptop .
For 3rd party software updates like Java , Adobe Flash , and other software go to
http://www.filehippo.com/ and look to the upper right of the window and install .

For windows updates click start and then all programs find windows update and click it and follow the prompts to install the updates if there are any .

 

[Aver]

1) You can run game on way higher settings than lowest. Try different settings.
2) Yes, it's normal that your fan run constantly when you play a game that has good graphics.
3) It's doesn't matter that you just bought laptop. Check for a new drivers on nVidia site. It's very easy - there is an auto-detect feature.

 

[GuyNwah]

This game will run the GPU at 100%; it makes many laptops run hot and crank the fan up to 100%. If it does not actually overheat, it is normal.

If you get into overheating problems, you can:

Downclock the GPU. Stock clock is 620 MHz on the core, 1240 MHz on the shader. Cut back to 550/1100 or 500/1000.

Use nVidia driver 275. Because it's no longer current, you have to get it from nVidia's "beta and archived drivers" link. Later nVidia drivers (280 is the worst for it, but they all do) run the GPU overvoltage (because of DirectX 11, which this game doesn't use anyway).

 

[useyourhead33]

Thank you so doggone much! I appreciate so much that you took the time to respond.

I've never updated a video driver before.

I'm working through your recommendations. I think I was just a nervous nelly about the fan running. While researching I read that the laptop will shut down if it gets too hot ... before any damage.

I'll post back after I work through your suggestions.

Good karma to you all!

 

[GuyNwah]

You really don't need to do anything unless it alarms or shuts down. But heat with this game and a high-performance laptop like that (the GTX 580M is the equal of the desktop GTX 560 Ti, which can run as hot as 200 watts) is a good thing to be careful with.