Acer Aspire TimelineX 4820TG Owners Lounge

[ngaw]

I can hardly hear any noise and I can't feel the heat being pushed out any further when i set fan speed to 100%. I don't think the program is making the fan to speed up at all .

Before I set the speeds in EVGA Precision, I saw that the fan speed was at constant 30% speed in GPU-Z. I don't see any increasing of speed. Not even to 31%.

I really don't know how to confirm that my fan speed is being controlled automatically since GPU-Z keep showing me 30% all the time.

Remember that there is only one fan in the machine, it is responsible for the cooling of both the CPU and the GPU. The symptoms you're seeing of a 30% fan speed (I see the same thing) are because the "gpu fan" doesn't exist at all - all work is done by the "cpu fan" As far as I know.

Now you're going to ask about how to control the cpu fan speed and best I can tell is it's not supported anywhere (even reading the speed). So you're stuck in the same situation, but now you understand why your readout of the fan speed never seems to effect anything.

Just_a_nick is correct, the best way to find out if you're shutting down due to heat is to run something like everest 5.50 and set it to log gpu/cpu temps and speeds every 5 seconds to a file. Then you can read it after the shutdown and see if it's shutting down at a specific cpu or gpu temperature.

The best way to help it run cooler is to increase airflow by elevating the rear of the system, try setting it on the spine of a hardcover book. Or look into a notebook cooler.

[Danny7GTX]

Remember that there is only one fan in the machine, it is responsible for the cooling of both the CPU and the GPU. The symptoms you're seeing of a 30% fan speed (I see the same thing) are because the "gpu fan" doesn't exist at all - all work is done by the "cpu fan" As far as I know.

Now you're going to ask about how to control the cpu fan speed and best I can tell is it's not supported anywhere (even reading the speed). So you're stuck in the same situation, but now you understand why your readout of the fan speed never seems to effect anything.

Just_a_nick is correct, the best way to find out if you're shutting down due to heat is to run something like everest 5.50 and set it to log gpu/cpu temps and speeds every 5 seconds to a file. Then you can read it after the shutdown and see if it's shutting down at a specific cpu or gpu temperature.

The best way to help it run cooler is to increase airflow by elevating the rear of the system, try setting it on the spine of a hardcover book. Or look into a notebook cooler.

lol.. I already have a notebook cooler. The game that I'm playing (Dragon Age Origins) is really a big heat issue. I can play BFBC2 all day long. The only thing I can think of is replacing the factory thermal paste.

But, i'll monitor the temps and log it somewhere like you said, to check the overheating problem. Thanks for the tip ngaw & Just_a_nick.

[Just_a_Nick]

lol.. I already have a notebook cooler. The game that I'm playing (Dragon Age Origins) is really a big heat issue. I can play BFBC2 all day long. The only thing I can think of is replacing the factory thermal paste.

But, i'll monitor the temps and log it somewhere like you said, to check the overheating problem. Thanks for the tip ngaw & Just_a_nick.

Is there a public demo/beta of Dragon Age Origins available?
I haven't found any sources for legal stuff.

[Danny7GTX]

Is there a public demo/beta of Dragon Age Origins available?
I haven't found any sources for legal stuff.

Hmm.. I don't think there is unless you wanna use torrent, but you can try the Mafia II demo via steam. Its still a good example of that problem of mine. Play it for about 30 minutes or longer and it will shut down, if you don't keep the temperatures in check.


http://www.2kgames.com/mafia2/demo/

[Just_a_Nick]

Hmm.. I don't think there is unless you wanna use torrent, but you can try the Mafia II demo via steam. Its still a good example of that problem of mine. Play it for about 30 minutes or longer and it will shut down, if you don't keep the temperatures in check.


Mafia II Demo

I'm a 3820TG owner and would test my unit with the demo of your "problem game".

Mafia II works on my unit without problems.

[ngaw]

lol.. I already have a notebook cooler. The game that I'm playing (Dragon Age Origins) is really a big heat issue. I can play BFBC2 all day long. The only thing I can think of is replacing the factory thermal paste.

The temps you quoted for BFBC2 in the 3820tg thread (96c cpu and 90c gpu) are with a laptop cooler? As the cpu would be throttling at 100c that pretty much means you'd be throttling or shutting down with bfbc2 if you weren't using the cooler if it's an effective one.

These temps are higher than most people see, at least with the i5. I'd strongly suggest contacting acer technical support and seeing about sending it in for service to see if they'll fix the problem.

I wouldn't suggest changing the thermal paste as a first step - if you have a defective unit is the first thing you want to do is invalidate the warranty? It is also not the easiest procedure in the world and damage can be done if it's done incorrectly - it might be a bit of a challenge for you. I saw one person in the 3820tg thread suggesting to you that you might see a 10c-15c temp reduction by changing the paste and I believe that's wildly optimistic. It might be worthwhile to do, but not as the first step if you're still under warranty.

[Danny7GTX]

I'm a 3820TG owner and would test my unit with the demo of your "problem game".

Mafia II works on my unit without problems.

Hmmm...Well, have you tried playing it without cooling aid ? (notebook cooler, air conditioner ect.)

Mafia II also works fine on my 4820tg, only thing is I have to keep it cool. lol

[Just_a_Nick]

The temps you quoted for BFBC2 in the 3820tg thread (96c cpu and 90c gpu) are with a laptop cooler? As the cpu would be throttling at 100c that pretty much means you'd be throttling or shutting down with bfbc2 if you weren't using the cooler if it's an effective one.

These temps are higher than most people see, at least with the i5. I'd strongly suggest contacting acer technical support and seeing about sending it in for service to see if they'll fix the problem.

I wouldn't suggest changing the thermal paste as a first step - if you have a defective unit is the first thing you want to do is invalidate the warranty? It is also not the easiest procedure in the world and damage can be done if it's done incorrectly - it might be a bit of a challenge for you. I saw one person in the 3820tg thread suggesting to you that you might see a 10c-15c temp reduction by changing the paste and I believe that's wildly optimistic. It might be worthwhile to do, but not as the first step if you're still under warranty.

The high temps are known for the 4820TGs and it is not a case for the service.

And if any one posts this temps on the 3820TG thread without the note "4820TG" every one will cry, that is too hot.

[Just_a_Nick]

Hmmm...Well, have you tried playing it without cooling aid ? (notebook cooler, air conditioner ect.)

Mafia II also works fine on my 4820tg, only thing is I have to keep it cool. lol

I'm using just the 3820TG without any cooler or air conditioner.

[Danny7GTX]

The temps you quoted for BFBC2 in the 3820tg thread (96c cpu and 90c gpu) are with a laptop cooler? As the cpu would be throttling at 100c that pretty much means you'd be throttling or shutting down with bfbc2 if you weren't using the cooler if it's an effective one.

These temps are higher than most people see, at least with the i5. I'd strongly suggest contacting acer technical support and seeing about sending it in for service to see if they'll fix the problem.

I wouldn't suggest changing the thermal paste as a first step - if you have a defective unit is the first thing you want to do is invalidate the warranty? It is also not the easiest procedure in the world and damage can be done if it's done incorrectly - it might be a bit of a challenge for you. I saw one person in the 3820tg thread suggesting to you that you might see a 10c-15c temp reduction by changing the paste and I believe that's wildly optimistic. It might be worthwhile to do, but not as the first step if you're still under warranty.

The (96c cpu and 90c gpu) are for Dragon Age Origins, Not BFBC2. Temps are lower in BFBC2. I played all my games with the cooler. Unfortunately it isn't working for Dragon Age Origins. So.. if my temps are higher than most people see, what are the ideal temps ?

I don't think theres any warranty left for me as I already opened up my laptop. Damn.. It was foolish of me to do so. That time I was ever so eager to replace the thermal paste. But after finding out that I have to remove the mobo to reach the heatsinks, I just can't dismantle it totally. I fix it back right after I removed the bottom part. Regrets....

Do you think theres any services for Out-Of-Warranty products in acer ?