Alienware 13 R3 Overheating

Hi Gyro,

Have you tried lowering the graphics a bit? Say high instead of Ultra? Is there any more stability?

Am aware that we all want to run games at the best possible, but in time that does wear off the hardware performance and may be stressing the little 13 a bit too much?

Just a thought, at least to see if the behavior changes would be good to try it.

I would try to re-paste with a better quality thermal paste.  In addition, you can undervolt the CPU to take some thermal stress off the system.  How are your CPU temps?  Usually it is those that are an issue and not the GPUs in the new Alienwares.

Hi ‌,

If you are still experiencing this issue, please send me a PM with your Service Tag so we can look into it. 

Hi! As per the advice of the technician, I took time to monitor the temperature. I have only played one game and that is overwatch at the said settings.

What happens now is that the temperature has much worsens. Reaching over 90 degrees for both CPU and GPU in about 15 to 30 mins of gaming. 

I am concerned about this. I have the screenshot of the temp if it is of any help.

Thanks for replying me! The feeling that the product worsens after service isn't great.

My service tag is BQMVWF2

You can always go into the bios and change the fans to performance mode (well I can and I have a 15 r2). This basically runs your fans at max speed. It helps with temps (keeps mine around 20 degrees C). Hope this helps

I recently received my Alienware 13 r3 and noticed the fans ramping up and running at high speed even when performing some light tasks. They also start running at full speed as soon as I start loading a game. 

Not that i have gamed on it for long but the GPU temps seem fine however, I noticed the CPU temps at max then immediately drop to low 70's then straight back up again to max with the fans blowing at full speed. Sometimes they blow at full speed for a while then cut off and ramp up again.

I am new to pc gaming laptops and pc gaming in general, but this doesn't seem normal. Dell are sending a tech to look at the issue over the next couple of days, hopefully it is a simple fix.

Would this be a thermal paste/pad issue? or software problem?

Below are screenshots of CPU temps when performing an antivirus scan and loading up doom demo.

Cheers

Hi Gyro,

Have you tried elevating the laptop from back (where the fans are). I have the same problem and I keep my laptop elevated while playing overwatch. Doing so keeps the temps below 90°. Even though the temperatures don't go down by alot and it's not a proper fix, I guess it's better than nothing. I hope this helps you.

Hi I have the same problem with Overwatch. I even try to run my settings at low but after one or two games, my temperatures reach 86 and above. Once this happens the performance in my laptop goes down. My fps will drop to 10 and the laptop becomes unresponsive and will sometimes crash.

This problem has plagued me since my purchase. I've had countless hours spent with customer service who just update my processors which does not help. 

Im having the same issue. And I desperately need help. The temperatures are running about 93C on overwatch running on medium settings. Ive tried undervolting the core voltage by 0.130 but its still running about 93C. I then used IC diamond as a repaste and stil the temps are reaching about 90. Finally I tried the best thermal paste known throughout the forums, called the phobya nanogrease extreme which has a conductivity rate of 16W/mK. The temps seem to remain the same... I havent yet replaced the heatsink, but thats the next on my list. I have all the drivers updated as well. I also noticed that the PCH on the board is completely left alone with no cooling solution. I am curious as to whether or not there should be a cooling solution to it? I may do a mod on the PCH to reduce temperatures on the laptop.

(PCH heatsink mod alienware 15 | NotebookReview ). 

Hi Jhu, I had the same problem recently. I contacted dell and told them about the problem. They sent in a technician and replaced the heatsink. the temperatures went down to 80C. I would suggest you to do the same. Also, i have my alienware undervolted to -0.130.

I've had the laptop replaced then had my cooling system completely replaced,  and now I'm sending this second one in for repairs again. Hopefully my issues will be addressed.

this actually worked for me. i went from 80c to 60-70c