Five operating thermal modes are provided in Alienware Command Center. These modes are: Full Speed Mode, Performance Mode, Balanced Mode, Cool Mode, and Quiet Mode. Fan acoustic level and computer performance are the main difference between each mode.
Full Speed Mode:
Fan spins at full speed to support CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable.
Performance Mode:
Fan spins aggressively to support CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable.
Balanced Mode:
Fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for CPU to operate at turbo frequency is shorter.
Cool Mode:
The fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the GPU and GPU performance will be limit for better skin comfort and battery life.
Quiet Mode:
The fan runs in a quieter level than Balanced Mode. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be lower and shorter.
Regardless of operating modes, CPU temperature can exceed 99 degree celcius triggering Thermal Event (TCC) under heavy loading. When TCC is activated, CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency decreases a couple hundred MHz. This decreases the rising temperature and allows the computer thermal control mechanism to achieve the best thermal performance balance.
Such high CPU temperature conditions may get you worried, but it is a general design of all gaming laptop. However, you may follow instructions suggest in High CPU temperature troubleshooting steps.
AWCC Operating Mode |
Processor | CPU Clock (During the first 5 minutes Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test) |
CPU Temperature |
---|---|---|---|
Performance Mode | i9-11900H | 3200 GHz ~ 4400 GHz | May be up to 100oC |
i7-11800H | 3200 GHz ~ 4200 GHz | ||
i5-11260H | 3200 GHz ~ 4100 GHz | ||
Cool Mode | i9-11900H | 3200 GHz ~ 4400 GHz | <100oC |
i7-11800H | 3200 GHz ~ 4200 GHz | ||
i5-11260H | 3200 GHz ~ 4100 GHz |
CPU Tcc Offset Slider feature allows users to customize their own CPU thermal event (TCC) triggering point setting. The offset range is 0~15oC (default is 0). The CPU Tj(max) can be 85~100oC.
According to the statement from Intel, Regardless of AWCC operating modes, CPU temperature can exceed 99oC, and then trigger thermal event (TCC) under heavy loading. When TCC event occurs, CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency will decrease a couple hundred MHz. This reduces the rising temperature and allows computer thermal control mechanism to achieve the best thermal performance balance.Although it is a general design of all gaming laptops, you may still feel concerned about high CPU temperature conditions. Third-party tools such as HW monitor info show warning messages and CPU temperatures in red font when CPU T > 90oC.
CPU TCC Offset Slider provides you more authority to adjust the CPU thermal event algorithm.
For new generation processors, when CPU operates with max frequency, the thermal throttling or thermal events are often triggered. These achieve a balance between thermal comfort and performance by dynamically adjusting the CPU power. You can neglect those warning messages if CPU operates at boost frequency which is higher than CPU base frequency defined by processor manufacturers such as Intel.
CPU high peak temperature is designed to strive for the best performance regardless of cooling mode. These mode options are:
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