Five operating thermal modes are provided in Alienware Command Center. These modes are: Full Speed Mode, Performance Mode, Balanced Mode, Battery Saver Mode, and Quiet Mode. Fan acoustic level and computer performance are the main difference between each mode.
Full Speed Mode:
The fan spins at full speed to support the Central Processing Unit (CPU) operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable and can be heard.
Performance Mode:
The fan spins aggressively to support CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable and can be heard.
Balanced Mode:
The fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency is shorter.
Battery Saver Mode:
The fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) and GPU performance is limited 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 the CPU to operate at turbo frequency is lower and shorter.
First verify using the ePSA diagnostics that the computer has an overheating issue.
Change the operating thermal mode to Performance Speed in the Alienware Command Center.
Launch the Alienware Command Center.
Click HOME.
Select the proper operating mode from the Thermal menu.
Set the test environment and plug in the AC adapter.
Use Dell SupportAssist to stress test the CPU.
Launch My Alienware.
Click SUPPORT.
Click the Troubleshooting tab.
Click I want to troubleshoot my personal computer.
Click I want to check a specific piece of hardware.
Click CPU.
Select CPU Stress Test.
Click the Run Test button.
Select the FUSION tab on the home page to monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature.
| AWCC Operating Mode |
Processor | CPU Clock (During the first 5 minutes Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test) |
CPU Temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance Mode | I7-12700H | 3600 GHz ~ 4100 GHz | May be up to 100oC. |
| I9-12900H | 3600 GHz ~ 4100 GHz | ||
| I9-12900HK | 3600 GHz ~ 5200 GHz |
Table.1 AWCC Operating Modes
The CPU TCC Offset Slider feature allows you to customize your own CPU thermal event (TCC) triggering point settings. 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, the CPU temperature can exceed 99oC. Which triggers a thermal event (TCC) under heavy loading, when a TCC event occurs. The CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency decreases a couple hundred MHz. This reduces the rising temperature and allows the computers 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 a red font when the CPU is T > 90oC.
CPU TCC Offset Slider provides you with more authority to adjust the CPU thermal event algorithm.
How to adjust the TCC Offset Slider?
Press F2 during POST to enter the BIOS.
Go to the Advanced tab.
Click the entry Performance Operations.
Find TCC offset Options.
Input the value of TCC Activation Offset (0-15).
Press F10 to save your setting and reboot.
If the computer is idle, the computer is not truly idle. There are still some background tasks operating in high CPU frequency. These induce a high CPU temperature peak value (within 1 sec) then down to lower average temperature.
No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100-degree C
Statement from Intel: The processor supplies a method (the Digital Thermal Sensor or DTS) to report real time die temperature below, equal to, or above Tj(max). While the die should not run above Tj (max), a temperature value above Tj(max) may occur occasionally under normal operation. (Tj(max)=100)
No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100-degree C
For new generation processors, when the 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 the CPU operates at boost frequency. The boost frequency is higher than the CPU base frequency as defined by processor manufacturers such as Intel.
Some gaming or graphic stress applications combining with heavy CPU loading causing high CPU temperature
CPU high peak temperature is designed to strive for the best performance regardless of cooling mode. These mode options are:
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