Temperature Question.

[Beto94]

Hey everyone, recently about one week ago my frame rate has been dropping to about 4-6fps while I'm playing WoW (only video game I have on PC). Well the thing is I've done some research to see what could possibly be the problem and I think it might be a tempature problem.

I d/l'ed and ran a program named HW monitor and here are the results.
Temperature results
Result, might need to enlarge. (http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3825/73468785.jpg)

I'm pretty much a computer newbie when it comes to hardware so I could really use some help. Is my computer overheating?

Here are my CPU Specs

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System Information
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Time of this report: 8/25/2009, 16:51:43
Machine name: INSPIRON
Operating System: Windows Vista™ Home Premium (6.0, Build 6002) Service Pack 2 (6002.lh_sp2rtm.090410-1830)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Inspiron 530s
BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU E7200 @ 2.53GHz (2 CPUs), ~2.5GHz
Memory: 4084MB RAM
Page File: 2190MB used, 6201MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 10
DX Setup Parameters: /Silent
DxDiag Version: 6.00.6001.18000 32bit Unicode


And GFX specs (planning on upgrading soon)
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Display Devices
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Card name: Intel(R) G33/G31 Express Chipset Family
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) GMA 3100
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_29C2&SUBSYS_020D1028&REV_02
Display Memory: 286 MB
Dedicated Memory: 0 MB
Shared Memory: 286 MB
Current Mode: 1680 x 1050 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor: Dell E228WFP

[mjc]

That flat 40 C and that 86 C are probably spurious readings. The 44 to 47 C on the CPU is fine. The 50 C for the HD...probably fine, too.

Was this during, before or right after a session?

[Beto94]

Shortly after.

[risk_reversal]

Would suggest that use RivaTuner which can be found on the Guru3d forum [hope it was ok to mention this]. It has its own sub section within that forum.

Read up on which version you need they are up to v2.2 [i think]

Good Luck

[jlreich]

TMPIN0 in HWMonitor is usually the chipset temp. Which makes sense since you have on-board video and the chipset is where the on-board video is located.

Those temps could actually be accurate. When you first open up HWM and take the screen shot right away the temps may very little or nothing, particularity if the system is overheating.

I would start by opening the case and making sure all fans are spinning and use some canned air to clean the system out really good. See if that brings the temps down and makes the game play better.

[mjc]

I never seen a system running a flat 86 C for the chipset that was still actually running without locking up or rebooting...a 4-6 fps drop at a lower temp, maybe...but at 86 C...I'd think there'd be a bit more than that.

But yeah, go with a cleaning as a first step.

Also, have you done any updates recently? Specifically drivers...I've seen those kind of drops after driver updates.

[jlreich]

my frame rate has been dropping to about 4-6fps
Dropping to 4-6 fps, not just by. Though I am surprised that if it is correct that the system is not shutting down or crashing. But it is possible.

It is also possible, if there is never a change, the thermistor managed to get stuck at a higher temp. I recently upgraded to a quad core CPU and the third core thermistor is stuck. It reads 38c most of the time while the other cores will vary normally, between 28-34c or ~40 at full load, as they are being used or not. Even running at 100% load for an extended period it doesn't vary more than a few C's. Yeah it is definitely stuck, or sticky at least. A bummer, but nothing to send it back for. The core does function just fine. :)