Laptop's GPU is Overheating

Photosynthesis

So as the title says, my laptop has an overheating problem. I've had it for about a year, and recently when I've tried to play games, it'll go soothly for the first fifteen minutes or so, and then get horribly choppy to the point where I'm watching a slideshow. This is quite aggravating, so I installed RealTemp, and it's recording temps of about 74C when I'm just browsing the internet, and up to 116C after a bit of gaming.

So, do I need a new GPU? Do I just need to clean out my fan/heat sink? I'm a bit cautious about opening this laptop up because I'm not the best with computers, but I'd be willing to give anything a shot.

Thanks in advance.

PeregrineFalcon

Post your make/model and the PA Hivemind can see about digging up a disassembly/maintenance guide for you.

bowen

How's the airflow? Is it well ventilated on a desk and hopefully propped up on one of those laptop cooling pads?

Photosynthesis

PeregrineFalcon wrote: »

Post your make/model and the PA Hivemind can see about digging up a disassembly/maintenance guide for you.

It's an Asus G50VT.

bowen wrote: »

How's the airflow? Is it well ventilated on a desk and hopefully propped up on one of those laptop cooling pads?

I use it on a desk most of the time, and while I don't have a cooling stand the little rubber things on the bottom keep it propped up a couple cm.

bowen

You'll probably need more than that. Laptops are notoriously bad for stuff like this. See if you have something laying around that you could use to prop it up that's "breathable." Maybe an in/out wireframe basket or something.

Photosynthesis

I have obtained a wire cookie rack thing, so we'll see if that works.

Edit:
It's still overheating with better airflow, though it took a bit longer to do so.

surrealitycheck

I use it on a desk most of the time, and while I don't have a cooling stand the little rubber things on the bottom keep it propped up a couple cm.

You need to get a fanbank if it's got a good GPU. I used to have an alienware laptop that overheated like a MOTHERLICKER - it literally did not work unless it was on a fanbank (and sometimes I had to put a bag of ice on the wrist area to cool it before I rested my wrist on it... )

Teth

Is it still under warranty? A lot of manufacturers will put things into the laptop to help absorb heat if you complain loud enough. Had an old HP that had this issue, they popped in...I forget what the technical term was, but they were essentially pads that absorbed the heat. Reduced the heat by about 10 degrees if I recall, enough to stop it from halting (it was a cumulative effect, ambient internal temp rising, etc).

Photosynthesis

I'm pretty sure that it's still under warranty, I'll call up Asus and see what they can do.

autono-wally, erotibot300

Probably some part of the cooling system is a bit lose
If nothing helps, get something like this. My laptop was overheating and I got the gpu (main board) replaced, which fixed the problem, but I got one anyways.
Higher temperatures mean shorter life span, too