m17x r2 with dell 7970m auto shutdowns when temp reaches 85

[BillyXq]

Hi, as mentioned here, my M17x R2 has a Dell OEM 7970m installed. Usually its temperature will go up till a maximum of 77 degree if left at stock while palying crysis 2. However, when I overclock it a little at 920/1300, the temperature will increase up till 83+ and that is when the OS auto shutdown commences. As far as i am concerned, this issue is only limited to my dell 7970m as my nvidia 680m operates well under 87 degree @ OC/OV.

does anyone else have this issue and if possible is there any solution for this? And yes, i am aware that the OS will not usually shutdown under these temps.

p.S: my 7970m is currently undervolted @ 0.975, i am in fact using IC diamond 7

[BillyXq]

apparently this issue has also occur on other M17x R2 owners with DELL OEM 7970m installed. as seen from here, m17x r2 7970m wired shut downs the os shut downs at approximately 83-85 degree

[svl7]

Your GPU runs too hot, especially for that voltage. You should make sure it makes proper contact with the heatsink, maybe do a retention mod or backplate mod to increase the pressure between die and heatsink.

It's totally possible that for example the memory controller or another part of the chip overheats due to insufficient contact.

[BillyXq]

thanks for the suggestion, if i may ask, what is the normal temps for 7970m under prolonged full load? and as for the backplate mod, i could not find any info for it at all. Don't think i would risk the retention mod tho, too risky for someone with the lack of dexterous fingers like me.

[Brian]

Retention mod is really simple to do and will bring down your temperatures significantly. I used to do it when I had the M17x-R2. But I believe the back plate mod that @svl7 is referring to is if you use a 7970m backplate because the posts for it are too high for the M15x sink and you have to grind them down so the sink makes good contact with the core. If you use a 6990m plate then it should fit perfectly. But regardless, the retention mod is of immense benefit for the M17x-R2 and it is likely that a component on the board itself is overheating and causing shutdowns.

[BillyXq]

If you guys don't mind, can you clarify a little bit more regarding the backplate mod? My 7970m came with the back plates soldered and i have no access to power tools such as grinders nor would i dare risk grinding it :S And as for the Retention clips, where can I get one? Worst comes to worst I might as well sell my 7970m instead :S

[Brian]

The backplate for the 7970M is not soldered on, it just has a very strong adhesive and can be pulled off. There is no such thing as a video card with a soldered back plate AFAIK. You can pull it off and purchase a 6990m plate from ebay for a few dollars and use that instead if you are afraid of grinding down the posts. The posts I'm referring to are the ones the screws go into, they are too tall so your sink doesn't make full contact with the core and thats why your temps are so high. Plus the retention mod is a easy to do, take a look here: http://forum.techinferno.com/alienware-m17x/13-m17x-r2-cooling-mod-ashtefere.html

[BillyXq]

wow sweet guide there , will definitely give that a try now! thanks a lot guys!

[radji]

Billy, I've scoured the net and haven't found a software based mod that removes the ~85C thermal shutdown trip in the BIOS (or VBIOS). It doesn't make sense why the older AMD cards like my 5870m can take temps well past 90C without shutting down, but the newer cards have that fail-safe built in. In any event, looks like proactive cooling mods will be the best solution for you thus far. You can always look for a reseller for this TIM: Buy Thermal Interface Materials / Indium Corporation's Online Store

It's supposed to be really good, but the manufacturer only sells in bulk and I haven't found a reseller yet.