Laptop running super hot on linux, CPU throttling.

Alpha7

Estimable
Oct 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
I have one of my machines dual booted with Ubuntu/W10. I was just using it for a few hours watching movies. It began to get really hot and eventually the video playback started to stutter. Bottom of the laptop felt really hot. The last couple of times that I've run linux, it's had issues scrolling through webpages, etc. It only happens after I've used the machine for a while with multiple tabs open. It seems that linux in general runs hot on laptops because I had another computer that was having the same issue. This computer never seems to run hot when running W10.

I already cleaned out the fan inside. I have 8GB of RAM. CPU is an i5. Has an 850 EVO SSD installed.

Questions:

When it starts to lag is that because the CPU is being throttled due to heat?

What can be done to smooth things over and make it run cooler?





 
Solution
So CPU is a low tdp one meaning it shouldn't run that hot. You could say fans are rather generic, but it's not the same way as the PC fans. You need to take it out and look for something that will fit (personally I prefer going to pc part stores myself and looking for parts which I am unsure will fit).

Alpha7

Estimable
Oct 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
I can hear the fan running right now. It does make a little bit of a noise when the computer is on a slight angle.

I do know one thing for a fact, some laptops run hot with Ubuntu. I don't know why but I've seen it on multiple machines.
 

Alpha7

Estimable
Oct 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
Was using this computer again in linux. Watching a video it hit 85C. The computer basically froze..... I had to reboot and let it cool. As of right now, I'm going to stop using it with this machine. Not sure what is going on. In W10 i'm getting high 50s at idle and low to mid 70s at load. Does that sound normal?

I read an article on itsfoss about heat problems in linux. I tried installing TLP and a few other programs but it didn't help much. I wonder if there is a compatibility issue with my machine.

Would installing a new fan and putting some new thermal paste/pad on the CPU likely help with temps?
 

Gingerbread

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Nov 2, 2009
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19,110
No it does not. Your temps are extremely high. 50 idle is nowhere near normal, even for a laptop. You need to fully open it, clean it, re-apply thermal paste, maybe even consider changing the fan. The problem is not with linux itself. Sure there is some problem but the main problem is within the cooling itself. Sounds like your fan is not working at all, else you can't possibly hope to achieve such high temp at idle. Also what is the CPU and did you install the SSD yourself?
 

Alpha7

Estimable
Oct 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
Ok, looks like it's time to open her back up.

CPU is an I5 3337U.

Yes, I installed the SSD and RAM myself.

Might as well get a new fan to play it safe. Are laptop fans generally proprietary or can I get a generic fan online somewhere?
 

Gingerbread

Distinguished
Nov 2, 2009
248
0
19,110
So CPU is a low tdp one meaning it shouldn't run that hot. You could say fans are rather generic, but it's not the same way as the PC fans. You need to take it out and look for something that will fit (personally I prefer going to pc part stores myself and looking for parts which I am unsure will fit).
 
Solution

Alpha7

Estimable
Oct 29, 2014
17
0
4,560
I discovered in my power settings, my CPU was set at a minimum CPU state of 100%. That was helping to increase the heat. She's running in the mid 50s now. A bit hotter at load.

I'm still going to clean the inside. See if I can get it cooler.

I'll see if there is a parts store around here. Usually I got to Microcenter.

Thanks for the advice Gingerbread.