GPU overheating with Karmic

nbpage · 01-21-2010, 06:08 AM

Hi

I've got a Dell M90 with an N Vidia Quatro FX 3500 gpu.

In Windows it would idle at around 45degrees. In Ubuntu 9.1 it idles at 65. Doing anything at all takes it up to 75-80 and playing a 3d game takes it to 90 withing a couple minutes.

Any thoughts anyone?

BTW - I'm a complete Linux Nube so I really need step-by-step help here.

Thanks

MS3FGX · 01-21-2010, 07:44 AM

Is compositing enabled? Running the visual effects on the GPU does increase load over what Windows would be doing, and could explain the higher idle temperatures. Also keep in mind those effects keep running even when playing games. I overheated the video card in my desktop by playing Half Life with Compiz Fusion running.

Of course, that looks to be a fairly powerful GPU, so maybe the issue is more thermal control. Do you notice a difference in fan noise between Linux and Windows?

nbpage · 01-21-2010, 08:01 AM

Hi,

I tried shutting down Compiz but the idle temp is about the same. Maybe a degree or 2 less...

The fans don't run as much with Ubuntu. I used to use a utility, I8kfanGUI that was great. But I can't find anything even close for Linux (which really surprises me give the Geek Appeal).

I've heard Karmic is a bad release and may have something to do with it. But I can't find any decent info on the web as to why this might be. I also wonder about the driver. I'm using the one recommended for max 3D effects when I installed Ubuntu.

And - just in case it might come up - I had the gpu replaced less than a year ago - so the box was professionally opened and cleaned at the time.

nbpage · 01-26-2010, 05:09 AM

Hi

I can't find an answer to this anywhere - forums, web... etc.

Is there one? I see many notebook users have the same issue. Anyone know if Canoical plans to fix the issue?

At any rate... Anyone have an answer?

I can't afford to bake my notebook and I don't want to go back to windows...

dcberg · 03-27-2010, 06:35 AM

I'm having the same problem on my girlfriend's laptop. Though I believe it is the CPU, not the GPU. It would really be great to have a solution, because it's hard to convince somebody to use an operating system, that fries the cpu and shuts down all the time.

Thanks!

syg00 · 03-27-2010, 07:35 AM

Check for a BIOS update - there are Dell issues with on-board nvidia chips.

dcberg · 03-27-2010, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syg00

Check for a BIOS update - there are Dell issues with on-board nvidia chips.

Hmm, it's in HP (Compaq)… I have read about the BIOS update for Dell. It only overheats on Ubuntu. It's dual boot with XP and doesn't do it there (though XP doesn't run very smoothly). However, I checked processes again, now that the computer was actually cold to start with. And the problem is that Flash is going completely crazy, no matter what browser you use. So I guess I'll have to look into _that_ instead of blaming the system. Sorry for posting here!

sycamorex · 03-27-2010, 08:04 AM

Which driver are you using? There have been some problems with overheating and nvidia binary drivers recently. They recommended downgrading the drivers for the time being. Now it seems to be fine so you could try to install the latest nvidia drivers.

dcberg · 03-27-2010, 09:39 AM

Well, it's an Intel Mobile 915GM/PM/GMS/910GML, whatever that means… so no nVidia. I guess the only thing that I can actually do is clean the heat sink and renew the heat conductivity paste. Didn't find anything on how to fix the problem with flash…

H_TeXMeX_H · 03-27-2010, 10:26 AM

Like sycamorex says upgrade to the latest drivers because there is a bug in older drivers that causes overheating.

I personally use nvclock to set the fan speed myself, so I don't have to worry about overheating, I set it to 50% and it never overheats, but it depends on your card:
http://www.linuxhardware.org/nvclock/

MTK358 · 03-27-2010, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nbpage

The fans don't run as much with Ubuntu. I used to use a utility, I8kfanGUI that was great. But I can't find anything even close for Linux (which really surprises me give the Geek Appeal).

Get lm-sensors.

Example output (from my desktop box):

Code:

$ sensors
atk0110-acpi-0
Adapter: ACPI interface
Vcore Voltage:      +0.94 V  (min =  +0.80 V, max =  +1.60 V)
 +3.3 Voltage:      +3.30 V  (min =  +2.97 V, max =  +3.63 V)
 +5 Voltage:        +5.12 V  (min =  +4.50 V, max =  +5.50 V)
 +12 Voltage:      +12.25 V  (min = +10.20 V, max = +13.80 V)
CPU FAN Speed:     1004 RPM  (min =  600 RPM)
CHASSIS1 FAN Speed: 992 RPM  (min =  600 RPM)
CHASSIS2 FAN Speed:1004 RPM  (min =  600 RPM)
POWER FAN Speed:      0 RPM  (min =    0 RPM)
CPU Temperature:    +48.0°C  (high = +60.0°C, crit = +75.0°C)  
MB Temperature:     +49.0°C  (high = +45.0°C, crit = +75.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 0:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0001
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 1:      +49.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0002
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 2:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0003
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 3:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0004
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 4:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0005
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 5:      +49.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0006
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 6:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)  

coretemp-isa-0007
Adapter: ISA adapter
Core 7:      +50.0°C  (high = +80.0°C, crit = +100.0°C)