CF-30 - Video Overheating

[Namoan]

Well I took the plunge and pulled the motherboard and replaced the thermal pad on the GPU chip as well as the one on it's thermal tube. The old GPU pad was dried out but unfortunately, marginal improvement with the new one so this CF-30 appears to be destined to being a non-Netflix device. The CPU is running cooler though at less than <50 deg C most of the time so was good idea to look at this.

[Namoan]

OK, overheating is still a problem as the new navigation software I am running on this CF-30 is even more taxing on it than video. According to the GPU-Z utility I downloaded, the load on the GPU is about 14-16% running Netflix but a whopping 60-70% running Nobeltec TimeZero, the marine navigation package. Up-time is only about 5 minutes after starting TimeZero after which the computer freezes and requires a reboot. The CPU stays fairly cool at 60 degrees.

Does anyone know of a utility that will show the GPU temperature (GPU-Z only shows load) of the CF-30's Intel 945GM video chip as I would like to confirm its temp when the computer freezes.

I am thinking of adding more thermal padding to the GPU, buying a new (used) motherboard or buying a CF-31. Overheating is the only problem I have with this computer which is upgraded with GPS, DVD drive, 4 GB RAM, 500 MB SSD and Win 7 so hate to throw it away.

[ADOR]

I have gamed stuff like Halo and Portal on my CF-30 Mk2 so the pads should of solved the problem. Are you sure you used the right grade/thickness pads? Some of the really cheap pads just suck.

[Namoan]

The pads were the best from Fujipoly with a thermal conductance of 17.0 W/mK (they also come in lower 6 and 11 conductance variants). I suppose it is possible the chip is not making good contact but did check to see that that the chip left an imprint on the pad before putting the computer back together. Perhaps the MK2 used a different GPU than the MK1?

[ADOR]

The Mk2 is better in graphics, It has the 965 chipset. That is the x3100 Intel graphics, but I have played Halo on the Mk1 I had before also with out problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_GMA

This has a good break down of the integrated graphics. On the CF-30 Mk1 945, Mk2 965 - X3100, and the Mk3 has 4500 chipset/graphics.

[droppointalpha]

Can I go ahead and throw out there the suggestion of researching and ensuring you have the latest drivers? Has a intergrity check been run on the RAM? Is the system showing all your RAM present?

Does the GPU chipset have its own small RAM chipset? Can a memory check be performed on it?

Also, a few of us on here can testify that the fujipoly material is good stuff. Seems like OP made sure he was getting good contact so not certain the problem is heat related.

I've use Noblewreck aboard ship (diff edition though) and it is not the tightest code written. What DirectX version is required? What is suggested? Are you using the 3D bottom feature? Are you using trails? Are you using sat overlays? AIS inputs or RADAR overlays? Weather overlay from files?

I'll look at mine and see what other features might draw a large graphical load.

[Namoan]

I think droppointalpha may be on to something as the computer hung when running the Panasonic Diagnostic Test, specifically the Memory Test. Passed all other tests including Video.

I then ran the Memtest86 application and it also crashed the computer but not before reporting some memory errors.

Perhaps one or both of the 2 GB Kingston modules that I upgraded the computer with are defective? The 945GM video chip does not have very much onboard memory and makes use of main memory so a memory problem might explain crashes when using video. Will keep investigating...

[ADOR]

Sounds like it's time to swap ram and go from there, even if it's just two 512 sticks for testing.

[safn1949]

Sounds like a plan,I just put a 2gb stick in a laptop the other day and it failed to boot,took that stick out and it was hot,like 100+ degrees hot if just about 30 seconds.Trashed it and another stick works great.

[Namoan]

Problem solved - faulty memory was the culprit. The CPU and GPU were probably not overheating although it did not do any harm to replace the thermal pads with Fujipoly.

I pulled one of the 2GB memory cards that I had installed a year ago and this old CF-30 passed the memtest86 memory test, plays Netflix and runs the Nobeltec TimeZero navigation package without issue. It seems that video intensive applications can put enough stress on a (flaky) memory card to push it over the edge.

Thanks everyone for your advice.