Alienwarez: Bios released to fix overheating Area-51 m15x rigs
Drop those pitchforks m15x owners and prepare to update, Alienware just released a fix to your overheating (and downclocking) problems. A new beta BIOS -- X29b P3A30 -- features a few tweaks including the ability to spin-up the fan to a new 5400rpm max. So more noise for more speed; sounds like a reasonable trade-off to us. Unfortunately, the new BIOS is only available if you email area51_m15x@alienware.com for a copy. A general release is expected shortly. Until then, however, it looks like all m15x shipments are on hold. Ouch. [Via Laptop, thanks Kris J.]
Filed under: Laptops
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
derred @ Mar 19th 2008 7:14AM
Final version is aimed to be released by the end of this week. So where is my black SkullCap config Alienware?
Mr.Tech @ Mar 19th 2008 9:40AM
I was bbqing my chicken wing with the heatsink fan in the back when they updated the bios. "Darn" now I have to run Crysis at high resolution/quality so I can finish cooking my chicken wing, now where did I put the honey?
webon @ Mar 19th 2008 7:29AM
I didn't hear that WHAT?? SORRY SPEAK LOUDER!!
Stevie Wonder @ Mar 19th 2008 7:42AM
Somehow I doubt a BIOS update is gonna fix this problem without seriously crippling the video card's performance indefinitely.
Joe @ Mar 19th 2008 7:53AM
Right, because moving more air over the heatsink will never provide more cooling. Somehow I doubt you read even the summary.
Stevie Wonder @ Mar 19th 2008 8:04AM
@Joe
Somehow I doubt you're intelligent.
If that video card produces enough heat to melt the plastic cases as people have reported, moving a little bit more air over the heatsink isn't gonna fix it. It may help, but it won't fix it. That's why Alienware is holding off shipping more units, most likely 'cause they're trying to figure out some kind of redesign that won't necessitate throttling back the GPU.
Remember, think before you post.
derred @ Mar 19th 2008 9:37AM
The down-clocking is also an issue to Clevo's model with 8800m gtx. It's somewhere in the web mentioned it's actually Nvidia new GPU feature to avoid overheating issue.
It's something like when the temperature goes anything above say, 90 degree, then the GPU will start throttling back so it won't increase much more heat that could cause instant overheat/cooked platform.
With that bios fix, it will sort of control the temperature since the fans spin up to 5400rpm, so it won't reach the temperature that will caused the throttle down issue.
Esat @ Mar 19th 2008 9:45AM
^irrelevant much?
anonymous @ Mar 19th 2008 11:57AM
Omg that robot is so awesome! Just check out its dance moves: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU
Lessaj @ Mar 19th 2008 10:33PM
I have installed the new BIOS on my m15x and it no longer downclocks. I have actually gotten the card up to 110 celcius and no downclock, but that was when I lifted the front of the book up, which I wouldn't do while gaming. I just wanted to see how hot it would go, but didn't dare go past 110.