Gaming laptop temperatures

Gaming systems run hotter than other laptops due to their performance and power requirements. It is safe for newer processors to run warmer than older processors due to additional innovations from AMD and Intel that allow more performance with higher power draw and thermals. AMD and Intel include their maximum CPU operating temperature at AMD Ryzen™ and Intel Core i7.

The Razer Blade’s aluminum chassis helps dissipate heat which makes its surface feel warmer. Ambient temperature, airflow, and the surface where the laptop rests on affects the laptop’s ability to dissipate heat. Keep your fan vents clean and clear of any obstruction.

This article addresses the following:

• Excessive fan noise or use

• Games stop responding

• Windows stops responding

• Razer Blade restarts or turns off unexpectedly

• High temperatures exceeding 90 °C or 194 °F for an extended period of time without performing intensive tasks

You can view the video below for instructions or review a copy of the video transcript.

Below are different options to keep your Razer Blade at optimal temperature while gaming.

Update your graphics drivers. Razer Blades (except for the Razer Blade Stealth models) have both integrated Intel graphics and dedicated Nvidia graphics equipped. Consult your product manual for more information.

Over time, dust could accumulate within the vents that prevent them from working properly.

• Rest the Blade should on solid flat surfaces to keep the air vents clear from obstructions to maximize airflow.

• Regularly clean the Blade’s air vents to prevent the accumulation of dust.

  • Hold the device upside down and use compressed air can dislodge any clumps of dust that are clogging the vents.

• Use a laptop cooler or stand to improve air ventilation.

• Use the Razer Blade in a cool environment. A hot ambient temperature can affect your Razer Blade’s efficiency to dissipate heat.

• Refer to the Blade's Safety Guidelines in the user guides for the recommended ambient temperatures.

Note: Not all Razer Blade models allow the option to control fan speed. Different fan control options vary depending on the Razer Blade model.

1. Open Razer Synapse, then go to "SYSTEM" > "PERFORMANCE".

2. Adjust the fan speed based on your preference.

   Balanced Mode: Auto (Default)

   1. Select the "Balanced" performance mode.

   2. Select "Auto (Default)". This automatically adjusts the fan speed.

   Balanced Mode: Manual

   1. Select the "Balanced" performance mode.

   2. Select "Manual"

   3. Click ang drag the slider to adjust the fan speed (RPM) to be maintained.

   Custom Mode

   1. Select the "Custom" performance mode.

   2. Select between "LOW", "MEDIUM", or "HIGH" for both CPU and GPU.

See How to adjust the fan speed on the Razer Blade for more details.

• Close background programs that you are not using.
• Make sure to save any unsaved work in those programs.

Note: Some processes are essential to your system and closing them could cause stability issues.

1. Right-click on the Start button and select “Task Manager”.

2. Choose the process you want to close then right-click > “End task”. 

   
    

When you play heavy games or run 3D rendering softwares then your laptop gets heated up due to an increase in the temperature of CPU and GPU.

There is an optimum temperature of the CPU/GPU for operating without any problems. There is also a maximum temperature which when crossed can damage the CPU as well as the GPU.

In this article I will share the optimum and maximum temperature for CPUs and GPUs, what causes laptop CPUs and GPUs to overheat and some tips on keeping the temperature down.

What Is The Normal CPU/GPU Temperature While Gaming?

The optimum CPU/GPU temperature for gaming is around 65 – 70 degrees Celsius or 149 – 158 degrees Fahrenheit. If your laptop gets to this temperature while gaming then it’s totally fine and you don’t have to worry.

If the temperature increases above this point and crosses the 85 degrees Celsius mark then there is a chance that your CPU and GPU can get overheated and you will observe Thermal Throttling. Also, there is a chance that your CPU/GPU can get damaged and even burnt. GPU Throttling can also occur due to high temperatures.

In some cases, your CPU and GPU may stop functioning and the laptop may shut down suddenly to prevent any damage to the internal components.

I have discussed about the optimum temperature but there is also a maximum temperature for the operation of CPU/GPU.

This maximum temperature for CPU and GPU can go up to 95 degrees Celsius or 203 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a theoretical temperature because if your CPU/GPU gets to that temperature then your CPU or GPU can get damaged.

The optimum and maximum temperature for CPUs and GPUs depends on the manufacturer. Here is a table that lists the temperature levels for common CPUs and GPUs.

Temperature Tables For CPU and GPU

I will now share the average temperatures for all Intel and AMD CPUs. Also, I will share the maximum temperatures for all Nvidia and AMD GPUs.

Optimum Temperatures for Intel Processors

Optimum Temperatures for AMD Processor

Maximum Optimum Temperatures for Nvidia GPUs

Maximum Optimum Temperatures for AMD GPUs

What Causes High Temperature During Gaming?

There are six main causes of high temperatures during gaming.

Cooling System

If your laptop doesn’t have a good cooling system then your laptop will overheat while gaming.

A bad cooling system cannot remove the excess heat produced during gaming sessions. This excess heat which cannot escape stays inside the laptop and increases the temperature of the CPU and GPU.

If your cooling fan is faulty then it cannot get rid of the hot air which will increase the overall temperature of the laptop.

Dust and Dirt

Dust and dirt usually stick to the hot air vents of the laptop and the cooling fan. This dust and dirt blocks the hot air vents and doesn’t allow the hot air to escape.

Also, these dust and dirt particles cling to the surface of the cooling fan and reduce the fan’s speed of rotation. This increases the amount of trapped hot air.

As the quantity of trapped hot air increases the overall temperature of the laptop also increases.

Manufacturers and Manufacturing Defect

Some laptop manufacturers use a particular CPU and GPU combination that gets heated up a lot while gaming. Example – Nvidia GeForce MX250 in Lenovo Yoga S740 heats up a lost because the CPU and GPU combination along with the cooling system isn’t great.

If there is a manufacturing defect in the cooling system, fans, heat sink then also your temperature of the laptop will be high.

Surface On Which You Place Your Laptop

If you place your laptop on pillows, blankets or on your bed then your laptop will get heated up faster because these surfaces tend to block the hot air vents and therefore the hot air cannot escape out of the laptop. This hot air then increases the temperature of the laptop.

You should always place your laptop on hard level surfaces.

Overclocking the CPU/GPU

Overclocking means increasing the clock speeds at which the CPU/GPU operates. If you overclock your CPU/GPU then they will consume more power and produce more heat.

If your cooling system isn’t good enough then the excess heat generated by the overclocked CPU/GPU will heat up your laptop much faster than before and this will increase the temperature of the laptop.

High Room Temperature

If the room temperature is high then the overall temperature of the laptop will also be high. The ideal room temperature for operating a laptop is around 25-37 degrees Celsius.

How To Reduce High Temperatures During Gaming

You can reduce high laptop temperatures during gaming by the following ways.

Cleaning Air Vents and Cooling Fans

You should remove the dust from the air vents and cooling fans by blowing dry air using a Blow Dryer. You can then clean the dirt from the air vents and fans by cleaning it with a soft cloth.

Thermal Paste

Applying thermal paste can decrease the overall temperature of the laptop. Thermal paste removes the air gap between the heat source and heat sink. This trapped air is the reason for heating your CPU and GPU.

The thermal paste eliminates the presence of any trapped air by blocking that air gap so this cannot heat the CPU or the GPU.

Cooling Pad

Placing your laptop over a cooling pad can reduce the temperature of your laptop. Cooling pads have integrated fans that suck the cool air from underneath and blows it on your laptop. This reduces the temperature of your laptop.

Undervolting your CPU/GPU

Undervolting is a process that reduces the operating voltage of the CPU/GPU and decreases power consumption. As power consumed by the CPU/GPU is less therefore the heat produced and the overall temperature will also be less.

Replace Faulty Laptop

If there is a manufacturing defect in your laptop then you should immediately replace the faulty product and ask for a new one as replacement.

How To Monitor CPU/GPU Temperatures During Gaming

You can monitor the temperatures of the CPU and GPU using Utility Softwares. These utility softwares are compatible with Intel and AMD Ryzen CPUs and Nvidia as well as AMD GPUs.

Here is a list of some well known Utility softwares to monitor the CPU/GPU temperatures.

Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

The Extreme Tuning Utility from Intel monitors the temperatures of your Intel CPU. This utility software can also be used to overclock your Intel CPU.

This utility software has an easy to use interface which is a perfect fit for both novices as well as pro gamers and overclocking enthusiasts.

The Intel Utility Software doesn’t support old Intel processors like the Pentium and Celeron series. It supports all new Intel processors.

Download Link – Intel Extreme Tuning Utility

Ryzen Master

The Ryzen master is a utility software developed by AMD in order to monitor the temperatures and clock speeds of the AMD processors.

You can also overclock your AMD CPU using the Ryzen Master. You can create custom profiles for your overclocking experiments and easily monitor the changes in temperature that occur with the change in clock speed.

You have full control on how you want to overclock with the Ryzen Master.

Download Link – Ryzen Master

MSI AfterBurner

The MSI AfterBurner is a great utility software to monitor the temperature, voltage and clock frequencies of your GPU. You can also overclock any GPU using this utility software.

MSI AfterBurner is compatible with all graphics card brands which includes the well known Nvidia and AMD GPUs.

The user interface is very easy to use. This is one of the most popular Overclocking Software so there are a lot of informational videos on YouTube about overclocking GPUs with MSI AfterBurner.

Download Link – MSI AfterBurner

Nvidia Control Panel

Nvidia Control Panel is already included with laptops having an Nvidia graphics card. You can monitor the temperatures and voltages of the Nvidia GPU using the Nvidia Control Panel.

You can also update your drivers, change graphic settings and create custom profiles to save the settings you just created.

Conclusion

Gaming and other heavy tasks increase the temperature of your computer. You should always try and keep the temperature of the CPU and GPU below 80 degrees Celsius to prevent overheating, thermal throttling and any other drastic damage to the laptop CPU and GPU.

High temperatures can also reduce your battery life because the CPU and GPU will consume more power from the battery.