Laptops Excessive Heating Issues in Lenovo Laptop: Seeking Solutions and Advice

[OneTapHero]

Hellow fellow TE members,

I made this post to seek your valuable advice on a Lenovo Ideapad Slim 5 Pro AMD Ryzen NVIDIA 7 5800H/GTX 1650 that I purchased for my relative, which has been causing some concerns. I purchased this specific model last year as my relative wanted something that was slim and had a metal build. This laptop met his requirements, but he started facing problems while using moderate-heavy applications. The graphics card in the laptop appears to be of little use, as the device runs excessively hot even under a moderate CPU load and not the GPU itself. I haven't tested if the laptop thermal throttles, but I think changing the thermal paste wouldn't do much as this problem persists from the start. The laptop runs on the latest Windows and Lenovo drivers.

While I understand that slim laptops tend to have inadequate cooling, this problem seems unwarranted, especially given its price tag of 85k rupees. I have attempted to mitigate the issue by disabling the AMD CPU Boost in Power Plan settings and running on Battery Saver mode. I also use the RyzenAdj tool too. This took the temperature down to an extent and stays a little cool in light use. But I don't see the use in having an H processor if I can't use its power to some extent.

As such, I seek your expertise on the matter and have some questions:

1. Have you encountered similar issues with Lenovo laptops?
2. Are there any solutions to this problem that I could try?
3. Should I contact Lenovo customer support to have this issue resolved under warranty?
4. What other measures can I take to optimize my relative's laptop's performance?

I personally feel like the service centre here would fix this issue that came with the laptop from the factory. The warranty ends this month and I want to take action soon. I have a 1-year Accidental Damage Protection, Premium Care(which ends on the 25th of March 2023) and a 3-year Standard Warranty. Any assistance and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[ibose]

Based on your definition of "excessively hot" and its impact no. 3

 

[messipenguin]

One option to consider to mitigate excess heating is to repaste with a good thermal compound. Gelid extreme and Arctic silver are generally considered as decent thermal compounds.

Assuming that Premium care entitles to doorstep service you could book a service request for repasting citing excessive temps.

In addition to the above, consider using the laptop with a cooling pad on the bottom and ensure sufficient airflow. In my personal experience I've witnessed people using laptops on a mattress and pillows which effectively cuts off any air intake.

 

[OneTapHero]

Based on your definition of "excessively hot" and its impact no. 3

It doesn't impact his daily tasks like browsing the internet or using Office apps. As per the temperature, the CPU goes to around 85-90 degrees Celsius and the laptop is hot to the touch as it's metal.
I'll contact Lenovo Customer Care and let them know about this issue

 

[Tracer_Bullet]

From my limited experience of few laptops over a decade, gpu and power heavy cpu in laptop = bad experience in Indian conditions.

Within a year or so the cooling system gets choked with dust, and thermal paste for whatever reason tends to get less effective. It can be tedious to open up the laptop and gain access to cpu heatsink ( depends on laptop design, i had to remove almost everything). I did it once long ago and it immediately solved the issue on cpu, but somehow I damaged the dgpu in the process ( cpu had igpu).
But doing this again and again was not something i wanted to do, so i undervolted and downclocked the cpu. That laptop then lasted almost a decade.

Last 2 laptops that i bought both had 15w cpu - and i have not had any heating issue with them ( both lenovo). Its possible that very premium models solve this problem somehow ( but how will they manage dust ?), but value ones don't seem to. I have resolved never to buy gaming laptops ever again. Much prefer desktops.

1) Since its within warranty, take it to them. Don't know if they do this, but try to get them to clean it up and reapply thermal paste.
2) In future, you may want to undervolt cpu/gpu to reduce heat. If needed reduce clocks too to reduce voltage further. Can run benchmark tools and check temperatures to decide how far to go.
3) Probably will need to get laptop serviced from time to time to remove dust or live with reduced performance.

 

[AINDRASIS_GUPTA]

You are instantly calling for trouble when you are buying a high-performance H series 8C/16T CPU inside a slim form factor. I mean what were you thinking? A 6C/12T 5600H would have choked inside that chassis too. Your current solutions would be to change the thermal paste to high-performance ones, such as Cooler Master Master Gel Maker or Kryonaut Extreme. Additionally, start using a laptop stand to improve airflow.

Also, I don't think contacting the Lenovo CC would bring any benefits, since their support is pretty sub-par. Hope they don't further break your laptop instead of fixing it, and then call for a cop-out "motherboard replacement."

 

[nRiTeCh]

My brother had a very horrifying exp. with Lenovo both the laptop and their pathetic cc.
His then laptop was an high-end gaming one on i5 with nvidia gpu. And once a year he had to take laptop to servicing and in 6 years he changed 4 batteries the last 2 from after-market dealer owing to lenovo slapping their excessive charges.. Lenovos chaps are plain chus with no proper troubleshooting ideas and every visit made him visit again as some new issue used to pop-up.
Laptop otherwise was makkhan. No performance issues as he used for office cum gaming just that such laptops have gpu utilization issues. ONly games used to take over the gpu while rest everything used to run on intel gpu which used to cause unnecessary cpu heating.

Finally the gpu died somehow and it was a very bad feeling.

The laptop was with the same after-market dealer for well over 2 months and that guy tried everything he can but to no vail. He used some term for advanced repairs (unable to recall that common term) but again that incurred heavy cost + efforts yet no guarantee how much efficiently it will perform & how long.

Gave the laptop to a bhangarvala after removing its ram/ssd/hdd.

Brother got laptop phobia after that but I gave him a great Dell Ryzen deal from Te 3 years ago and glad his laptop is working 10/10. Else he was going for a desktop rig.

I was always against Lenovo due to bad corporate exp. and few from know people around but brother got a good deal which was only a pain mostly!

 

[abmr2d2]

I've had good experience with Dell with respect to service. One incident I had was around 6 yrs back and another 4 yrs back. In both cases laptops were under extended warranty. I called up CC and they did their typical troubleshooting nonsense and finding the problem to be genuine, parts were replaced. The screen in one case and trackpad assembly in another. Not sure how it is now.

 

[OneTapHero]

change the thermal paste to high-performance ones, such as Cooler Master Master Gel Maker or Kryonaut Extreme. Additionally, start using a laptop stand to improve airflow.

Would Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme be better than the pre-applied thermal paste? I see it being recommended at many places when it comes to laptops (even in this post of mine)

 

[nRiTeCh]

Would Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme be better than the pre-applied thermal paste? I see it being recommended at many places when it comes to laptops (even in this post of mine)

Better use Thermal Grizzly kryonaut. Best of all the available ones..

 

[OneTapHero]

Update: Just wanted to share my experience with Lenovo's Premium Care service. I contacted them just before Premium Care was about to expire, and even though the first call got disconnected, they informed me beforehand that it might happen. During the call, I informed them about the thermal issue and a minor trackpad problem with my laptop.

To my surprise, they sent a technician to my home who replaced the entire chassis of my laptop, including the trackpad, with a brand new one. They also replaced the thermal paste. However, I found it a bit odd that they didn't allow me to use my own thermal paste and insisted on using their own. Maybe it's a company policy or something. I have to learn how to repaste on my own sometime in the future.

Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the service that I received from Lenovo.

(Lenovo says the laptop will be fine upto sustained temperatures of 105 degree Celsius haha)

 

[ibose]

I'm quite satisfied with the service that I received from Lenovo.

Nice to hear such positive experience unlike what was mentioned by someone earlier.

 

[nRiTeCh]

Update: Just wanted to share my experience with Lenovo's Premium Care service. I contacted them just before Premium Care was about to expire, and even though the first call got disconnected, they informed me beforehand that it might happen. During the call, I informed them about the thermal issue and the minor trackpad problem with my laptop.

To my surprise, they sent a technician to my home who replaced the entire chassis of my laptop, including the trackpad, with a brand new one. They also replaced the thermal paste. However, I found it a bit odd that they didn't allow me to use my own thermal paste and insisted on using their own. Maybe it's a company policy or something. I have to learn how to repaste on my own sometime in the future.

Overall, I'm quite satisfied with the service that I received from Lenovo.

(Lenovo says the laptop will be fine upto sustained temperatures of 105 degree Celsius )

Good to know this Premium service is wort to opt for..
Mine was a normal servicing exp.

 

[OneTapHero]

In my previous post, I forgot to mention that the repair was covered under Lenovo's Accidental Damage Protection (ADP). As the coverage was nearing its expiration date, I decided to take advantage of it. Along with the Premium Care package, this combo likely contributed to the good service experience I received from Lenovo. When I purchased the laptop, it came with a complimentary 1-year ADP and Premium Care, as well as a 3-year Extended Warranty. Now, I can rest easy knowing that the premium I paid for this laptop was worth it, at least to some extent