Strange Issue Concerning WoW (Not the loading screen problem)

[Parhadox]

As the subject says, this is not the typical "My loading screen sits at full and nothing happens" question, even though it actually happens a lot! (lol)

Anywho, here is my computer information before beginning, anything else that anyone might need, let me know:

Alienware M15
Processor: Intel Core i7 CPU Q 720 @ 1.60GHz
Installed memory (RAM): 4.00GB
System Type: 64-bit operating system

Now, this problem was not something that happened all the time, but I can't remember when it began.

Anywho, on to the ACTUAL problem:

To my understanding this machine should be running WoW at a constant 60FPS, at least I thought so. At first I had no troubles running WoW with my addons, raiding with it, etc.. at full potential, but suddenly, from one day to the other, my WoW has random drops in FPS.

For example, I turn on the computer, turn on WoW and play it, it's going to be running at 30FPS or less. I restart my computer and then it runs at 60FPS. This is an issue that randomly occurs to me during the day and I have no clue how to solve it.

Not related to WoW my computer performs normally as it did since day 1, I have Norton 360 as my anti-virus and I do weekly scans and such and it never returns any threats.

Thanks in advance for any help,

[Cilraaz]

How are your temperatures?

[Parhadox]

I downloaded core temp, is their any specific thing I should do while it displays my temperature, or does just having WoW on suffice?

[Cilraaz]

I would just run WoW for a little bit, wait for some framerate issues, and then check your CPU temps.

[Parhadox]

SO I ran a random, sat in Dalaran, all that good stuff. I don't know much about this so I thought you could help out if I give you the following info, it's a couple of screenshots I used using CoreTemp.

1. Computer Idle
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...mputerIdle.png

2.Just turned on WoW
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...urnedonWoW.png

3. Queing for Random (At org 30FPS)
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...andom30FPS.png

4. During Random (59.4FPS)
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...omSolidFPS.png

5. During Random 2
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...ingrandom2.png

6.After the Random
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...fterRandom.png

7. After the random 2
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...terRandom2.png

8. In Dal
http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/t...ayinginDal.png

[Manwoman]

That's a warm CPU. I'm running at 40 degrees. I think 70-80 is pretty damn high.

[Cilraaz]

70-80*C is a bit hot. How long have you had the laptop? Is it overclocked at all? I noticed it's running a bit over 1.7GHz when the CPU is rated at 1.6GHz. When was the last time it was cleaned? Do you use a laptop cooling pad?

As far as the framerate drop goes, the CPU isn't downclocking when you're seeing the framerate drop. Perhaps it's your GPU then? I would download GPU-Z and check your temperatures with that. I would go to the sensor tab and set your GPU core temperature to show the maximum temp achieved (that way you don't miss it spiking at any point). It's possible that your GPU is downclocking and costing you performance, but your CPU temps are still something to take a look at since they are up a bit.

[Parhadox]

I've had this computer for about 5-6 months now.

Overclocked?

By Cleaned, do you mean physically or using software, etc..?

I do not use a laptop cooling pad.

Once I download GPU-Z, should I run the same tests?

Anywho, all of this seems to point back to temperature, what are the options that I could do to fix this?

[Cilraaz]

I've had this computer for about 5-6 months now.

Overclocked?

Running at a higher speed than advertised. Some higher end computers come pre-overclocked from the factory, but are almost always advertised as such.

By Cleaned, do you mean physically or using software, etc..?

Physically. Dust can accumulate, which causes extra heat to build up, which can lower performance or damage parts.

I do not use a laptop cooling pad.

It might be something to look into if you can't get those temperatures down.

Once I download GPU-Z, should I run the same tests?

Yes.

Anywho, all of this seems to point back to temperature, what are the options that I could do to fix this?

The big thing would be cleaning. Dust tends to build up worse in laptops than desktops, which makes them run hotter than when they were brand new.

[Parhadox]

Well, since I don't really feel comfortable cleaning my laptop, except for the 2 fans it has underneath, I don't know about cleaning it. I've been monitoring the temperatures along the day and they seem to vary along the same ones with or without WoW (it's fucking hot outside.) I found a fan around my house but it's a cheap one that doesn't seem to be doing much. I'm thinking of buying a fan just in case, worried this might get even more complicated in the near future, any recommendation?

http://www.dell.com/us/en/home/noteb...5x&cs=19&s=dhs

that's the actual laptop.

Btw, thank you so much for all the constant help Cilraaz, I really appreciate it and sorry for not having a better grasp to give you the full information that you need to help.

Edit: Typos

[Cilraaz]

Really, if it's only 5-6 months old, it shouldn't be caked with enough dust to be causing those types of temperatures (unless you live in some sort of dust factory). I've always heard that Alienware laptops run hot, but I wouldn't have thought that hot. At 5-6 months old, it should still be well within warranty, though. So you might contact Dell for suggestions.

Does anyone else here have any experience with Alienware laptops?