Alienware X51 R3 - Thermal Control bug?

Hi, 

How can you tell that it's overheating? Please try reinstalling the Command Center and use the same version that you are using now. Uninstall it first from "Programs and Features", then restart the system and install it again. If the same issue persists, please send me your Service Tag in a private message, so we can look further into this. 

Hi,

System is overheating because it's close to the TJmax temp as per Intel site. When I discover the issue I was monitoring closely to avoid the system to crash, so anything over 95ºC is what I mean overheating since its usual operating temperature never passes 80ºC when the CPU LC Fan is working properly.

I have tried reinstalling already (multiple times with distinct versions of BIOS), but the problem persists.

My warranty is over by now by the way.  733K382.

Regards

Ok and have you ever tried cleaning the system fans? You could use compressed air to blow out the fans and anything that looks dusty. You would just need to take out the top cover, no other parts. Refer to this video for removing the top cover. 

Thanks, Rodrigo, but you didn't quite understand the problem. Perhaps a more detailed explaining might help you.

The CPU LC Fan works fine when the Thermal Control is set to Auto. The problem occurs when using the "Manual" setting.

As soon as you put on Manual, the LC Fan becomes idle and does not go over 900 RPM (see the attachment). This has nothing to do with the hardware itself.

And, just to reinforce, the LC FAN is not part of the ones I can control (I can only control that one in the bottom, see picture).

So, say for example that the system is under constant load (100% CPU) and working fine, the LC Fan is near 2K RPM, all seems good.

As soon as I set the Thermal Controller to Manual, the LC Fan drops abruptly to less than 900 RPM and stays there, same CPU load. So the system will eventually heat up very fast.

And anticipating the questions, when in Manual, no matter the CPU load, the LC Fan stays at the same speed, always (< 900 RPM).

To resolve, just put back on "Auto", the LC Fan will return to work as intended. So This is clearly not a Hardware problem, is software.

Hope that might clarify a little more. Better than this only a video.

Not sure what is going on here (I don't have a x51-R3 with Liquid Cooling).

However, I do have experience with some other versions or Command Center/ Thermal Controller that run on my Aurora-R1, and also my new Aurora-R6.

I always set my machines to "Manual - User Control". All that is suppose to do it allow you to have pre-determined Control of the Fans. While Fixed is an option, I always use a gradual "up-hill" Curve. This is similar to "Auto - Alien Control" except that YOU define the exact Curve used. Anyway, that's the way it's suppose to work.

Ok, thank you for explaining that. Try uninstalling the Command Center and doing a power drain right after (turn off the system, disconnect the power cord and all external devices, press and hold the power button for 1 minute). After doing this, connect everything again and turn on the system. Install the Command Center using version 4.5.18 and check if it still does the same thing. 

Typically (or in my experience) the "LC Fan" or radiator fan has never been controllable. However, it does rev-up as needed on my machines to keep processor around 70c max (even when all cores are at 100% utilization).

Thanks, I wish the LC Fan was part of the ones I could control that way. If that was the case. If could manage myself and case closed. But since it's not available to be controlled and becoming idle when I'm trying to control the other available Fan, the software has become useless at least on this model. In any case, I have removed the software and, to be honest, I don't see a good reason to put it back. Perhaps in a later date when Dell fixes it.

Regards,

Hi Rodrigo, It didn't work, as I expected.

I create a quick video: X51 - Thermal bug.mkv - Google Drive  , just download the file, for more clarity.

Regards,

Hi ‌, 

Please send me a PM with your Service Tag, so we can escalate your case to our engineering department for their input. 

Hi Rodrigo,

Please take a look at the issue. I think it is self-explanatory that the Thermal Controls software is useless because manual mode only gives control to PCI fan for X51 R3 while loosing autocontrol to CPU LC Fan at the same time.

Hi,

I have X51 R3 LC also and just tried to put the thermal control on manual (I had used manual mode before but never monitor the LC fan, only played with PCI fan curve). I got same result as you, the LC fan stays idle at 900 rpm. So I totally agree with you, manual mode is useless since the only fan that we can control is PCI fan while no control at all for CPU LC Fan.

Greetings, @EdRf ... out of curiousity did alienware/dell ever constuct a solution to this thermal control issue/bug? Was just wondering because I noticed this blog was only about 4 months old and I just got one of these same computers... and am having overheating issues.

Hi,

I have the same problem with X51 R3 LC. It seems that Dell doesn't really care about this issue as no solution has come.