ThinkPad X220 overheating

[uni_0n]

Hello everyone!
I'm completely tired that my X220 on with i7-2640M CPU heats up to 96 degrees very often.
Heatsink from X230 and Arctic Cooling MX-4 thermal paste does not help.
And it feels like something is strangling my X220, I have a neighboring laptop with i7-2620m CPU, it works smoother and even at resolution of 1600x900.

What type small copper plates can I order for cooling?
Tell me the best thermal pad for cooling the chipset.
I have already chosen the thermal paste, this is Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.

If it doesn't help, I'll sell it. I give up.
I'm tired. I want myself some kind of thinkpad with last good and stock i7-4712MQ CPU.

[atagunov]

Hi there, not much experience with thermals - my X220 just runs I never bothered to check the temps - the fan noise is not too annoying..

But the folks over here are mentioning some "AVC" heatsinks.. Does anybody know what they are/if they're good?

When you buy the AVC, look for FRU 04W6923. There is another FRU for AVC (04W6924) but that is for the ULV CPU so it might be weaker (just an assumption)

Hmm..

I want myself some kind of thinkpad with last good and stock i7-4712MQ CPU.

Is that what T440p can sport? T440p is nice and can take latest low energy IGZO panels.. On the other hand if you still prefer X220 form factor and keyboard that i7-3615QE (this is what the reddit thread linked above points to) has a CPU rating of 5174 on www.cpubenchmark.net while i7-4712MQ is just a notch above at 5199

[uni_0n]

The T440p seems to be my dream
Will the t440p overheat with nvidia geforce gt 730M gpu and i7-4712mq (only 37W tdp like i5 4200M/i7 4600M) installed?
it's very good to hear that in t440p I can swap the cpu. it was considered almost impossible for me to find an X220 in top-package variant.

[atagunov]

Will the t440p overheat with nvidia geforce gt 730M gpu and i7-4712mq (only 37W tdp like i5 4200M/i7 4600M) installed?

I'd give both reddit and this forum a search via any popular search engine..
People have tried all sorts of CPU-s in t440p

it was considered almost impossible for me to find an X220 in top-package variant.

Well now we have the option thanks to those motherboards with quad cores soldered on!
A bit expensive, especially inclusive of 20% UK import VAT but not impossible..
I'm abstaining so far though, mostly due to price

On the one hand keyboard on X220 can feel so much better, on the other the screen in T440p can be so much better

[uni_0n]

And for how much can I sell my X220?
There is nothing modified (not even bios).
All stock in perfect condition with new 9 cell battery (not fabric, without deterioration).

[atagunov]

And for how much can I sell my X220?

Interesting question.. I would probably check ebay, possibly watch a couple of them getting sold to see how much they're going for.. My gut feeling is between $120 and $200 but I find it hard to be more precise. Amount of RAM installed, presence of SSD would probably impact the price - a little. I guess people on ebay might be more willing to buy if you offer a fresh licensed Windows install. I guess they may prefer Win 10 but I don't know how well Win 10 works on X220 - I'm a Linux person. Overall cosmetic condition will matter too.

We have a Marketplace section on this forum too - you will need to specify the asking price and give an idea of postage expenses, link to photos. An "FS" (for sale) advert on this website can stay on indefinitely long - I think, though of course it will keep scrolling down the forum without responses. You can gradually lower the price if you like too by editing the post and posting updates to UP it if you like.

[axur-delmeria]

If you've done all you can hardware-wise (change thermal paste, clean heatsink, replace heatsink, etc.) and not find a solution, what you can do is reduce the maximum clock speed of the processor and the built-in graphics. On Windows, decrease the max processor state to 99% to disable Turbo Boost; you may set it to a lower percentage as needed (between 75-80% usually yields a good balance between temperature and performance).

Haven't tried controlling the graphics performance, but adjusting this setting may work:



If you're running Linux, install TLP, then change the following settings:

Code: Select all

#CPU_BOOST_ON_AC=1
#CPU_BOOST_ON_BAT=0

First off, delete the leading # to enable the setting, then change CPU_BOOST_ON_AC from 1 to 0 (zero), This disables Turbo Boost.

Code: Select all

#CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_AC=100
#CPU_MAX_PERF_ON_BAT=30

Same as Windows.

Code: Select all

#INTEL_GPU_MAX_FREQ_ON_AC=0
#INTEL_GPU_MAX_FREQ_ON_BAT=0
#INTEL_GPU_BOOST_FREQ_ON_AC=0
#INTEL_GPU_BOOST_FREQ_ON_BAT=0

You can determine the available speeds by running

Code: Select all

tlp-stat -g

on a root terminal.

On my X220, I set the GPU_MAX_FREQ_ON_AC to 900 and INTEL_GPU_BOOST_FREQ_ON_AC to 1100. For BAT, I set them to 750 max, 850 boost.

To apply the new settings, run

Code: Select all

tlp start

on a root terminal.

[skx]

The issue is Windows. Use linux with tlp and thinkfan and your x220 will idle around 50 °C. My girlfriend s x220 is steaming hot on W10 and silent and cool on her dual boot Debian. Trash windows, its invading your privacy and it doesn't care about your old hardware.

[axur-delmeria]

Ah, yes. Fan control. Something I often forget since I only need to do it right once, then just copy the config file to the new install.

There's TPFanControl for Windows, and you can set up a more aggressive fan profile. Mine is set up to kick the fan to the max above 75c.

[uni_0n]

After sitting and thinking, I came to the conclusion, that it was pointless to sell mine pretty X220, since I invested a lot of money here and I was lucky with the purchase of some components tho.
I will order another motherboard with i7 2640m same CPU. I think I will do it with Aliexpress, because eBay isn't an option. I am sure, that this thing will be the most reasonable approach to this situation. I need to use my second laptop (it is not thinkpad or lenovo brand) for now, since my student budget does not allow. Most likely I will do it closer to autumn and before winter

[axur-delmeria]

I'm still rocking an X220-- heck, I'm actually typing this post on my second one.

Are your X220's temperatures still bad? I've noticed that my primary laptop (X220 i7-2620M) idles a bit higher (high 50s) than this X220 i5-2520M (low 50s). I've used Kryonaut paste on both. That's why sometimes I get tempted to use liquid metal despite the risks.

[uni_0n]

Hello everyone. Now i bought a motherboard with i7-2640M CPU for my X220. Im so glad
I will go to work with my X220 and have some chill there very soon
Thank you everyone for help, i forgot to say

[uni_0n]

Good day everyone!
Well... I don't know how that's good to say, if i bought some ThinkPad T440p finally, how glad I am! He looks really like new.
Honestly, I was shocked when I i could see i7-4710MQ processor in Task Manager instead of the "typically expected" i7-4600/4610M.
I will anyways downgrade to i7-4712MQ. I have very good reasons for this. Discrete green card - GT 730M with 1GB DDR3 is present. I even got the keyboard backlight
I really thinking to put a touchpad from the T540p!
And i7-4710MQ - will run away for sale with some of the L440s (which I got in a mountain of laptops, I'm like a sysadmin)

But!
I’ll think about where to attach my X220 with i7-2640M, I don’t know yet. But the "soul" discourages selling something. The motherboard has not yet arrived

t440p.png on Google Photos

[uni_0n]

Good night, mates!
Got a great used ThinkPad X220 motherboard with i7-2640M CPU from AliExpress, check out my situation
When the laptop is assembled, that CPU is still going up to 96 degrees (limit) while gaming and gets something called "throttling".

However, this processor does not have any powerlimits, which can be used to work on it. I mean absolutely no any limits in Throttlestop could be seen. Yes, i know about BD-Prochot (T-junction).
I think the problem is cooling area. With that motherboard i got also a 3pin fan from Х230 (works like ez in 4pin socket).
For now, i disassembled the laptop from A to Z, took the motherboard out of the case and put it on the some canvas, connected everything and started it - surprisingly, the CPU does not warm up in games more than 70-85 degrees. Now I went to a random page in Google to load the CPU for online, I've been driving it for 1 hour - the processor does not heat up more than 91 degrees, being stable from 88 degrees ( by the ThrottleStop indicators) at a frequency of 3.2ghz (mostly) and 3.3ghz (in places).
I could be a bit sure, that china thermal pad from aliexpress on the chipset does most effective cooling, but The MX4 thermal paste isn't problem either, trust me
On all my devices, i don't using thermal paste like (bruh) GD900 and noname thermal pads
Can someone help me to maximize cooling system in my X220? Maybe i could bring some: thermal pads, copper foliage, copper pads. How to put them right? Does it help to put many possible thermal pads on heatsink?

Does Lenovo stamped out the top packages of X220 with I7-2640M and already throttling? Because cooling heatsink in X220 a bit lower than X230 and who know's what kind of thermal paste that was.
...

I can't sell my X220, because this machine is unbelievable

upd 24.10.2021:
gonna find some Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad 8 (3mm) for chipset and Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut - 11.1g for CPU

[uni_0n]

Small update:
T440p: I already installed an I7-4712MQ processor and expensive thermal paste Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut. The laptop is very cold. Has never reached critical temperatures. At rest, with the opening of many programs, the fan in the cooling system works passively, and on stock heatsink since 2013. I think this is the maximum level of this cooling. Considering most balances (TDP <-> effective cooling). I have no idea how do guys put i7-4910MQ like and etc.
In principle, the laptop is ready. I changed the touchpad from clunkpad to a normal one. Now it remains to find a working fingerprint and go to the side of upgrading components such as RAM (16GB DDR3 2133MHz) and large SSD volume.

X220: Expensive thermal paste did not help. Additional radiators that I ordered from aliexpress are quite difficult to install. Thin radiators did not come.
I will order soon delta-type heatsink. I'm going to look at other small radiators. Still disassembled

[axur-delmeria]

X220: Expensive thermal paste did not help.

That was expected TBH. That's why I've been considering liquid metal.

[uni_0n]

X220: Expensive thermal paste did not help.

That was expected TBH. That's why I've been considering liquid metal.

Thanks. I will take this moment into future, if there will still be no success

[dr_st]

Why do some X220 overheat worse than others? I have an X220 w/ i7-2640M, and while it sometimes runs hot when under load, it does not get over 90C very often. I wonder if it is a hardware issue due to specific problems with heatsink, thermal paste - or is it various workflows, even if all show 100% CPU load, still differ on the amount of stress they cause on the CPU (and the subsequent temperature increase).

[uni_0n]

Why do some X220 overheat worse than others? I have an X220 w/ i7-2640M, and while it sometimes runs hot when under load, it does not get over 90C very often. I wonder if it is a hardware issue due to specific problems with heatsink, thermal paste - or is it various workflows, even if all show 100% CPU load, still differ on the amount of stress they cause on the CPU (and the subsequent temperature increase).

Lenovo should make a temperature limit for X220 CPU's like Intel - 105 degrees celsius instead of 96 degrees. I would be so happy.

[dr_st]

I just ran a little test - took my X220, docked (on Ultrabase) and plugged in, ran 4 instances of an endless loop batch file (to get CPU to 100%) and monitored temps with TPFanControl for about an hour. It never went above 83C, and at some point went down to 78C and stabilized there (fan was at BIOS setting, running between 4500 and 5000RPM at peak).

Granted, it is winter and rather cool here, but again I wonder if there are more taxing workflows. I've certainly seen the temperature over 90C in the past, just not frequently.

[uni_0n]

Good evening gentlemen. I sat here and thought. I can't watch my poor x220 lying idle. This can not continue like that, and nothing will change if I do not come to action.
Finally, I made a plan.
1. I will order a motherboard with i5-2540M processor. Still rocks tho
2. I will order bluetooth 4.0 module (FRU 60Y3305 from Liteon) instead of stock 3.0-version (did not know about it)
3. I will order the most efficient-cooling heatsink (AVC) from x230
4. Some 6-cell battery, because i no longer need 9-cell due to conditions at this time
5. Yes, I will lose USB 3.0, but no one canceled express cards! (required for myh docking station )
I'm not going to connect an external video card to the x220 since I don't play games on any laptops.
I prefer also stock condition for that most, without any homemade mods.
And I will try to sell motherboards with an i7 processor from which I refused.
Thanks to all!

[shawross]

There are plenty of tweaks that you can make in the BIOS depending on your power needs and usage.

I am running the modified 1.46 version. Under Advanced/Processor Config there are options as well as the normal Config/Power settings.

Because of your issues I would go hard in limiting power then see how that affects your usage.

Under Advanced/Thermal Config/Platform Thermal config you have options for fan control and even a trip point setting and mine is set to 79 deg C.

I do use the dock which probably limits heatsink airflow as well.

[benlimanto]

I just want to add something, as I'm using X220 with i7-2640m, I disable the hyper thread, but kept using virtualization, it drop my idle from 50*C to 41*C, and if the room cool enough (24*C, or less), it will drop to 37-38*C, on light browsing using firefox on W10 21H2, it can stay about 45*C, zoom meeting about 55*C average from 70*C with hyperthread, and no slow/sluggish on powersave when disabling hyper thread.

As I don't do heavy computation, I don't think Hyper Thread give me any performance hit by disabling it, and my Firefox become smoother than before while browsing. I kept any power related in BIOS to balance, and it went very well for me. On O365 Word or Excel, I can stay about 41-42*C writing thesis and research paper, 45*C while running GVim with coc.nvim php-ls, coc-python, coc-* plugins, simple openRA, tiberian sun, dune 2000, red alert 1 gaming, about 53-55*C at peak, rendering zoom meet video, about 65*C to 70*C (but I move it to cloud, download it using CURL, and move it to my Drive, I love my X220, so I better pay for rendering in cloud), run VS Code with many extension(20-30 ext), stay at 50*C.

Building C# ASP.NET Core 6.0, no different in time building but temp drop from 60*C to 50*C, it's good, and other database like MySQL, Postgree, and SQL Server 2019 run well for development purpose with million of row line, no performance hit.

I think based on my scenario, I assume the hyperthread really make the CPU process chunk of computation that's unnecessary in some point, and our cpu is old, let it have some space to breath. I would rather give up 5-15% improvement, than make my X220 died fast.

TLDR; disabling hyper thread, drop 10*C on average to 40*C.

[axur-delmeria]

Interesting findings.

Though with how Windows 10 does a lot of things in the background, losing half the number of CPU cores and 30%-40% of performance may be detrimental to some use cases.

[benlimanto]

Interesting findings.

Though with how Windows 10 does a lot of things in the background, losing half the number of CPU cores and 30%-40% of performance may be detrimental to some use cases.

I think for real world computation, only about 15% maximum, as it's 2nd gen sandy bridge CPU, because heavy computation that I do is building C# project, which is categorized heavy, but I time and look on the binary, no performance hit. I don't know for game, probably game can gain until 30% but seems it shouldn't that big til 40%, as most of software run single thread, and mostly stay in CPU 0 or 1, well, web browser is different but I don't see any performance decrease on WebGL or other.

Anyway my experience is only with tools that I build and works I done as I state before, it can be different with heavy computation software like SPSS or such, but I don't see anything new rather than 8gen CPU from Intel on mobile chip.

[benlimanto]

The issue is Windows. Use linux with tlp and thinkfan and your x220 will idle around 50 °C. My girlfriend s x220 is steaming hot on W10 and silent and cool on her dual boot Debian. Trash windows, its invading your privacy and it doesn't care about your old hardware.

Just downgrade to Windows 7 after getting fed up with Windows 10 21h2 august update that wipe whole my user folder. I disable HyperThread plus removing DDR3L RAM and fed it with DDR3 RAM, the RAM port doesn't felt hot like before, and it seems okay, no high temp whatsoever. I remember someone on this forum told me that DDR3L on DDR3 port will overheat... I think that's true based on my experience. Just with DDR3L to DDR3 I lost about 4GB RAM, because the DDR3 I lend from my friend only has 4x2, not 8gb and 4gb like before.

I just sad that my 8GB DDR3L stick need to be sold I think (if possible), so I can have the DDR3, and I hope I can afford to buy DDR3 after I sold the 8GB DDR3 stick.

[uni_0n]

Hi everyone. I am forced to close this story and put an end to it
What I learned during the last answer in the topic:
Recently I locally bought another ThinkPad X220 for cheap, again in an expensive configuration with i7-2640M CPU, 8GB RAM, HD IPS and 160GB SSD. The whole configuration of laptop is still stock.
Dismantled it carefully, cleaned, added expensive thermal compound, assembled. No sense, at all. It still heats up so much, 96 degrees for CPU in long peak tasks. So, I don’t know why Lenovo decided to reduce the value of tJunction (frequency throttling when the maximum temperature is reached) to 96 degrees celsius, when the original value from Intel is at around 100 degrees. Yes even if the value of tJunction could be 100 degrees, it would warm up anyways. And the cooling here bad. Even the heatsink from X230 does not matter.
Are there no cooling mods for X220/X230? Taobao? Planned laptop obsolescence - marketing? What's wrong with those engieeners?
I'm tired
Gonna sell laptops and parts.
I would love to switch to X230, where the tJunction value of CPU is at 105 degrees, which is just great, but i think it does not make so much sense for me. I have a ThinkPad T440p and i bring it to workplace. Maybe serious I don’t need a second laptop. No mater how it sounds, sad or great, I have nothing bad against specially x220/x230 working machines. In my enthusiast thinkpad-look the last good thinkpads ended when Lenovo switched to the new company logo. I'm not a traitor, I know the legend and charm of this line laptops. I'm happy with my T440p and enjoy every happy day. I got a new motherboard recently for him, I now have a fingerprint scanner working back after waiting so long. Thank you all, I don't impose my opinion on anyone, each one is dear to his thinkpad!

[crumby]

Hello!

I bought a x220 i5 2420 in 2011. I had the whiny fan issue. The x230 AVC fan later solved the problem.
The computer started to randomly shutdown (incl. during idle and not hot at all) few years later.

Last year i finally decided to buy a new motherboard. I bought one with the same CPU, part no. 04W0676 (i remember there is a lot of differents version available, depending on manufacturer and some bios options..)

I installed a proper updated win7 with all necessary software, just like before.

First thing to notice was the whiny fan. Again i replaced it with a x230 AVC heatsink + fan.
Despite this, the computer always run hotter than before. The fan kick-in earlier and i can feel the heat under the keyboard.
It is not super hot but definitively hotter than my original motherboard. I disasembled the heatsink to re-aply thermal paste again to no avail.

I wonder if some CPU batches just run hotter...
So frustrating.

[axur-delmeria]

These kinds of issues popped up on X201 units a few years before, now it's happening to the X220, including mine.
I don't know if this is something caused by aging electronics on the system board (imagine the VRMs delivering slightly higher voltages than it should), or that the processor itself runs hotter as it ages--reminds me of the failure point of some overclocked 45nm Core 2 Duo's after a few years, which started heating up, then eventually dying. From what I've read on the issue, it was caused by electromigration on the processor silicon itself.

[uni_0n]

Of course, X220 with i5-2540M, 2520M and processors below - will run easy