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Hello Poal,

My laptop (Lenovo thinkpad x220) has been going strong for the last year or so, but recently it has been getting much hotter than usual. Even just browsing the internet or watching a DVD.

Do laptops need proper regular maintenance like cars? And should I pay to go get the thermal paste reapplied, etc? I can live with the increased heat, but I'm worried that the higher temperatures will decrease the lifespan of the internals. I don't really want to do it, but if I get a bunch of people screaming in unison at me to go get it done, them I'll capitulate.

I "can" do it myself, but I'd rather pay someone to do it properly and assume the risk if they brick it in the process.

Hello Poal, My laptop (Lenovo thinkpad x220) has been going strong for the last year or so, but recently it has been getting much hotter than usual. Even just browsing the internet or watching a DVD. Do laptops need proper regular maintenance like cars? And should I pay to go get the thermal paste reapplied, etc? I can live with the increased heat, but I'm worried that the higher temperatures will decrease the lifespan of the internals. I don't really want to do it, but if I get a bunch of people screaming in unison at me to go get it done, them I'll capitulate. I "can" do it myself, but I'd rather pay someone to do it properly and assume the risk if they brick it in the process.

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[–] [deleted] • 1 pt

its kinda hard to say, if it was your cooler it would be getting way to hot and shut off on you. i would check to make sure it getting decent airflow

[–] • 0 pt

Well that's good to know.

It's getting how enough to warp the plastic table cover, but it hasn't shut off on me yet.

[–] [deleted] • 0 pt (edited )

it shouldn't do that

i found this when searching

https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X-Series-Laptops/Refurbished-x220-seems-to-be-running-very-hot/td-p/3421086

they recommend thermal paste and cleaning for air flow. the fan is obviously working otherwise it would only stay on a minute or two. I would check air flow first.

if ya have pets fur can get in the inlets, i have to remember to clean off the from of my case because i have a cat and a bird

if that doesnt work i'd try thermal paste, its pretty easy to do. Well, on a desktop it is cause everything is right there. watching this video, it kinda seems like a pain in the butt.

https://youtu.be/VGHPWJXOris

this guys seems legit, i dont think i would have used that much paste tho, if ya use to much it oozes out the side like it was shown when he was cleaning off the orginal stuff. just make sure to clean the heatsink and cpu etc well with alcohol

*edit after looking at that video, i'd just say f'it and call around to what a repair place would charge. seems like to much of pain for me to want to do. i doubt they charge much for it, its up to you

[–] • 1 pt

Yeah, I think I'll just get someone else to do it. If it wasn't my primary computer, I'd have no problems doing it myself, but the risk is too great, and it's pretty cheap here in China.

[–] • 1 pt

It can be dust in the airways or dried out thermal paste (happend to my X200). The X220 is well repairable and you should be able to find the repair manual online. If you're not confident in doing it, there are shops who do it for money, ask for a quotation and see if it's worth it.

[–] • 1 pt

Thinkpads, when IBM made , were good machines.

Lenovo, not so much. They do make better ones..just trying to cash in with the Thinkpad name.

Is your fan running?

[–] • 0 pt

Eh, my old laptop (ASUS) died on me after about 5 years, so I had to get something. This one had the best keyboard, and battery-life. It has integrated graphics - which I purposely chose so as to limit my ability to "game" - but I'm kinda regretting that now.

My fan is running, but now I'm looking into options (linux) to be able to manually "force" the fan to 100% when I feel it's getting too hot.

[–] • 0 pt

Intergrated graphics is a negative but its a laptop .. you have to spend more for one with a graphics card. So that's the balance I guess.

One of my Thinkpads had a desktop CPU ... with a large heatsink to compensate.....so it weighed more than most laptops.

That's the choice the man. has...larger heatsink=more wt...a negative for a laptop.

So it sounds like your computer is fine...bottoms of laptops get hot. Just the reality of some of them. The components should be fine.

Want cooler? They make cooling pads if you wish. That's about all you can do.

[–] • 0 pt

Nah, I purposely went for one without a graphics card because I wanted to make it strictly work and other useful stuff, not gaming... didn't last long.

When I get another (hopefully after another four years), I'll be getting something with a proper graphics card because I've run into trouble playing 720p vids on a TV.

I don't really car how hot it gets, as long as it doesn't damage or decrease the life of the machine. I know apple stuff runs super hot, but is all covered up so that the user won't notice most of the time.

[–] • 1 pt

Are the vents clear? I'd get a can of compressed air and blow them out just to be sure.

[–] • 0 pt

I can't really tell: the holes are quite small. Do I need to take it apart to blow out the vents?

[–] • 0 pt

you might. Start by blowing out the vents. If that doesn't help take it a part.