New Acer Swift Go 14 - Gets Extremely Hot when Playing Roblox SFG14-71-56WK.

CraigB81
CraigB81 Member Posts: 3 New User
edited December 2023 in Swift and Spin Series

Hi I have just purchased a new laptop for my son (Acer Swift Go 14 with Intel i5-13500H processor - SFG14-71-56WK.

This laptop works great for standard desktop stuff including Youtube (at times gets a little warm but no more than normal for previous laptops). For clarification purchased today and being used on flat laminate desk so nothing blocking air vents etc. Also have just returned the same model last week for this issue so doesn't appear to be a hardware fault as such

TO CLARIFY THIS IS ONLY AN ISSUE WHEN LAPTOP CONNECTED TO AC POWER. WHEN RUNNING ON BATTERY IT IS

When he opens Roblox however parts of the laptop (particularly across the top mid section) but also some of the keys get extremely hot (particularly around S/D/F). After about 10 - 15 minutes or so it can get so hot that if you rest for finger on it for more than a couple of seconds feels like it is going to burn

In HWMonitor (Temperature monitoring app) it indicates temp of processors is hitting mid 90's but sustained in the high 80's at a minimum. Have tried various things to lower CPU load in app and from task manager. If I set the app to efficiency mode it can knock the temp down to around 60. But I have to go into task manager each time the app is open to do this.

Have tried to also set the power plan to maximum of 60% processor but it doesn't seem to have effect.

Any advice how to stop Roblox from using so much resources and causing this to overheat. Never been an issue on any of our other laptops or previous ones. Much appreciate any advice.

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

Answers

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,316 Trailblazer

    The issue is that the GPU and CPU load when running the game is drawing enough power that the charger is working at full capacity, which generates the heat. Running on battery doesn't have the charge function active, so the only heat generated is from the CPU/GPU itself. The issue, of course, with running only on battery is it doesn't last long enough for longer sessions. You might try one of those gizmos that sit under the laptop with fan to provide extra cooling.

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  • CraigB81
    CraigB81 Member Posts: 3 New User

    Thanks for the reply Billsey,

    I would have thought though that the GPU/CPU would auto throttle back to prevent the excessive temps (like I think I said parts of the top of the case are heating 50 degrees Celsius with keys getting to mid 40's).

    I have started using a program called Process Lasso (currently in 7 day trial mode) which I have set to automatically pushes the app to efficiency mode when it starts and this seems to be enough to solve the heat issue but it is crashing on him a bit (though apparently according to him that is common at least with his older much slower laptop but can't discount this as being associated with cause here). Is there a better way to throttle or limit the CPU performance (peak / sustained). I don't mind knocking say 20% or so off the maximum and or sustained power of CPU but when I try doing that in power management it doesn't seem to do anything (set both the on AC and battery variables and appeared to make no difference).

    Also cautious of while Process Lasso is seemingly working now what if he installs another app which does the same thing and unbeknownst to me / him it gets extremely hot and burns him or worse (he is autistic and has minimal sense of temperature a lot of the time especially if he is focused on something else). Would much rather a solution that I can limit CPU performance or set temperature constraints to limit this (ideally built into a Windows service or made / endorsed by Acer / Intel would be ideal. I did look at Intel XTU software but it appears it doesn't support my processor only the HX version of my chipset.

    Appreciate any advice in resolving this or taking steps in right direction.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,316 Trailblazer

    There are settings in power options under Windows to limit the maximum CPU speed. Try changing those:

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  • CraigB81
    CraigB81 Member Posts: 3 New User

    I tried decreasing that setting down to 60% (both Battery and Plugged In) and still the CPU use was maxing out at approx 4.6Ghz and temps super high around 90 - 95 degrees C. As such it seems that doesn't have any impact. Is there some other setting that I need to change to enable this setting to have an affect. I have verified settings saved and rebooted and still no impact.

  • billsey
    billsey ACE Posts: 34,316 Trailblazer

    Sounds like your issue then is more likely in the cooling system hardware, perhaps the thermal paste wasn't applied well at the factory. Go ahead an open a ticket with Acer support and see what they say.

    Click on "Like" if you find my answer useful or click on "Yes" if it answers your question.

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