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The following article provides information how to measure the thermal temperature on Alienware M15 R4/M17 R4 with Alienware Command Center. Table of Contents: 1. Selectable operating thermal mode in Alienware Command Center 2. High CPU temperature troubleshooting steps 3. CPU Tcc Offset Slider 4. FAQ 1. Selectable operating mode in Alienware Command Center Five operating thermal modes are provided in Alienware Command Center. These modes are: Full Speed Mode, Performance Mode, Balanced Mode, Cool Mode, and Quiet Mode. Fan acoustic level and computer performance are the main difference between each mode. 1.1 Full Speed Mode The fan spins at full speed to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable. 1.2 Performance Mode The fan spins aggressively to support the CPU operating at turbo frequency for a longer time. The fan noise is noticeable. 1.3 Balanced Mode The fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency is shorter. 1.4 Cool Mode The fan spins in a moderate manner. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the GPU and GPU performance will be limited for better skin comfort and battery life. 1.5 Quiet mode The fan runs in a quieter level than Balanced Mode. Fan sound is less noticeable, but the period for the CPU to operate at turbo frequency would be lower and shorter. *Note: Regardless of operating modes, CPU temperature can exceed 99 degree C than trigger Thermal Event (TCC) under heavy loading. When TCC is activated, the CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency decreases a couple hundred MHz. This decreases the rising temperature and allows the computer thermal control mechanism to achieve the best thermal performance balance. Customers may be concerned about such a high CPU temperature condition, but it is a general design of all gaming laptop. 2. High CPU temperature troubleshooting steps 2.1 First verify using the ePSA diagnostics that the computer has an overheating issue. 2.2 Set the test environment and plug the AC adapter to the test unit. 2.3 Change operating thermal mode to " Performance/Cool Mode " in Alienware Command Center. a. Launch Alienware Command Center. b. Click the HOME tab. c. Click the Thermal icon, select the proper operating mode. 2.4 Use Dell SupportAssist to stress the CPU. a. Launch My Alienware. b. Click SUPPORT. c. Click the Troubleshooting tab. d. Click I want to troubleshoot my PC. e. Click I want to check a specific piece of hardware. f. Click CPU. g. Select CPU Stress Test. h. Click the Run Test button. 2.5 Select the FUSION Page to monitor the CPU Frequency and CPU temperature. AWCC Processor CPU Clock CPU Temperature Operating Mode (During the first 5 minutes Alienware SupportAssist CPU Stress Test) Performance Mode i9-10980HK 3900 MHz~4800 MHz may be up to 100 o C i7-10870H 3700 MHz~4500 MHz Cool Mode i9-10980HK 3000 MHz~4800 MHz <100 o C i7-10870H 2900NHz~4500 MHz 3. CPU Tcc Offset Slider CPU Tcc Offset Slider This is a brand-new feature for Alienware laptops, Tcc allows users to customize their own CPU thermal event (Tcc) triggering point setting. The offset range is 0~15 degrees C (default is 0). The CPU Tj(max) can be 85~100 degree C. According to the statement from Intel, regardless of AWCC operating modes, CPU temperature can exceed 99-degree C, then trigger thermal event (Tcc) under heavy loading. When a Tcc event occurs, the CPU Power Limit 1 (PL1) frequency will decrease a couple hundred MHz. This reduces the rising temperature and allows computer thermal control mechanism to achieve the best thermal performance balance. Although it is a general design of all gaming laptops, customers may still be concerned about high CPU temperature conditions. Third-party tools such as HW monitor info, show warning messages and CPU temperatures in red font when CPU T > 90 degree C. CPU Tcc Offset Slider provides customers more authority to adjust the CPU thermal event algorithm. How to adjust Tcc Offset Slider. 3.1 Press F2 during computer POST 3.2 Click Advanced. 3.3 Click Performance Options. 3.4 Input the value of Tcc Activation Offset (0-15). 3.5 Press F10 to save and reboot. 4. FAQ 4.1 Why does the computer Diagnostic Tool post "High CPU temperature" in computer idle mode? In the computer "is idle,"the computer is not truly idle. There are still some background tasks operating in high CPU frequency. These induce a high CPU temperature peak value (within 1 sec) then down to a lower average temperature. 4.2 Does the CPU get damaged when CPU temperature reaches 100-degree C? No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100 degree C Statement from Intel The processor supplies a method (the Digital Thermal Sensor or DTS) to report real time die temperature below, equal to, or above Tj(max). While the die should not run above Tj (max), a temperature value above Tj(max) may occur occasionally under normal operation. (Tj(max)=100) 4.3 Does the CPU overheat when some tools report "CPU overheat / 100 degree C "or "Thermal throttling/Tcc"? No. The CPU operates well under the Intel CPU specification: Tjmax=100 degree C For new generation processors, when the CPU operates with max frequency, the thermal throttling or thermal events are often triggered. These achieve a balance between thermal comfort and performance by dynamically adjusting the CPU power. You can neglect those warning messages if the CPU operates at a boost frequency which is higher than the CPU base frequency defined by processor manufacturers such as Intel. 4.4 Why does a computer diagnostic tool post "high CPU temperature" in gaming applications or graphic stress applications? Some Gaming/Graphic stress applications combining with heavy CPU loading causes high CPU temperature. 4.5 Is CPU peak temperature under Balanced Mode lower than Performance Mode? No. Under Balanced Mode, the CPU can still boost to its highest frequency within a short period and induce high peak temperature. CPU high peak temperature is designed to strive for the best performance regardless of cooling mode. These mode options are: "Full Speed Mode," "Performance Mode," "Balanced Mode," "Quiet Mode," or "Cool Mode." 4.6 Is the feature "CPU Tcc Offset Slider" only at Alienware M15 R4/M17 R4? Yes, Alienware M15 R4/M17 R4 is the first Alienware gaming computer having "CPU Tcc Offset Slider" feature (in January 2021).
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