# Video Card thermal limit only 65? **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [July 14, 2023, 12:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024 "2023-07-14T12:26:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024/21 "2023-07-15T19:20:01Z")
I’ve had computers, such as my present (very old) notebook that shut down without any warning when a temp limit is exceeded. How do you stop it from doing that? Yes, I know it’s a safety feature. But in this case I don’t care. I had it cleaned and the thermal paste replaced last year, so at this point I consider the computer a goner in the near future. I keep everything backed up, so at this point I just want the goddam thing to stop shutting down spontaneously. This happens a couple of times a week, annoyingly with no discernible pattern. Certain web sites (including, but not always, the SDMB) cause the fan to start revving up and down which usually leads to a shutdown moments later. I’ve already tried the usual solutions - I’ve changed the power settings within Windows and in the BIOS with no improvement. If the thing fries itself, fine. But until then I just want it to stop shutting down. Oh, and I’d like the name of the guy who decided it would be a good idea for the computer to shut down with no warning so I can go kick him in the nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024/22 "2023-07-15T19:52:50Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’ve had computers, such as my present (very old) notebook that shut down without any warning when a temp limit is exceeded. How do you stop it from doing that? Typically you can’t as it’s baked into the BIOS to shut down once it hits a certain temperature. Before that happens, it will “throttle” where it significantly reduces its speed/power to generate less heat. But if throttling doesn’t work it’s designed to shut down before damaging itself. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024/23 "2023-07-15T20:38:51Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’ve changed the power settings within Windows and in the BIOS with no improvement. I assume you’ve tried this, but deep in the power settings menu of Windows you can cap the CPU max percentage to less than 100%. Typically, setting it to something like 95% should significantly reduce how hard it works (how hot it gets) and how fast the fans need to spin. My gaming laptop would get _really_ hot, as would its power brick. Not quite hot enough to burn skin, but not far off either. I went in and capped it at 95%, and then the temperatures cooled way down. Still hot, but just normal hot, not “can this burn me?” hot. If you haven’t actually messed with that setting, I can take a look and see if I can figure out exactly where it is. ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2023, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024/24 "2023-07-15T22:11:03Z")
> [@EllisDee](#): > > If you haven’t actually messed with that setting, I can take a look and see if I can figure out exactly where it is. I haven’t tried that before, but I found it within advanced power settings. I’ll see what happens over the next day or two - thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Pasta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecccb3/32.png) [@Pasta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pasta)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2023, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024/25 "2023-07-16T02:29:38Z")
> [@Llama\_Llogophile](#): > > I’ve had computers, such as my present (very old) notebook that shut down without any warning when a temp limit is exceeded. How do you stop it from doing that? You don’t, and it’s not supposed to happen except as a very last resort. If that’s happening, it’s your computer trying to protect your CPU from literally cooking to death. This can happen because you have a real issue with your cooling system or with the temperature sensing. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/video-card-thermal-limit-only-65/987024.md?page=1)