3Ds Max 90% GPU Usage with a blank project on ThinkPad e560

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I newly installed 3Ds Max a couple of days ago and when tried to use it found out that the blank viewport performance is lagging when my GPU reaches 100 degree Celsius and the GPU use is 90% all the time whether I have any model or not. It is heating up my system quite a lot and making me worry as its my last six weeks of a 7 year architecture course and I don't want to end up with a dead computer in this time. My system specifications are as follows:

CPU: intel i5 6200u,

GPU: AMD R7 M370,

GPU 2: Intel HD 520,

RAM: 16 GB DDR3 1600 MHz (Bought from Lenovo, both have the same product number and latency)

HDD: WD SSD 250 GB

Display: 1920*1080 pixels

BIOS: 1.31 (The latest as per Lenovo)

OS: Windows 10 latest build with updates (just installed 15 days ago)

Other programs: AutoCAD 2018, Revit 2018, Photoshop CC, MS Office.

The computer is around 18 months old and has been previously used with 3Ds Max 2017 in May 2017 and never showed such high usage and temps. I contacted Lenovo about this issue and they specifically blamed the Autodesk programs for over usage and the subsequent overheating of the system. I just got a heatsink and fan replaced by Lenovo but I am concerned about the high temperature of the system due to 3Ds Max's unnecessary GPU Usage. I have been using 3Ds Max for the past 6 years without such problems. All video drivers are up to date. What could be the issue here? Can someone help me please?

Thank you

Swapnil

[darawork]

Hi,

Is it absolutely necessary to use 3DSMax 2018?

Personally I would never like to see a GPU getting up to 93degrees centigrade, for whatever the reason. That is practically cooking your expensive hardware.

Can you go back to using 2017?

[Anonymous]

I am so sorry I forgot to mention, I am currently using 3Ds Max 2017 with Vray 3.4.

Also Lenovo replaced my Heatsink and fan assembly today at my home and I pointed out that the heating issue still persisted after they did the service and then then they blamed the software.

[darawork]

So 2017 was working before, back in May, but now it is cooking your computer?

That's very strange.

You have checked the fans, and heatsinks (no dust blocking vents)... so I have no idea what could be causing the problem.

What has changed since it was working last May?

[Anonymous]

Hello,

Three weeks ago, I upgraded the RAM on my computer to 16 GB (8GB*2, I previously had just 1*8GB module) and switched to the WD SSD from my 5400 rpm HDD. I did a clean install of the OS and updated it as well as reinstalled 3Ds Max 3 days ago. The new RAM was bought from Lenovo and matches exactly with the old one in everything. I don't think the SSD could be involved in this. BTW thank you so much for helping me. 🙂

[darawork]

Well, you seem to have made some sensible choices in regards to those upgrades. If anything the Laptop should be running cooler and faster with the SSD inside. 

If you run any other intense software, like a high-end game, does the same thing happen?

I have heard about the dangers of getting finger grease / oil on the CPU by mistake, and that causing overheating issues. But that is all I can think of. Maybe something got damaged during the upgrades...? But if games run OK on the laptop, then I have no idea.

[Anonymous]

Hello again,

About games, this laptop cannot play games, ever since I bought it this has been my complaint to Lenovo. after about 15 minutes into a game, the system overheats and shuts down completely. never misses to do that, with any game whatsoever. I have tried a lot but games are just not for it it seems. I had even raised a complaint for overheating during games in the first month of getting this computer but due to their service being depot only and the repair time being 15-21 days I had to cancel it then.

The laptop is 18 months old and except for games there was no overheating issue at all, no matter what happens the laptop used to run cool. Even now if I put it on my lap and run 3ds max, the temps go upto 90 but I don't feel much heat at all. The internal fan really works well. The computer never shuts down with 3Ds Max use, no matter how high the temps go, it only does that with games.

As for the upgrade, I never touched the heatsink/thermal paste as it is too difficult to access and I did not need to access that part during the upgrade. The Lenovo technician replaced the heatsink with a new one having its own thermal paste and also cleaned it with an alcohol swab in my house while I was present there so I don't think that might be the case.

What really worries me is that why does 3Ds Max suddenly need 90% of GPU to just display the viewport? I haven't changed any settings after installing it since last 3 days. It is freshly installed.

Thank you so much for all your help

Swapnil