Hello,

I am currently running a ThinkPad T420s with a quad core Intel i5 2520m @ 3.2GHz and 12GB of RAM, running up-to-date Void Linux on an mSATA drive. This is the model without the dedicated GPU, so it's just the standard Intel Graphics.

If I remember correctly, I repasted the CPU about three years ago. I probably used MX-5, as that is a paste I have always had luck with. I am nothing but pleased with this laptop, but my needs/wants now include playing Morrowind via OpenMW since my desktop is no longer set up/functional. When I play Morrowind at medium-ish settings, my temps hang around 75ish degrees C, and if I have it on high, it goes up to 80ish, so I have been playing on a mix of medium and high settings.

My biggest question is, is it safe to run the laptop at this temperature for a few hours at a time? Should I maybe consider repasting the CPU again? Any compound recommendations? Any tricks to maybe make the fan run a little faster or cooler or something? I've just echo'd the auto speed selection to the appropriate file and am letting the laptop do what it thinks is best, but maybe it is being too conservative about letting the fan ramp up?

Thank you for any ideas! I love this laptop and I can see myself using it for a long time to come!!

Edit: MX-4, not MX-5 lmao. This laptop doesn't have a Miata in it haha.