Laptop fell, CPU core is still throttling due to heat.
Laptop fell, CPU core is still throttling due to heat.
In short, my MSI Thin 10sc GF63 dropped about 50cm to the ground. It hit its open side, screen, and keyboard. I didn’t see any issues until the fans got louder. It turned out core 3 was always around 90°C, while the others were at 50-60°C. I tried tightening the cooler again because I didn’t have a full repaste kit, but it didn’t fix it. Could this be just poor seating that could be fixed with another repaste, or is there a more serious problem like a flexed motherboard or heatpipe cracks? Even with fans running at maximum speed, core 3 was still throttling.
I attempted to retighten the cooler because I didn't have a new patch on for a complete repaste, but it didn't resolve the issue.
Take apart the laptop completely and check the cooler for any damage or misalignment. If the heatpipe is damaged—such as a cracked wall or improper fit with the motherboard—you'll need to replace the cooling assembly.
Your drop could have damaged power delivery components on the motherboard. Using HWInfo, look for unusually high voltages. Regarding voltages, you might consider adjusting processor and GPU voltages via ThrottleStop.