Laptop gets uncomfortably hot when not run in low power mode

[BodarkMan]

I have an acer nitro an515-53 laptop, with some slight modifications. The main issue I'm having is that the i5 8300H will get in the high 90s during load. After applying new zinc oxide thermal paste, the max temps dropped about 5 degrees C. Even idling, the cpu will go above 70 and eventually be in the 80s if doing light application work. These results happen when the laptop is receiving plenty of airflow with max fan speed on. I'm wondering if anyone has any ideas, other than keeping it always on low power mode like I currently do, to make the cpu cooler during idle and load while not on low power. 

[Radium_Angel]

Lift the laptop up and allow more air to enter from the underside, and/or get one of those laptop cooling fan "platforms" that blow cooler air upward towards the underside of the laptop

[Guest]

Zinc Oxide pastes are usually only up to 4 w/mk.  Find a paste that is at least 8 w/mk.

 

If it is a paste like AS5, it requires a 200 hour burn in time before the temps settle lower. 

 

But inherently, laptops generally run pretty hot. The heat sink is designed around the TDP value and generally not designed to move any more than that BTU number. 

[bellabichon]

You can try undervolting your CPU using a program like ThrottleStop. Your mileage may vary, though.