PC Overheats Playing RCT3?

I know this sounds really weird...but has anyone else had trouble with their PC's running really hot while playing RCT3? I've just started playing again (trying to get geared up for Soaked), and I'll notice that after 45 min to an hour of game play the bottom of the PC (a lower-end Gateway laptop) gets really hot to the touch, and eventually shuts down. Otherwise, I can leave the laptop up and running for days with absolutely no problems. It only seems to heat up when playing RCT3.

Does this make sense anyone? I suppose it could be the constant access of the CD-ROM drive, but other than that I have no clue why this would be happening. I don't recall it doing this last Fall when I first started playing. The only computer change in the interim was updating to service pack 2 for XP...

Any ideas?

Joel *** Edited 6/1/2005 1:02:43 AM UTC by JZarley***

"(a lower-end Gateway laptop)"

that's your problem right there!

I have really good cooling in my computer, and I've watched the CPU temperature decrease by about five degrees after playing the game. I can't imagine trying to play it on a laptop.

I wouldn't dare try it on a laptop, hell most PC users have just enough jist in their pc to run it fine, unless you hit Mystic Acres (thats a dragger). Mine has only overheated once with the park above, other than that I can play all I want with no problems. ( Low end laptop) that would definatly suggest a problem right there only because this wasn't built for the low-end of computers.

You know I love the distinction of creating a park that rips the game and PC's to shreds. :)

It's most likely the graphics card/chip (whatever your laptop uses) or the processor that is overheating. Because laptops are so damn proprietary and not very expandable or moduler, I am not sure there is anything you can do about it.

As for it not doing it before. Hmmm...that's a tough one. Perhaps the inside of the case is clogged with dust bunnies that weren't present before. Or maybe something is starting to fail on your system and this is the first hint of that. Could be a lot of things really.

Thanks for the input everyone...I assumed the "low end" laptop variable was probably a factor. I guess I had just never thought of it in terms of the processor overheating...just playing like crap. I guess it's amazing it runs at all. Of course, I guess I don't really understand how the cooling mechanism works on a laptop either...it's not like it has a big CPU fan <G>.

Long story short...it's time for a new PC :-) *** Edited 6/1/2005 1:07:48 PM UTC by JZarley***

My mom's Gateway laptop (a higher-end model) get really hot also, but just when surfing the web or making a slideshow, or something simple like a word document. I have no idea why, but it gets very, very hot, all the time.

I have a relatively nice HP Centrino laptop that runs the game very well. RCT3, No Limits, video files longer than a minute or so, and any other program that requires a lot of processing will drastically change the operating temperature. From my understanding, mobile processors only run at top speed when necessary. This requires more power and expectedly produces more heat.

As long as you are keeping the air vents free from obstructions you should be fine until the thing shuts off. Mine gets so hot I really don't want it near my lap when playing. My last one was the same way.

Laptop heat management depends entirely on the machine. I have an HP that has a desktop Celeron in it, and the fans literally come on as soon as you start doing something. It gets ridiculously hot. On the other hand, I had a Pentium M-based machine at a former job that ran cool with no fan (because that chip runs cooler and it does all kinds of throttling tricks to conserve power). It all depends on what you're doing.

Anxious to see how my new laptop, arriving today, performs for every day work.

My friend had the same problem. He has a very nice computer and a top of the line video card and you could only play the game for a couple of minutes because it would heat up so much. He just took of the case and put a fan by it to help it cool down. You know, if you don't have a powerful enough fan that could be a reason also.

PC cooling is an art (as is overclocking, but that also involves dumb luck). Good thermal goo, a good heatsink and fan, a case with good airflow and a little experimentation will keep everything in check and your hardware safe. The video card fans tend be noisy, but they do generally work OK.

Heat itself is not a reason to quit.

When I was in school...my teacher had a very nice Gateway (P4) brand new laptop, that thing outperformed anything I've ever used, great handeling, games work great, doesn't overheat, fan runs on and off, (fan also kicks up to high speed when necessary). Its the best I've ever used. I still have lots of work with better cooling for my computer. It nees much more cooling, I like my games smooth while my CPU is cool. ;)
I've heard alot of laptop users complain of cooling overheating problems. I've never had a problem. Could it be I have lots of luck? ;)

If the computer wasn't a notebook, I would suggest taking the cover off. That should provide ample cooling. I did this last night while playing RCT3 and never had a problem. I also switched from a CRT Monitor to a Digital LCD Flat Panel and used the DVI Cable instead of the Analog Cable, I received a brighter picture and the game seemed a little more stable. I still locked up on occassion but not after playing the game for an hour.

*** Edited 6/6/2005 7:43:06 PM UTC by coasterguts***

LOL!!! I don't need that much ventilation, just cheaper than buying a water cooled computer to play Roller Coaster Tycoon 3. ;)

well for some people you'd be suprised. LOL ;)

The low end pc thing is not the problem.

I have a higher end gaming laptop which handles rct1 and 2 no bother.

it also plays C&C Zero hour and crusader with no problems yet when RCT3 comes on it'll overheat within the hour....

Now i know a very easy but expensive way to fix this which means running pipes through the system and watercooling the thing. but thats expensive and if done wrong can be dangerous as well.

So if anyone knows of a cheaper way to fix this issue please feel free to send me a private message coz I have a big project in rct3 atm and its going rather slow with me only being able to play +-40mins at a time with 50mins intervals.

pics will be posted when its done :)

Way to resurect a 6 year old topic...but on a related note...has anyone ever noticed a correlation between RCT3 use and loss of internet connection?

Maybe buy/build a PC that's less than two years old? Seriously, any hardware out now should have no problems handling RCT3's requirements unless your PC is housed inside of a toaster oven.