Laptop Temperature

[Axiom]

I noticed that my laptop temperature while running the Sims 3, goes up to 180ish degrees.

I've done the following to reduce laptop temperature:
Cooling pad
Cleared space around the vents
Occasionally using the air-duster thing
Uninstalling some EPs I don't use as much anymore, as well as some programs I don't use anymore.

The cooling pad is a few years old and consists of one small fan on a raised base. I'm thinking about buying a different one, one that has a huge fan. The laptop itself is about 1.5 years old.

Another thing I'm considering is updating the BiOS, but that can lead to a whole host of problems, as can taking apart my laptop and cleaning the inside.

Any suggestions?
Edit: Shifted the laptop a bit and it did make a 10 degree lower difference. But I'm still open to suggestions.

[LivvieLove]

I would recommend getting a can of compressed air to help get the dust out of it the vents and always make sure you keep your laptop on a surface when you play (and not a pillow, blanket, your lap etc). I've heard my friend had success by aiming a regular ol' fan at it while playing for long periods of time but I'm skeptical of that.
You seem to have some good ideas as far as laptops go, but sometimes you just have to pace yourself. If you notice your laptop getting hot, it may be a good time to take a break for a bit and come back.

I've never really owned a cooling pad (with my laptops at least) so I can't tell you what's standard for that business.

[Axiom]

I have been doing that, but sometimes it occurs after about 20ish minutes of play.

[LivvieLove]

I have been doing that, but sometimes it occurs after about 20ish minutes of play.

Er, yeah that does seem a little soon. How warm do you normally keep the room you play in? Sometimes that may be a factor.

[Angélique]

Have you checked your in game frame rate? If it gets over 60 fps you could try turning Vertical sync and Triple buffer on, if you haven't already. That makes your graphics card work less intense, and reduces the risk of it getting overheated. Hopefully that will in turn decrease the overall temperature inside your computer.

[Axiom]

I'll try the frame rate tip, thanks!
The room is usually around 70ish, but this week its been getting into the low 80s. That's when the AC kicks in.

Edit: Set game on default settings. Getting about 40-80 FPS. I checked the graphics settings... Everything with the exception of Full screen mode [I like to multitask, this might be part of the problem] is checked.

Oh here are the specs:
Summary
Operating System
Windows 8.1 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 2450M @ 2.50GHz: 139 °F
Sandy Bridge 32nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel DDR3 @ 798MHz (11-11-11-28)
Motherboard
Hewlett-Packard 181B (U3E1): 142 °F
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor (1366x768@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics 3000 (HP)
1023MB NVIDIA GeForce GT 630M (HP): 132 °F
Storage
698GB Seagate ST750LM022 HN-M750MBB (SATA): 110 °F
Optical Drives
hp CDDVDW SN-208BB
Audio
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
-As generated by the program Speccy, which I do highly recommend.

I also ordered this: http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Massive23-Notebook-Oversized-CLN0015/dp/B003ZUXXWO/ref=lp_2243862011_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1397090181&sr=1-1 As it has become apparent that my current cooling pad isn't cutting it anymore.