Targus 17" Chillmat with Dell XPS 15

After repasting my Dell XPS 15 with Coollabs Liquid Ultra paste that ran too hot with stock paste for my tastes, I decided to put a laptop cooling pad on my xmas list for the parentals, just to see if I could get even lower temps. Since they aren't techies, they ended up getting me the most commonly stocked brand at the big box stores, a Targus, specifically the 17" Chillmat.

17" Chillmat specs:
Dimensions: 10.5” x 12.5” x 0.97”
Weight: 1.65 lbs

Powered by the computer's USB port. This product has no input for DC power, and has no fan control, so it will always run at a constant speed. It is audible while running, but not too bad, with my volume at like 30% with playing music the fans are no longer audible. It is easy to drown out, and is much, much quieter than the XPS 15's fans on at full blast.
I have no idea on the dimensions of the fans that are built into the model, sorry.
The fans in the Targus pull air up from under the cooling pad and push it into the XPS' vents.





First, a quick review of the laptop without the cooler. All testing done in a 72 F ambient room.

I ran a test with the XPS 15 flat on the desk, with the 435m OC'ed to 800/920/1600.



Ran FurMark 1.8 at 1280*1024 with Xtreme Burning Mode on, Displacement mapping on, and Post FX on.
I set the test to run for 20 minutes, but the last reported temps less than 10 minutes into the test were in mid 90s and then it crashed.
In short, the XPS 15 435m can't be OC'ed heavily in a 'room temp' room while laying flush against the desk, not enough fresh air moves under it.

Next, I ran the same tests with the 9-cell battery installed to elevate the XPS 15 up off the desk.



435m OC'ed to 800/920/1600.
Ran FurMark 1.8 at 1280*1024 with Xtreme Burning Mode on, Displacement mapping on, and Post FX on. 20 minute runtime.



Finally, ran the same tests with the XPS 15 lifted up off the desk on the Targus 17" Chillmat.



435m OC'ed to 800/920/1600.Ran FurMark 1.8 at 1280*1024 with Xtreme Burning Mode on, Displacement mapping off, and Post FX off. 20 minute runtime.



There isn't a huge difference in the temps between the 9-cell lifting the XPS off the desk and the Chillmat being in place.
I did notice that around 93-94 the XPS fan kicked into its highest speeds and dropped the temps, which you can see in the temp graph in both screenshots about midway through the tracing. The difference I noticed with the Chillmat was it was a couple degrees C cooler than just the 9-cell being in place after the fans kicked in highest speed.
However, I always game with the XPS 15 on the Chillmat. The two games I've been playing the most lately are Civilization V (thanks htwingnut!) and FO: New Vegas. With an OC'ed 435m my max GPU temps are never over 81 C. Max CPU temps around mid-70s while gaming. So I would say a combo of repasting and a cooling pad are worth it for this laptop if you want to OC.

With the 9-cell installed and being on the Chillmat, it puts the laptop at a huge angle. If you use just the laptop and no external accessories, it would be horribly uncomfortable at this angle and you would want to remove the 9-cell and only use the Chillmat.
I use mine with an external KB, mouse, and 23" LCD so its not a problem when set up like this, so I always leave the battery in.

 

Thanks for taking the time to provide the review/pics! Your lappy fit's nicely on the Chillmat. Look's like it's about $30@amazon if anyone is interested.

Cin...

 

Agreed. Although with that much lift, you'll definitely need to connect an external keyboard to keep it comfortable.

 

The fact that the fans didn't kick into the highest-gear until 93-94C is normal? See the thing is my DM4 exhibits the same issue. I just figured it was defective. I was under the impression the fans should kick at a much lower temperature.

Could you shed some more light on this?

 

It kicks into its highest speed at wherever the programmers want it to. The chips can withstand temps higher than this, so I'm sure it is normal.
Doesn't matter much as long as they chill the chips down.

 

Ah alright. I thought my system was messed up. That's reassuring.
For instance, I was running Furmark (xtreme) along with Prime95 (max heat) and the CPU hit 95C while the GPU hit 89C. At those temps the fan kicked in properly and it's still kicking at full-bore while the temps currently stand at 86C on the CPU and 81C on the GPU. This is....normal, right? Thanks man.

 

Hey i just got xps 15.Do you reccommend this cooling pad or anything else.I am not sure
Cheers

 

Wellll, it was a gift, lets put it that way. It was a nice gift from my non-techie parents.

If I were to purchase one on my own, I would probably swing to the Zalman NC2000.
Then again, its $60, and mine was free, can't be free.

 

Sorry man, I don't have an HP, no idea.

 

So NC2000 is what is required!
Thanks!