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    Incredible build-up of dust between fan and heat sink

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by ecbritz, Sep 11, 2013.

  1. ecbritz

    ecbritz Newbie

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    The overheating of my M14x has been explained and solved by dismantling the machine and discovering a thick pad of compacted dust between the fan and the heat sink of the CPU and GPU. What shocks me about this, is that the removal of the disabling and dangerous dust build-up was not provided for in the design of this hot-running gaming "mini-monster". It should be easy enough to add a small removable panel where the dust -- which turns into a thick pad of obstructive "filt" in time -- can be easily removed. I had to get a technician to do the tricky job of dismantling the whole machine.
     
    ecbritz, Sep 11, 2013
    #1
  2. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    At least you got it working now :) ... The maintenance should be done every couple of months to avoid big accumulations of dust.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Sep 11, 2013
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  3. DGvr4

    DGvr4 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is not that bad to dissemble the m14x. The first time is a little scary, I spend about 1 hour with the help of a youtube video. Now I had dissemble my m14x about 5 times, some times just for curiosity, and I can do it in less than 10 minutes and never broke anything.
     
    DGvr4, Sep 11, 2013
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  4. ecbritz

    ecbritz Newbie

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    My Lenovo Y-series (also powerful i7 CPU running big games) has a special panel which can be lifted by removing three screws. This allows for removing and cleaning the fan, and servicing the heat sink, in a few minutes. I think the designers of the M14x simply forgot to add such a feature.
     
    ecbritz, Sep 11, 2013
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  5. bobthedespot

    bobthedespot Notebook Consultant

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    I just use some 99% alcohol spray and some compressed air into the insides to get all the dust out. Doesn't cause problems.
     
    bobthedespot, Sep 11, 2013
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  6. ecbritz

    ecbritz Newbie

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    I went to take a look at the latest version of the Alienware 14 available in China today. Compared to my M14 x, this Alienware 14 has a completely redesigned back panel, allowing easy removal and maximum air intake. I could see the fan and its position in the assembly of parts clearly through the air intake grid. The cooling gear inside the computer is even lighted up. It would seem that I might be right in assuming a design fault in the Alienware M14 x.
     
    ecbritz, Sep 14, 2013
    #6
  7. iPhantomhives

    iPhantomhives Click the image to change your avatar.

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    I brought this...use it @ ur own risk, because its too powerful..lol



     
    Last edited by a moderator: May 12, 2015
    iPhantomhives, Sep 14, 2013
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  8. copper7op

    copper7op Notebook Consultant

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    Always a good idea to clean every 6months or so. The design on this laptop is actually quite bad, the M1530 XPS was very easy to take apart and clean, but the M14x is a real pain.

    Still, always worth it.
     
    copper7op, Sep 15, 2013
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