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    1 Fan vs 3 Fans? Cooling M17x R3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by ksdakaflq, May 15, 2011.

  1. ksdakaflq

    ksdakaflq Notebook Enthusiast

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    Considering coolers for M17x R3. Anybody have thoughts on a single, large fan like in the Thermaltake CLN0008 Massive23 CS or Antec Unbeatable Notebook Cooler 200 compared to having 3 smaller fans that can be positioned where needed, like the Cooler Master NotePal U3?

    I have a Cooler Master U2 for a smaller non-gaming system and really like style and flexibility of fan placement, but wasn't sure if this is the best solution for a system that will probably be running hotter. Also, with the M17x bottom vents, should a cooler be pulling hot air away from the system, or blowing it upward toward the computer? Are the vents on the bottom for intake or exhaust?

    Heather
     
    ksdakaflq, May 15, 2011
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  2. zergslayer69

    zergslayer69 Liquid Hz

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    The cooler master is what I'd personally go for if I were to buy a cooler. Being able to put the fans where you need it is a big plus. One per vent, and the other I'd put in the middle since that area gets kind of hot.
     
    zergslayer69, May 15, 2011
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  3. N4TUR3

    N4TUR3 Notebook Guru

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    Yup the cooler master! thankx to the way it slants it provides better ergonomic for typing as well as all three parts of your lappy well get cooled 2 vents and middle(btw the middle gets quite hot when gaming) and i don't think the thermaltake cooler can hold the m17x r3 looks kinda flimsy...
     
    N4TUR3, May 15, 2011
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  4. ECKS

    ECKS Notebook Prophet

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    Damn, I was interested in the Thermaltake Massive23 also ($30 at Frys), cuz the bottom middle gets quite hot (no vent holes for ram I guess). The rest of the computer seems cool to the touch though.
     
    ECKS, May 15, 2011
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  5. Mechanized Menace

    Mechanized Menace Lost in the MYST

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    The fans bottom vents suck air in.
     
    Mechanized Menace, May 15, 2011
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  6. ksdakaflq

    ksdakaflq Notebook Enthusiast

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    OK, thanks. So I'm wanting a cooler that blows air upward toward the bottom of the 'puter. Probably no sense in getting a cooler that sucks air downward, away from system vents that are trying to pull air inward. I know the fans on my U2 blow upward, so I'm sure the U3 does also.

    Another nice thing about getting the U3 is that I can take 2 fans off one of my retired U2's and put them on the U3, so I could have up to 5 fans on the cooler I'll be using for games and heavy graphic stuff. That should keep this puppy ventilated!! :D

    Heather
     
    ksdakaflq, May 15, 2011
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  7. ksdakaflq

    ksdakaflq Notebook Enthusiast

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    I don't remember where, but I thought I read a msg from somebody who leaves a cover off the bottom to help ventilate the RAM.

    I wonder if that would be a problem since the system may be designed with certain ventilation paths, and opening something in a non-standard location could disrupt the necessary flow of air elsewhere? Anybody know?

    Heather
     
    ksdakaflq, May 15, 2011
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  8. BatBoy

    BatBoy Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    BatBoy, May 15, 2011
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