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    M17x R4 - can you buy quieter fans?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Retro_UK, Nov 27, 2013.

  1. Retro_UK

    Retro_UK Notebook Consultant

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    Not that they are particularly loud, but I have gone from using my machine with the TV on in the background to normally being in a quiet room and am noticing the CPU fan especially, kicking in and out.

    It isn't temp related - CPU temp is usually around 48-50 degrees, going to around 60-62 when gaming etc. So all normal there as far as I can tell. I'm just finding the fan noise distracting, especially as my second laptop is a netbook and is almost whisper quiet.

    It is no biggie, but if the fans can easily be swapped out I'd love to do it. Thanks.
     
    Retro_UK, Nov 27, 2013
    #1
  2. bigtonyman

    bigtonyman Desktop Powa!!!

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    Don't think this is really possible as they aren't common fans. they were designed for this particular model of machine. Its not like desktop CPU fans where there is hundreds of different models available. :(

    You could get a laptop cooler with some quiet fans on it though. that might help out and keep the laptop fans from turning on.
     
    bigtonyman, Nov 27, 2013
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  3. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Repaste and the cooling system will work alot better. My fans used to sound like a hair dryer on high, I repasted and they pretty much never even turn on anymore.
     
    ejohnson, Nov 27, 2013
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  4. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

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    You can lower the fan speed manually with HWinfo.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Nov 27, 2013
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  5. MogRules

    MogRules Notebook Deity

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    A laptop cooler will most def help quite a bit. The fans on my R4 hardly ever kick in because the cooler pushes enough air through the system to keep it cool and the fans off or so low that i can't hear them.

    I use the Cooler Master U3 but I have had a hell of a time with the fans on it, i am on my 3rd set so I wouldn't necessarily recommend that model.
     
    MogRules, Nov 27, 2013
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  6. Retro_UK

    Retro_UK Notebook Consultant

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    Rather oddly it sounds quieter again. I checked the temps and they are pretty much the same as they were the other night - perhaps 1 degree cooler - but definitely seemed quieter on the whole. No idea why, but had long session on Resident Evil 6 last night and as per usual, CPU was dead quiet and just the GPU noisier....as it usually is.

    Interested in a laptop cooler though, as currently I use my dinner tray when I'm sat in bed with it and it is a bit cumbersome :)

    I can't find any options in HWinfo for doing anything other than looking at CPU temps though? It doesn't even pick up the GPU at all, unlike screenshots I have seen for other people. So puzzled by that. I think I'd rather keep my laptop in control of its own fan speeds though just in case :)
     
    Retro_UK, Nov 27, 2013
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  7. Tsunade_Hime

    Tsunade_Hime such bacon. wow

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    Check if you have the latest BIOS, Dell/Alienware distributes alot of fan profiles/fixes with BIOS updates.
     
    Tsunade_Hime, Nov 27, 2013
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