M17x R4 heat reduction mod

*Still under construction will update as progression allows

This DIY Mod is designed to create a better air flow and help allow the system to be pushed to its limits within safe operating temperatures (results may vary). The Mod is also designed to fit Alienwares Look and feel while upholding the high quality and professional look which we all expect and demand from our systems (Construct at your own risk).


Steps #1-3, (#1)Tape off area of interest with painters tape and (#2)tape down to a stable cuttable surface, (#3)Carefully cut with an inward 25 degree angle.



UPDATE: Heatsinks came in i had to file them down to about 5mm, unfortunately with a Vantage run and having nine of them directly applied in single file over the CPU, the temp actually rose by 3C Minimum, not good. So it looks like the Heat is building up on the Ramsinks and not able to dissipate quick enough down the pipes/off the Ramsinks to keep the CPU cooler; too much surface area in one place with all the ramsinks added, pipes are bottle necked basically BOO. Back to the drawing board.

 

Awesome, cant wait to see the finished article.

 

Once completed ill do Temp benchmark before and after pics (all with OCing)

 

Tell us about it mikecacho! Can't wait for the results!

 

Progress has been updated, as i have made the cuts (view pictures above).

 

Great mod, removes the ability to set this on your lap anymore without some sort of buffer as it will burn you.

 

LVNeptune, i always keep it on a cooling pad, on or off lap. Once mesh (currently on order) is applied it will create a barrier so you will not come in contact with Pipes.

 

This is shaping up to be something awesome!

 

Added to my favorites, Interested to see the finished results and the improvement on cooling ability. It's a great idea, may have to try it myself.

 

Very cool!! Can't wait to see the finished product!! +rep

 

Thanks all, as stated earlier i will be creating an extra 2-3MM (total of 4-5 at the deepest points) of room inside the cut-out areas by protruding the mesh outwards not to exceed the length of the feet on the panel door. the greater length i get out of the Ramsinks the better and the mesh covers will have the filters attached, but easily removeable for cleaning

 

Updated: I'll add photos once i get them loaded up. (Heatsinks only added to CPU) view OP.

Picture added!

 

I did something similar to mine a few months ago and temps have been great.

 

Mesh and border added

 

Wow! Those grilles are really sick looking. Pretty cool, Brother Mike. What did you use for the border? Are those a rubber material with a channel that fits over the cut edges of the openings in the panel, or a bezel attached to the surface around the opening?

 

One suggestion for the ram sinks heat dissipation: get a Notepal U3 laptop cooler. You can position the fans so they blow air directly onto the new ram sinks. That might cool them down a bit better.

 

^ I second this, good idea ^

 

CptXabaras and Radji NZXT :: Unique. Unprecendented. Inspired - Cryo LX Product Detail this link is to the cooling pad i use, i am thinking of trying to bring the sinks directly off the CPU and down the pipes more, currently they are not on at all right now, also where you see the grilles i have them flaring outwards to come flush with the bottom of the case it also gives me about 2mm more room inside (this cooling pad is a monster). The sinks do not have enough surface area to really disipate the heat at an efficient rate while under heavy load, normal use it would be fine... but i did not buy this machine for normal use Bringing the sinks off the CPU and down the pipes will hopefully help channel the heat towards the gills of the heatsink, trial and error, ill continue tinkering with it until i get results (i am aiming for -3c drop in max load temp).

Mr. Fox the border is a rubber slip linner with a channel between it. (The Rubber is actually designed for custom metal tower cut outs, but i figured it could work for my R4 as well )

 

Wow, that sure is a fancy laptop cooler. The reason I recommend the U3 is the same as is was recommended to me: 3 fans that clip onto the bottom of the cooler so you can adjust the position of to almost anywhere. One thing I did was keep the fan holder, and replace the fans themselves as they were 80mm x 80mm USB powered. I got a pair of high CFM 80mm case fans and equipped them to the holders so now I get some real good airflow thru the bottom.

Moving the ramsinks closer to the CPU might not help. You may want to spread them out more over the pipes. You photos showed they were kind of bunched together. From what I remember from my fabrication courses, heat likes to congregate together, like water. 3 drops of water placed together take much longer to dry than three separate drops placed an inch apart. Try spreading the ramsinks apart if possible. That might eliminate the heat plume that was spiking your temps.

Mr Fox, one thing you can try for lining the grills is car weather stripping. It would need to be small gauge weather stripping, but I've used that to line small holes in electrical boxes.

 

Radji, in my post I said I was going to try and run the sinks off the pipes and down towards the grill. I also tried to gap it out over the CPU but still no gains, hmmm I'll have to expand the pipes with additional pipes if all else, that will be fun... Possible solder. I'll post a link when I get home to give ya'll a insight to my final resolution

And the 3 fans are 120mm with adjustable speed

 

Nice looking mod you got going. I might need to try this out. I'm interested to see the temps you're getting with it...

 

Here's the link to an extreme idea, if all else i might try someting similar. Ideas are always welcomed.
TheRandomLab: Laptop cooling mod

 

This looks very exciting. Hope it goes well, good luck

 

Since i am still in the hunt for a truly decent MOD for my CPU (decent being -3 degrees Celsius) i decided to upgrade my Thermal Paste from Arctic MX-4 to IC Diamond view attachment in OP. I recieved a -3 Celsius reduction just from the IC Diamond alone, great stuff i must say and Arctic MX-4 is really quality paste, but nothing compared to IC Diamond i must say.

**CPU IS OVERCLOCKED 40,39,38,38, view SIG***

 

Bump.

So it looks like the best method is to cut out the cover like you did, but leave them without ramsinks huh?