The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    Modding fans on Notepal U3

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by Amroth, Oct 15, 2013.

  1. Amroth

    Amroth Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    159
    Messages:
    262
    Likes Received:
    185
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Hey guys,

    Was thinking of doing something like this for a while, since the stock USB fans are OK for placing directly under the existing vents on the M17x... but I was thinking about how it would work to have some high-powered fans blowing serious air directly onto the CPU and GPU heatsinks/ heatpipes (I've already drilled a bunch of holes in the plastic undercover, but thinking of drilling it more to make it more like the new 17 undercover)

    Obviously this sort of setup is best for static scenario, not dragging all the parts in your daily backpack or shoulder bag! Anyway so here are the parts:

    Power Supply

    Fan Speed Controller

    Molex Adapter

    7V - 12V Fans

    So these fans are 25mm instead of 10mm height found on the stock U3 fans. It should more than clear if placed high up on the U3, but probably wouldn't work very well if placed on your lap. Also I'm not sure if it's a good idea to place them directly below the m17x's actual fans, would it risk overpowering the little guys? Somebody with more expertise might be able to comment.

    When I get all the parts I'll update with pics etc. For now I'll show you what I did to the plastic cover. Although I suspect I'll need to drill at least twice the amount of holes to make this effective! I've outlined in red where I should probably drill to make such a cooling mod worth the trouble:
     

    Attached Files:

    Amroth, Oct 15, 2013
    #1
  2. tgotovac

    tgotovac Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    62
    Messages:
    149
    Likes Received:
    4
    Trophy Points:
    31
    I too have a U3 which I would like to mod with better fans.
     
    tgotovac, Oct 16, 2013
    #2
  3. Alienware-L_Porras

    Alienware-L_Porras Company Representative

    Reputations:
    3,658
    Messages:
    6,874
    Likes Received:
    969
    Trophy Points:
    281
    Cool mod! Will be looking forward for the updates.
     
    Alienware-L_Porras, Oct 16, 2013
    #3
  4. vs3074

    vs3074 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    349
    Messages:
    588
    Likes Received:
    159
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Don't get too powerful fans, otherwise they would suck hot air from back and just heat up the system more.

    Also holes in u3 are good for slow fans but when you add high speed fans, air flow loss is much higher.
     
    vs3074, Oct 16, 2013
    #4
  5. Amroth

    Amroth Notebook Consultant

    Reputations:
    159
    Messages:
    262
    Likes Received:
    185
    Trophy Points:
    56
    Hey ws, yes I'm worried about all the holes creating too much air turbulence and losing efficiency. So I'm likely going to take the drill to the U3 and bust some bigger holes, should be fun ;)
     
    Amroth, Oct 16, 2013
    #5
  6. pinoy_92

    pinoy_92 Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    20
    Messages:
    453
    Likes Received:
    52
    Trophy Points:
    41
    you can try using the same fans desktop users use with thick radiators. something like a Noctua NF-F12. only problem is the fans are 120mm
     
    pinoy_92, Oct 16, 2013
    #6