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    What is your cooling method?

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by sanzoni, Jan 23, 2012.

  1. sanzoni

    sanzoni Notebook Enthusiast

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    So, what is everybody's cooling method for their R3. Mine is simply a small box of staples with elastics wrapped around it to keep it from sliding. I was very bored at work lol. So cooling pad? Or home made method?
     
    sanzoni, Jan 23, 2012
    #1
  2. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    The classic book and repaste job. When benching I use HWiNFO64 to ramp up the fans.
     
    widezu69, Jan 23, 2012
    #2
  3. JaiaV

    JaiaV Notebook Evangelist

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    I took the original heat pads off of the VRAM and did a general repaste job. Otherwise I just clean out the fans every few months, nothing else special.
     
    JaiaV, Jan 23, 2012
    #3
  4. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    A full repaste of CPU and GPU with PK-1

    and then the most amazing cooling mod of them all (bottle caps):

    [​IMG]
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 23, 2012
    #4
  5. DR650SE

    DR650SE The Whiskey Barracuda

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    My cooling method is a repaste, and M17x R2 fans :D
     
    DR650SE, Jan 23, 2012
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  6. insertcreativity

    insertcreativity Notebook Guru

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    book mod, modified with post-it notes.

    havent repasted yet
     
    insertcreativity, Jan 23, 2012
    #6
  7. maxheap

    maxheap caparison horus :)

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    book mod +1
     
    maxheap, Jan 23, 2012
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  8. sanzoni

    sanzoni Notebook Enthusiast

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    Widezu don't you use IC Diamond? If you do 7 or 24 karat and how do you apply it without scratching the surface where you apply it? I need to repaste but am debating on getting IC or something more simple like MX4.
     
    sanzoni, Jan 23, 2012
    #8
  9. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

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    PK-1 is the best. A few degrees lower than ICD7, and your core doesn't get scratched. Slick's reccommendation for it - priceless.

    I've re-pasted numerous times with it, very easy to work with.
     
    GeoCake, Jan 24, 2012
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  10. KenFitz

    KenFitz Notebook Guru

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    I have 2 cooling solutions:
    A) 2 Rubber door stops, one at each corner.
    Cost: about a quid. ($1.00)

    B) Coolmaster (the three fan, repositional one)
    Cost: 25 quid ($35.00)

    I use B at home and A when away working.

    Which works best, well they both cool great. A means the LT fans spin up more, B means that the LT fans have less work to do, both mean that my LT does not hit thermal GPU limit :)

    Not repasted yet. Too scared to rip the guts out of a 1 month old machine.
    and BTW, not repasted (yet), cos I'm a scaredy cat when it comes to my machines plumbing.
    If I had found A before buying B would I have bought B, TBH probably not, because A is a damn site easier to use and does not take a USB port up.
     
    KenFitz, Jan 24, 2012
    #10
  11. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    Im supprised no one uses self adhesive rubber feet on their alienware.
     
    ratchetnclank, Jan 24, 2012
    #11
  12. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Mine is IC24 and Zalman NC-3000. The pasting is quite good currently so I'm in no rush to switch just yet :p
     
    long2905, Jan 24, 2012
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  13. KenFitz

    KenFitz Notebook Guru

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    Dont think I could, they would get knocked off when you put the LT into the backpack, and the cloth sleeve they provide would not fit anymore.

    Now if they where sensible, they could have designed the same sort of feet that most keyboards use to raise the back, you know, those little flip out ones. Some strong ones of those would be the way to go, hint hint Alienware ;)
     
    KenFitz, Jan 24, 2012
    #13
  14. long2905

    long2905 Notebook Virtuoso

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    Hmm maybe some sort of thin metal frame?
     
    long2905, Jan 24, 2012
    #14
  15. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    Avoid ic diamond on lidless CPU's and GPU's (and your laptop is lidless), there is no way to put that on without scratching the die. Actually putting it on may not be that bad, however, when you take that stuff off, imagine finger nails on the blackboard :eek: ...actually worse, imagine a freddy cruger claw on the black board :eek: :D

    So MX-4 will be your better choice

    Here:
    look at moderate contact for what you might expect on a laptop

    2011 Thermal Compound Roundup – Results Compilation | Skinnee Labs

    happy repasting :)
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 24, 2012
    #15
  16. vic_doom69

    vic_doom69 Notebook Consultant

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    coolermaster u3
     
    vic_doom69, Jan 24, 2012
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  17. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    MX-4 and PK-1. Just replaced the book in the back with Slick's bottle caps. Works great. Add HWiNFO64 fan control for benching or other heavy use.
     
    The Revelator, Jan 24, 2012
    #17
  18. Chaos92

    Chaos92 Notebook Consultant

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    Can anyone give an idea on which size thermal pads to use at which place in the gpu please.

    I plan on changing all pads. My temps hit 77C regularly even after ICD repaste. Room temp 40C here.

    Would be much appreciated.
     
    Chaos92, Jan 24, 2012
    #18
  19. Cthugha

    Cthugha Notebook Enthusiast

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    Cthugha, Jan 25, 2012
    #19
  20. wingman_214

    wingman_214 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm using pk-1 on the dies and the cooler master u3.
     
    wingman_214, Jan 26, 2012
    #20
  21. msz006c1

    msz006c1 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Lol. Indeed most amazing man.

    I got the Everki Chill Mat which is issentially two extra large rubber support. Got it in the Everki backpack bundle. Oh, they also include a "screen cloth + keyboard guard" as they put...
     
    msz006c1, Jan 26, 2012
    #21
  22. dkerr24

    dkerr24 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I use a Targus laptop stand. It raises the back of the laptop maybe 3/4", allowing more air to circulate around the bottom. I has no fans, simply raises the back of the laptop. Makes the angle of the keyboard a little better for typing as well. I bought it years ago from Newegg.

    A bit more 'high tech' than plastic bottlecaps, and a lot more stable when typing on it. :)

    Fits any laptop from a 11" Alienware m11x to a 15.6" Asus G50vt-x1.

    Darin
     
    dkerr24, Jan 26, 2012
    #22
  23. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    The Revelator, Jan 26, 2012
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  24. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    ya for sure lol...but don't knock it till you try it. Vitamin Water Bottle Caps...but make sure you get the bottle caps from the cherry flavored bottle because it knocks off another 2c

    I think those two laptop feet are gorgeous. I actually put them in my cart and was ready to buy, until i saw they came out to $45 :eek: I think i'll stick to my bottle caps for now lol
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 26, 2012
    #24
  25. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Just (?) $18.72 for me. You only need 1 order (2 feet). :)
     
    The Revelator, Jan 26, 2012
    #25
  26. bigspin

    bigspin My Kind Of Place

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    Lol....

    For me.... repaste and eraser mod..just like ur bottle cap mod.
     
    bigspin, Jan 26, 2012
    #26
  27. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    oh, yes, the price on amazon is much lower, i was referring to the price from that other website: THey wanted $19 + 25 shipping...I know the bottlecaps don't match my wife's decor, but even at $18.72, not worth it lol.

    Eraser mod? Like in pencil eraser? hahahahahahaha...us alienware people are a resourceful bunch :D
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 26, 2012
    #27
  28. bigspin

    bigspin My Kind Of Place

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    I use half inch thick erasers... :D £0.49p solution..lol
     
    bigspin, Jan 26, 2012
    #28
  29. Cthugha

    Cthugha Notebook Enthusiast

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    $45 ?? I found them here in a swedish store for 125 SEK (set of two feet) which is ~$18, with free delivery to their local pick-up point. Couldn't resist to order and hopefully they'll be here tomorrow. Will post my thoughts when I've tried them on :)
     
    Cthugha, Jan 26, 2012
    #29
  30. bigspin

    bigspin My Kind Of Place

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    bigspin, Jan 26, 2012
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  31. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Seriously guys belkin coolstrip. Look it up :D
     
    widezu69, Jan 26, 2012
    #31
  32. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    This was from the link that you initially posted...$45
     

    Attached Files:

    SlickDude80, Jan 26, 2012
    #32
  33. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

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    self adhesive rubber feet, PK-1, and coolermaster ergostand

    compal gpu temp (through hwinfo 64) never goes above 65 deg C.
     
    nayilalien, Jan 26, 2012
    #33
  34. Stealth55

    Stealth55 Notebook Consultant

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    Stealth55, Jan 26, 2012
    #34
  35. aznpos531

    aznpos531 Notebook Evangelist

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    aznpos531, Jan 26, 2012
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  36. Cthugha

    Cthugha Notebook Enthusiast

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    I found some pictures of it but not available on their website, and can't find it on my local stores. Do you know if they still sell it?
    Belkin : Laptop + Netbook : Cooling & Comfort


    Ouch... Expensive shipping :p
    Maybe search your local stores?
     
    Cthugha, Jan 27, 2012
    #36
  37. ratchetnclank

    ratchetnclank Notebook Deity

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    ratchetnclank, Jan 27, 2012
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  38. Chinois

    Chinois Notebook Enthusiast

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    Wait so let me get this tsraight...
    I was about to buy an Alienware M17x R3... but you guys are saying you need an extra cooling method for your laptops??

    Is it because you're overclocking or does it get too warm?

    Because if it's 100% needed to have an aftermarket cooling method I do not think I'll be getting an AW...
     
    Chinois, Jan 27, 2012
    #38
  39. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

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    If you are buying it with a 580M, then yes.

    If you are buying it with a 6990M, no.

    If you are hardcore benching, yes.

    I only propp my laptop up when I do some runs on 4.4Ghz with max GPU overclocks (a laptop cooler would help me but I just cba buying one just for benching). Normal gaming I don't do anything extra. A re-paste is highly recommended also.
     
    GeoCake, Jan 27, 2012
    #39
  40. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    you don't need to Chinois, but raising the back of the laptop will drop your temps 7-8c which really helps for those guys who are overclocking

    and as GeoCake alluded to, that 7-8c might be the difference between a 580m throttling or not
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 27, 2012
    #40
  41. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    Alienware might not be your best choice. If placing a book or bottle caps or cooling pad under your R3 to improve cooling freaks you out, wait until you learn that replacing the thermal compound for your GPU and/or CPU is often necessary for best results.
     
    The Revelator, Jan 27, 2012
    #41
  42. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    LOL....Rev, don't scare the poor boy
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 27, 2012
    #42
  43. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

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    hahahahahahahahaha @ REV
     
    nayilalien, Jan 27, 2012
    #43
  44. The Revelator

    The Revelator Notebook Prophet

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    My Lazy Couch feet arrived today from Amazon. They're great, almost exactly the same height as the old bottle caps, maybe a tad higher, but with much improved stability. Delighted with the purchase, even though the price is outrageous, one of the pleasures of original design I guess.
     
    The Revelator, Jan 27, 2012
    #44
  45. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    you know this post is useless without pics, right? :p
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 27, 2012
    #45
  46. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

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    like srsly! :tongue:
     
    nayilalien, Jan 27, 2012
    #46
  47. GeoCake

    GeoCake http://ted.ph

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    Just found a previous post of his;

    The M17x R3 has the BEST cooling system out of them all tbh.

    But we want it even cooler. :cool:
     
    GeoCake, Jan 27, 2012
    #47
  48. SlickDude80

    SlickDude80 Notebook Prophet

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    This is the truth!

    When i read that guys with 6990's on Sagers are getting 85+c after a repaste while gaming, i think, man, I get low 70's when gaming. Those machines run HOTTTTTT
     
    SlickDude80, Jan 27, 2012
    #48
  49. widezu69

    widezu69 Goodbye Alienware

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    Exactly, just because we use different aftermarket cooling techniques, it does not mean that we have the worst cooling. We just strive for making something better even if we have the best :D

    Anyways:
    DEEPCOOL - Notebook Cooler - E-GOLF
     
    widezu69, Jan 27, 2012
    #49
  50. nayilalien

    nayilalien Notebook Evangelist

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    it's gotta be the thickness of our laptops that helps with the cooling.
     
    nayilalien, Jan 27, 2012
    #50
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