best notebook cooler for m17x

Like the thread states I am looking for the best notebook cooler for the m17x. I would prefer something not overly huge. The cooler master u2 seems to be the popular choice here. Basically since I've never experienced a laptop like this that gets hot all the time no matter what I am doing it makes me nervous so I would like to keep it as cold as possible however I can. I may even later down the road change out the fans to better ones.

Ideally I'd want one that can be used on a desk and lap, and can also fit in the alienware m17x laptop bag. Also why does the right side of the laptop get hotter than the left? Is the GPU on the right side?

 

GPU is on the right side and normally outputs more heat during gaming on any gaming laptop. As to coolers, they are kinda a gimik as they will only lower your temps a little bit. My cooler is just two Dr. Pepper bottle-caps and they do the job perfectly to increase airflow for the fans. If your dead set on a cooler though, you can't go wrong with the coolermaster U3.

 

Agreed, I own the coolermaster U3 and I love it. You can place the 3 fans wherever you want, speed control, (not that it matters, I have them on high all the time) It is a littler bigger for those you plane to actually carry it around. Mine just sits on a desk so it works great for that.

 

Well if it isn't needed I don't have to get it. I would only want one that could actually lower temps but at least 2-5C and not have loud fans, and that means I don't want to hear them really. I just don't get that when I have this thing on my lap or I lay down with it on my stomach even if I don't have the fans blocked (maybe the middle one is blocked a little) this thing gets really hot to about 55-57C sometimes it pushes to 59C. When it is on the desk it runs around 52C. So this is the GPU getting this hot? Because I feel it mostly all on the right side of the laptop and the middle by the nameplate and the left side will be completely cool.

 

The Cooler Master U3 cooling pad works perfect for the 17X. There are three vents on the bottom of the laptop and since the U3 has three fans which you can place where ever, it cools it off great. Just put each fan underneath each vent and there ya go, no more laptop getting hot. It's the perfect size for 17 inch laptops.

 

Can I use the u3 on my lap with the laptop on top of it?

 

Yes, but it also will reduce the amount of airflow that can be pushed through the machine if sitting on your lap.

 

Why not? It's not optimal but at least you won't be blocking the vents.

 

I mean you could use it on your lap, but it will work best if it is on a desk or a surface like that. I have mine on my computer desk. The notepal elevates the laptop for airflow and its actually much more convenient for gaming or typing IMO than having your laptop sit completely flat. Check this link out. The language is in spanish so you can just mute it if you want, but you get an idea of how it looks and works. NotePal U3 - Alienware M17X R4 - YouTube

 

How about this targus one? Targus Model AWE57US Notebook accessory - Newegg.com

Also will both of these fit in the alienware m17x bag? Not the backpack or that camo thing.

 

A common misconception among many, many people. I've done extensive testing ( seen here) on a few cooling pads and found they can drop temperatures as much as 22C during normal use and up to 10C while gaming, which is quite significant. Sure, there are cooling pads that do not work as well as others and some may not work at all, but I've seen several people purchase one of these "cheap cooling pads" and they later conclude all cooling pads are worthless.

With that being said, I believe the U3 is the best for your money. However, the HD3 is also a great pad.

 

I have a Orion backpack and the U3 and it does not fit at all, the U3 is pretty huge. I have had some trouble with my U3 but could just be my bad luck, just be careful with the wiring that goes into the USB end of the fan controller, mine has failed already due to broken wires inside from constant movement I guess.

 

Another +1 for the U3!

Tried a couple different laptop cooling stations, and found this is the best one.

Can manage a decent overclock on the cards while maintaining a temp at 70c

 

I vote for the U3, only feels so fragile and if smashing buttons my laptop moves...

 

hmmm so are there any opinions on the HD3 too?

 

I did a ton of research when shopping for a cooling pad for my M17x R4 last June. I finally settled on the Cooler Master U3. I guess the bottom line is performance just depends on what you're doing/playing. Temps stay within reasonable ranges and I have no issues until I fire up Guildwars2 and then all bets are off.

I have positioned the three fans as optimally as possible, but in order to keep from overheating and crashing, I still have to prop up the front end of the laptop (while it is sitting on the CM U3) with a 4" long Duplo Lego with a rubber band wrapped around it lengthwise (to keep it from sliding). I don't believe a cooling pad exists that is foolproof. No matter what you get, it's likely you'll have to improvise to boost airflow.

 

I'm using CM Storm SF-19 Strike Force from cooler master currently and it's powerful. U know what I means. =D

 

depends on the laptop really. with the r3/r4 I don't think you are going to see such a change compared to just raising the back end. A drop in idle temps is understandable though.

 

while the u3 sounds good it seems it may be too big to take places. So no one has any experience with the targus coolers?

 

I am thinking about the zalman coolerpads lately, they seem very sturdy and quality wise I think they are better then let's say the U3, I wanna get a other coolerpad, I think cooling performance is doesnt really matter, Extra airflow = extra airlow on a hard almost closed bottem, and the places people do there coolers is where there already are coolers (aka moveable fans)......
Doesnt make that much sense and after months of having the U3 i am going to say good bye, it's to fragile.

Somebody else know some sturdy nice quality coolerpads that are more then solid?
That's gonna be my next search

Sjoerd

 

How can you say that the U3 is fragile? It's one whole piece made of metal.

 

It bends very easy and maybe it looks solid and it maybe feels that way.

When i put my m17x on it its get wobbly when i push keys, it's bends rather easy.
I just want some thicker cooler and one that's more strong, doesnt bent.
Don't know how to exactly explain this in english, hopefully you catch my drift.


sjoerd

 

I own the Coolermaster U3, and I have not experienced anything like that. are you jumping on the thing like a trampoline? I'm using it right now as I'm typing and it is very stable, sturdy and I believe, well built.

Did you by chance find some sort of knock off U3?

 

I bought the U3 in the Newegg deal where it was $17.99 after rebate. Perfect for my M17x where I put it under the three major hot spots. I was thinking of ordering the OEM fans from Cooler Master for 3 more coolers, but I don't find it necessary. I never reach temps over 75 C under max load.

 

Ok so lets talk targus now lol no more u3 talk. I'm trying to decide between the u3 and targus hd3 but so far no input on the targus. I'm leaning towards the targus because it seems more of a cooler that can double as a desk and lap cooler rather than the u3 that seems to be soley desk.

EDIT: On amazon it appears the targus is actually very loud so that might be a deal breaker. Many people say on the highest or even medium setting it will sound as loud as the laptop fans. Does anyone with a u3 have the alien orion m17x messanger bag? Or do any of you have a bag that will fit the m17x and the u3 that is NOT a backpack? I need a messenger bag that will fit the m17x, u3 (if I were to get it), razer orochi mouse, and the charger for the m17x.

 

anyone????????

 

Ive heard on more forums people have this problem so it's not only me, it's weird that nobody it's noticing here.....
M17x is just to heavy in some way, i want a reinforced U3

 

No idea why the U3 is popular... get a Thermaltake Massive23 you'll never look back. It's 1 giant fan so it's very quiet, it has handles to lift it up with your laptop on it, it's protected and smooth on the bottom so you can set it on your lap, it's USB powered, it even has a blue LED light you can turn on if you feel like it.

 

You should definately check out Zalman coolers, they are great, my 5 year old NC 2000 is still working perfectly, the newer models are even better using one really big fan . ^^

 

Ok so does anyone have experience with the new nc 2000 coolers and also any other zaimon ones?

 

They have 2 different kinds of the ultra quiet. They have small dual fans on the nc2000 and one giant fan on the nc1000. Which is better? Also is your old nc2000 quiet? And can it be used on your lap?

 

NC1000 is an older model to the NC2000, I would say mine is definately audible at full speed, around 21db, the air pushed through it really cools down the whole aluminium top part though. It works more like a giant heatsink, using the fans to cool down the metal, which in turn cools the laptop. As for using it on lap I suppose you could, but it would be fairly heavy, I personally do not use it on my lap, You should check out the later models NC3000 and NC3500 I personally havent tried them, but being newer models they should theoretically be just as good, probably better .

Only real downside is they are pricey, the U3 is just about as good for considerably less . .

 

yea but the u3 is too big and thick. These are thin so they should fit in the orion m17x messenger bag. The nc 11 looks good. ::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions :::. 17-23db is nice. It looks better than the nc2000 and it is 1 giant fan instead of 2 small ones. Opinions on this?

 

zalman is looking better now. Any other opinions on zalman?

 

I think this is essentially the same thing except half the price and 10mm larger fan than the zalman... Amazon.com: Thermaltake Massive23 LX Laptop Notebook Cooler Oversized 230mm Blue LED Fan USB CLN0015: Electronics

 

NC 11 looks to be a cheap version of a zalman cooler, not sure it is as good as the others, the thermaltake massive23 LX only has metal in the middle, the sides of the top part are plastic, I would steer clear of it, plastic will not be as cold as metal... You do know that you can place your laptop inside the U3 right?

 

I am also thinking of buying a Zalman cooler, and I dont know really what to choose....

NC2000NT looks like performance the worst zalman cooler (more then enough i think), but it looks very strong build and unmovable, the slim profile is also very nice, not lifting my m17x 10 inches.

Then i have to choose between the NC-11 and NC3500, they are both very nice and really i dont know what one is better, the specs are almost the same.....

X23 also looks very nice, the only question when i see some review, isnt the front a little bit high for the wrists?


I think with alienware m17x (R4) the cooling pad doesnt matter that much, the fact that you lifted it and use a fan for extra flow is enough.
I really only won a few degrees in idle operations, when i game or i am editing the temperature of my laptop is really that much lower....

I think the most important is how does the laptop sit on the coolerpad, does it slide down or up lol and so on, is it ergonomic...

 

It is almost a 20 euro price difference between NC 11 and NC3500, that probably means that the quality is inferior (less metal/maybe different cheaper metal, cheaper plastic, cheaper fans...) even the older NC2000 and NC3000 still sell for the same price as the NC3500, so they are probably superior in quality aswell .
I can personally vouch for NC2000 though great cooler, the metal is thick and really cools down to almost fridge like temperatures, I have had it for 5 years and it still works perfectly, the newer NC3000 and NC3500 are probably really good but I cant say for sure, I havent used them .
My next notebook cooler purchase (when mine dies) will either be a zalman or coolermaster's U3 .

 

The NC-11 is mostly plastic so thats no good after I read that. It seems the nc2000 and 3000u are the only zalman coolers that are aluminum. I prefer the design of the 3000u because it has space under the cooler like the u3 that the 2000 does not. Also it comes with a usb cable to connect and an external power source for the cooler in case you don't want to hook it up to the notebook. All the other coolers zalmon sells are either plastic or steel and plastic. So I would guess none of those are good because that plastic will not get cold. Also the 3000u has one giant fan to cool everything rather than 2 little ones like the 2000 has. I also like the look of the 3000u better. So opinions on this?

The noise level on the 3000u says 17-23dba plus 10% so I'm not exactly sure what they mean by that. Does that mean it is really like 19-25dba? lol

Also it seems on newegg the nc2000 has many more reviews with 71% being over 5 stars. And the nc3000u only has around 40 reviews though with about half being 5 stars.

 

I too use the U3 and love it. I tossed the fans that came with, went to Radioshack and bought a $2 dc port (female) and had a spare 12v 3a dc wall plug laying around. I then wired 5 3 pin fan adapters to it (took all of 20 minutes to wire this thing up and was very simple) and I have tried many combos. I attached 3 120mm fans and 2 60mm fans to the U3 (basically filled it up) and found the 120mm fans were pretty ineffective as the holes do not allow much airflow thru. The 2 60mm fans work like a champ as they are high CFM fans that i bought to upgrade the cooling in an overheating Xbox 360 (that is now dead) years ago. I now have a 60mm fan under the cpu vent, a 60mm fan under the gpu vent, and a 90mm fan (from a processor cooler) under the middle of the laptop where the little tiny vent is (i think this is the actual gpu vent and the other is the in/out for the gpu cooler). Under load (read a 3 hour session of Bioshock Infinite last night (where i lost complete track of timing and didn't got to be until really late and had work early this morning as its that great of a game) my 7970m hangs under 60F and my CPU was in the 40's. All settings in game are maxed out on my M17x w/ a 1600x900 resolution. Day to day tasks (internet, movie watching, etc) see temps for the CPU around 32F and the GPU at 31F. I also have everything hooked into a Zalman Fanmate so i can control the volume of the fans. :]

I do think i may either get a hole saw and cut the 60mm holes directly into the U3 to allow no air restriction under the two large vents on the bottom of the M17x. Do you guys think that it would mess with the structure and support of the cooler? I would then cover the fans with a 60mm fan grill. If it will make the structure weak, then I may just drill out the holes with a bigger drill bit to allow more air to pass.

Also, would it be better to move a 60mm fan under the little mesh hole in the center of the laptop as opposed to being directly under the fan?

 

I like it because I can position the fans perfectly underneathe the 2 GPU spots and the CPU. I can also buy 3 more OEM fans for $10 for additional cooling. I had a large single fan model before, but I didn't feel like I was getting proper cooling to the hot spots in the corners. The U3 has kept my temps very low, even though I have driver problems with the on board fans.

 

Makes sense although it's kind of like the arguments over the best thermal paste when the difference between the top ten options is 1-2 degrees under benchmark load tests and all perform about as well as using mustard out of your fridge. I'm confused about your issue with the Massive23 though because it blows most of the cold air out at the 4 corners of the laptop and sucks in air from the sides which on alienwares works great because they vent out the back so the cooler isn't sucking in the hot vented air.

 

Just as a point of curiosity what exactly do you think is the benefit of having the part of your cooler that touches neither the fan nor the laptop being metal...?

I've used everything from the pure plastic Antec ones to the pure metal Notepals and NZXT CRYO ones. The benefit to the all metal ones is nonexistent over the partial metal ones. The pure plastic ones don't perform as well. The major drawback to the all metal ones if they are uncomfortable to lift, have sitting on your laptop, and nearly impossible to carry in anything without their edges constantly snagging on things in bags etc. The only time I would suggest an all metal one is if your literally only using it to sit on a desk and never move it. If you're traveling at all or ever move your laptop around or use it on your lap etc then do not get one they are annoying and it will be something you deal with instead of something you like.

 

Can we go back to the zalman OEM talk not modifying the fans lol. But yes this is why the zalman may be the best since it is aluminum where it counts and plastic on the bottom I believe so it is not rough. The nc2000. There is no point to get an all plastic cooler.

Now can people who have tried the nc2000 comment? It keeps to get better reviews than the u3 on newegg and it is also much thinner and more practical. I really don't care about positioning the fans since the nc2000 has the dual fans in the right place anyways for the m17x.

 

Bumping for reviews on zalman nc2000s

 

anyone else??????????

 

does anyone know if there is a performance or quality difference between the nc2000 and the nc2000nt which is the super slim version? The nc2000nt is also 20 dollars cheaper.

 

I thinm myself its a pretty good cooler and i am going to get it, only thing i dislike is that the suction of the cooling is on the backside where the heat is of the m17x, dont think its a big deal anyway.
I you want a slim on that's works ok, is made of aluminium then go for the nc2000 i think.

I you want still something strong and very nice i think an NC3000 and NC3500 are very good, think in cooling performance a little bit better then the NC2000 but they are also bigger....

Dont think anybody will give you good advice on this one because everyone is in love with the u3 and people do not really buy a slim cooler for the m17x, they want the most bad cooler there is.... (don't know why).

sjoerd

 

I ordered the nc2000nt. lets see how the slim one stacks up. The nc3000 and 3500 are not aluminum they are mostly plastic which is why I didn't bother with those. Only the nc2000 and 2000nt are aluminum.

 

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