Best Notebook Coolers for 18" Alienware Laptops

The local (Plano) Fry's had a couple of SF-19's on the shelf last Friday. I started to pick one up but decided to wait for comments/feedback.

 

Hey I live in Tampa.

I use this Cooler not becaus I'm cheap but it kinda works.

 

my SF-19 came in last night. It seems to function as my gpu fans didn't kick in while sitting on the cooler, had the fans set about mid way. The cooler is slightly larger than the 18x, plus it puts the keyboard at a nice angle while in my lap. My cat loves to lay under the laptop while I use it(loves the heat I guess) so the extra dust filters from the cooler is a big plus.

 

Just keep telling yourself 50% off. Makes it bearable.

 

which would be a better idea ?

 

NZXT ACC-NT-CRYO LX Aluminum Notebook Cooler 120MM Adjustable Fans (Black) - Notebook Coolers - Computer Accessories - All Products
this is the best laptop cooler

 

There are a lot of issues with this cooler and I would not recommend it.

 

I actually have that cooler and while it was fine with my m17x (once I replaced the fans with some good ones) it is just too small for the m18x.

This is why I bought the CM SF19 which fits the m18x PERFECT

D.

 

I'd go for a cooler it serves the purpose of the docking station plus offers ventilations as well. I own the Zalmax Cryo NZX........pretty good so far

 

Did you grab the USB one or just the standard cooler. Trying to find out if I need to buy an extra cable so I can move the USB connections out of the way.

Edit: Nevermind, just found a site that said it was included.

 

Yep, the cable is included.
I got the usb3 version.

Only "problem" I have with it is the provided cable is an ugly blue color.
They should have kept it black to match the rest.

D.

 

Sweet good to know it works, it's available at my favorite computer store which is an added bonus ... I don't like waiting =P

 

the way i understood this, is that the fans of the cooling mat are quite bull.. but if i lift the laptop a tad above the desk, the laptop can breath more easly and thus allowing more air flow. so im baisicly looking for best option to life the laptop above the desk for more air flow , either a docking station or a laptop cooler , just wondering what would be more efficient

 

I got mine sitting on a targus chill mat and the funny thing is last night I was reaching around my laptop to check cords and I touched the back of the screen with my arm and it was at least 10 degrees celcius colder than room temperature. the air coming out the back was nice and cold.

 

I'm opting for a laptop cooler as the docking station's I have seen don't seem to lift it up at the proper angle for me. Proper angle + USB Ports = WIN for me. Plus the coolers are MUCH cheaper than most docking stations.

 

what would u say about this one :
::: Zalman, leading the world of Quiet Computing Solutions ::: ?

 

I have this one on a 17 laptop... it's working great, but I don't know if it'll work that well with my futur m18x.

 

I was leaning towards the CoolerMaster SF-19, mainly for the higher height size and usb 3.0 ports. Although that one would work well if they only made it for an 18+" laptop.

Edit: I do like the Zalman design much better, USB ports on the back and out of the way.

 

Coolers are bulky. You can always get a pair of 'laptop feet' to give the air intakes more space. A few degrees less this way.
I got something like this and I am satisfied: http://www.bluelounge.com/products/coolfeet/

 

So many choices and all good ones.

Just have to pick the one that works best for you.

I like the coolers with fans as I find the cooler raises it to a nice angle, provides a usb hub and the cooler collects all the dust by the fans instead of my system.

I hardly have any dust accumulate in my system as the cooler collects it all and all I have to do is wipe that down to clean it off... much easier than tearing down the system every couple of months to clean dust out of the heatsink fins.

I have the CM SF19 now with the usb3 hub.. I am very happy with it personally.

I also like that grey silicone strip you can find HERE for travel.

I also have laptop legs on my mbp and that helps a ton.. but they do not fit on the M18x correctly (unstable placement)

D.

 

I use the logitech Alto Stand, and keep the laptop off to the side of the 24" monitor it is hooked up to. It fits the m18x pretty well, my G73 before it was a bit more awkward, I think because it was lighter. Although I now keep it on a desk whose back is to a wall, because one time my G73 did a backflip off the back. Since there was no wall to stop it it just went straight down. Still worked like a charm though

Probably not the best endorsement, but I really does sit the m18x just fine.

Logitech - Alto? Connect Notebook Stand + 4-Port Hub customer reviews - product reviews - read top consumer ratings

The USB hub is where I hook my mouse/keyboard/headset up to

 

Well I just got the SF-19 Setup and everything plugged in. Love the 4 USB Ports, and surprisingly the higher position lines up the monitor for me better.

Keeps everything about 6 deg cooler (specially on GPU2 which is the one that has annoyed me).

Edit: Forgot to mention its freaking loud, think about the same as both GPU fans on high, I use headphones so it works for me.

 

Oh wow, that SF-19 looks...great...much want.

 

Lol yeah... with the fans on high it is loud... (I also wear headphones when gaming so no problem for me) ... otherwise it is at ~25-40% which is pretty quiet.

D.

 

OK just finished two runs of vantage one Full fans, one No fans on the SF-19. Here's what happened.

No Fans:
GPU1 Max: 75
GPU2 Max: 82
Cores (Max): 77,77,75,74

Full Fans:
GPU1 Max: 74
GPU2 Max: 80
Cores (Max): 74,76,73,72 (same order as first run)

So it seems to be doing it's job, between 1-3 Deg on Cores and 1-2 Deg on GPU's.

 

Lucky.

SF_19 FTW!!!

I'm trying brother. It sucks hearing all these positive comments while I wait for my replacement. How's your Naga EPIC?

That's one of my deciding factors.

Can we buy just any black cable or does it have to be USB 3 certified?

Thanks for the info.

 

the SF-19 is the best looking one out there BUT the fans are too low for the m18x so you get no benefit from the cooling.

 

It would have to be a usb3 certified cable of what ever color you could find.

I am actually thinking of buying a black usb3 cable next time I purchase paste or something

D.

 

what are the issues? why is that the best laptop cooler in 2011?

 

I am also going to purchase a black USB 3.0 cable. Even though Blue is my favorite colour, I'm going for an all black(expect Nebula Red Lid/bottom) setup with AlienFX lighting for everything.
Can you post a few pics with the cooler's lighting effects with the M18x seated on it? I can't even plug my broken one in because it has a PAL/Euro plug
My replacement should be here Friday or Monday.

 

Sure, I will take a couple of quick pictures when I get home today.

D.

 

Thank you. I tried to give rep but it says I must spread some around first.

 

Lol. I keep getting that when I keep trying to give rep to you.

Naga epic still at home on the desktop. Still working good.

 

Ok, here are some pictures I took real quick.
Not the best quality (just used my handheld for these)

 

Thank you. That looks soooo sweet!! I can't wait for Friday or Monday!!
Finally..................+1 rep!!!

 

Hey guys,
I see some of you decide to go with the sf 19, I was considering it too myself, but I think m18x palmrest already high enough without coolers underneath it, I'm thinking o just coolers that will just fie angle without raising the whole laptop, and I came by this sites with several different options

Laptop Cooling - Notebook Coolers - Laptop Cooling Pads - Laptop Cooling Fans

I think these two is the best options, but then Which cools better?
One huge fan 620-740 rpm or 2 smaller fans at 1500 rpm?

220m fan at 620 - 720 rpm
Zalman ZM-NC3000U Quiet Notebook Cooler

2 smaller fans at 1000 - 1500 rpm?
zalman_zm_nc2000_laptop_cooler_17_inch_design

 

I use an SF19 and trust me, it makes it too uncomfortable to use the M18X keyboard. I'm a tall guy and it still is too far to raise your hand.

Pro's of SF19
1. It's good looking.
2. Even without the fans on, I noticed I immediately got a few degrees better idling simply by elevating the M18X.
3. It definitely makes a difference when gaming.

Cons of SF19
1. You will need to use an external keyboard because it is too high. Using the M18X as a desktop replacement though I think this is okay. The screens big enough to where it works and I'm never lugging mine around anyway.
2. The USB plug mine came with didn't fit in any of my M18x plugs so I only have it on powered but I am not even sure what advantage USB has.
3. It can be kinda loud on its highest setting and unless you're blasting your headset it isn't totally drowned out but maybe that's to be expected.

 

i still say go with the notepal U3, it has three fans, and you can position them wherever. heres a video review of the notepal.

 

Update, here are a couple of pictures of my cooler in action:

 

It works as a 4-port USB 2/3 hub (depending on model and which port you plug it into) - handy if you use a lot of USB peripherals, especially ones you don't move when you move your computer, but not deal-breaking. Mine works fine in either the USB 2 or USB 3 ports on my M18.

 

I bought a SF-19 some days ago, but since i haven't got the m18x yet i can't give exact number regarding the M18x cooling yet.
But one thing i noticed is that i vibrates, quite alot if you ask me. I used an old laptop from 2001 or so to test it out, and it did infact cool it down

(The laptop i tested with did random shutdowns due to overheat while browsing the web) But with the SF-19 i could browse around for hours without any shutdowns, so i guess it helps the cooling.

At low speed its completely silent and the vibrations totally stops, but if you just speed up the fans a little bit it will start to vibrate.

Not sure if new fans will fix this, or just changing to "rubber screws"

 

I don't notice vibration but it could be because once the heavy monster M18X is on it, it keeps it rather planted. The fans at their highest setting are unfortunately loud, though.

 

The SF-19 does not actually provide any addtional cooling with the fans on....

 

Anyone seen this?
Targus HD3 Gaming Chill Mat? | AWE57US
Looks very slim, low profile and looks like it may be reasonably effective.
Edit: According to tigerdirect, it has 3 fans similar to the U3.

 

That's a totally subjective statement. So many factors to consider, but the main two to consider would be:

1. Are you overclocking at all?
2. What's your EXACT configuration?

For me, I do not overclock. I have the 460M SLI. The majority of the temp drop is caused by the elevation, however it's incorrect to suggest that the fans on do not provide "ANY" additional cooling. I've forgotten to turn them on when gaming before and realized mid-session and definitely noticed a small and consistent cooling upon turning the fan on high.

 

Here are my numbers so I wouldn't say it does absolutely nothing. The housing does buzz/vibrate but some strategically placed rubber mat could easily solve that problem.

Edit: For reference I ran them in that order, no fans first then full fans. So it WAS pre-heated when the second run was done.

 

im curious about this one as well, anyone have any reviews from personal use of this?

 

It's "Meh." I use one similar but it's more of a lap pad with a cooler on top so its comfortable on a couch. I like to game on a couch and not positioned on a desk personally. Honestly cool pads are only really good for sitting around. A flat surface is fine for all intents and purposes.

To the previous poster, it looks like you had an 80 and 82 on your GPU's but then you posted cores with NO core running in the 80s...something is wrong with your monitoring I think...

 

Hey Guys, I have just received my Notepal U3. I'd like to share with u all

as promised to 3Demons







There you have it

It feels cool, the aluminium was soo cold when its out of the box,
I love the angle! its just perfect
I cant hear the fan honestly, its sucking alot of cool air to my m18x

 

Looks realy great. Can you replace fans if wanted? I kinda regret my SF-19 now. Might just aswell buy one of these too