Best cooling pad?

Just looking for the best way to cool my m15x.

I have been over clocking for BF3 and noticed that my system is running over 100c. It even runs in the 90s at stock.

I would feel better about things if I could cool it well.

I don't want to buy a junk cooling pad. Nor do I wish to spend a trillion dollars on one.

 

A cooling pad would help, but only a little bit. Have you cleaned out your laptop, and repasted cpu/gpu.

Some good cooling pads off the top of my head: cooler master sf-19, nzxt cryo lx, zalman nc2000.

The first 2 are not lightweight coolers, just so you know.

 

That's fine. My laptop is a desktop replacement. It sits on a desk 24/7

I have never been inside a laptop before. I'm scared to do crap like that, lol.

 

repaste/ fan/vent cleaning is the best way to lower your temps if u haven't already. a cooler will not help to much. your better off just keeping the back end of the laptop raised

 

So, a first step would be to try to clean the dust out of the heat sinks. You can do this fairly easily with compressed air (which you can get in most computer stores, including Best Buy...). DO it with the computer turned off to avoid any damage to the fans. SInce these heat sinks have a strong tendency to accumulate dust, I would anticipate that this step alone will make a significant difference. Note that a cooling pad will not help much if dust in the heat sinks is the problem. Also, if the only use is as a desktop replacement, it is commonly recommended to remove the battery - this tends to improve cooling. Also, be sure the vests are clear. You can push temps really high by setting the laptop on a bed or blanket or lap .

If this doesn't help, it may be necessary to consider repasting. Detailed instructions have been provided on this forum. Here is basic information, including dust bunny removal: http://forum.notebookreview.com/alienware-m15x/488201-new-m15x-owner-information.html#post6307409 . Here is inap's excellent guide that explains how to do a repasting. [ http://www.sendspace.com/file/09h9ef ] It's not nearly all that difficult.

There's lots of help available here.

Good luck - and let us know how you make out. We can all learn.

Joe

 

A cooling pad won't make much of a difference, if it makes any at all. You need to check the vents for dust and you probably need to apply new thermal paste and thermal pads. If you don't have a 9 cell battery make sure to prop the back of the laptop up so that you get better airflow.

 

Thanks. I'm downloading the guide. I'll give it a shot.

 

Just to share my experience.. Dont turn off ur laptop immediately after exiting the game.. Let it on for a min or so, until it reaches idle temps..

 

As an update. I opened up my laptop and sprayed out all the dust. You were right. it was caked. Especially on the outside vent cover.

After that I played BF3 overclocked to 800/1100 and my temps were in the low 80s after an hour of play.

In time I'll probably tackle the paste as well, but I'm happy with low 80s for now.