NZXT Cryo LX or Zalman NC2000 for G51?

I'm planning on getting the G51VX-X1A. Which of those two coolers is cheaper or performs better with the G51 series?

 

I'm trying to decide as well. Leaning a bit towards the Zalman. I like how the vents are a bit lower. Looking at the components on the G51 they seem a bit lower (especially the GPU) so I'm thinking the Zalman is covering the right area's better. Just speculating of course.

 

In my experience they both run the same price.
I personally ended up getting the cryo LX, even though it folds the cryo is one heavy peice of machinery
I like it more as the stay on desk solution (unless of course your going to a lan ), the zalman is more portable IMO being thinner and more rounded edge, but seeing as they both are on the
Larger size of the scale I would prefer to use them at home.
No questions though the cryo lx does its job and does it well. My only pet peeve(s) is that it takes 2 usb ports to power it on full speed(3 fans)
good thing they included an ac adapter. And it doesn't lock open or lock closed(folded) but I ended up still getting it

 

Heh, I go to a lot of lan parties. Whole reason I'm getting a laptop. Got tired of lugging my overweight underpowered desktop around along with monitor and accesories

 

Even with the cooler that's not much to carry at all in comparison. Gotta love technology these days!

Is the Cryo and active cooler and the Nc2000 passive? I'm trying to decide myself on these two, both look good and both had good comments about them. I like the fact that you can plug the Cryo with its own power. With all my planned hook-ups I'm loosing usb ports like crazy.

Since the Cryo has 3 fans, does it perform better? I was even considering getting a usb fan to put on the side of the vent help take the hot air out as well. The whole issue of the g51 running hot makes me a bit concerned so I want Primo cooling.

 

I have the NZXT myself for my G50VT-X5 and I find it very good. Especially that get back 4 USB ports that are all powered by 1 USB port from ur laptop. The placement of the 3 fans are also good because its close to the GPU. I dont like the placement for the fans for the NC2000 because its at the bottom >.> which makes no sense because the little top part doesnt get any airflow, so its kinda stupid for me. Yes I do admit the NZXT is a bit heavy but it can be folded. I however still dont take it anywhere even to a lan party because of its size >.<. I just use it at home and it works well for me. I prob lose about up to 5 degrees when i have my laptop on the cooler

 

NZXT Cryo LX Video Review

Zalman NC2000 Video Review

Watching the following reviews helped me make my decision about a laptop cooler. I ended up going with the NZXT because it had 3 120mm fans, a USB hub and the fan location is more conducive to cooling. The fans/ducts are located in an odd position on the NC2000 and consequently they may not line up with your laptop's fans. Finally I like the fact that the NZXT folds up and can be stored in a backpack easily.

Hope this helps.

 

I've been looking for a cooler as well but have pretty much settled on the Cryo LX... i think its a nice fit for the G51VX But the NC2000 is a bit cheaper, and zipzoomfly has the Bing! cashback thing going on, so it can save you a few bucks.

 

Thanks for the links. Watched them both and yes the Cryo looks good and powerful too. Wasn't the Cryo the one with dc power as well?

I'll be getting the g51vx or possibly the g60 in the future (crosses fingers for a 1080p ver). Hows the size on these. I'm sure the cooler is bigger than the 15.6" g51vx. Is the extra room on the sides not too bad?

 

Both fit a standard 17" laptop. I know that the G51vx fits, and i'm fairly positive the G60 would as well.

 

While i dont disagree with your statement, im not sure about the the G51, i also own the G71 and the NZXT lower my temps at least by 5C, but the G51 has different chasis design and so are the vent placements. I cant say for sure what would work better, but there are some people already runing it like Sunny is runing the NC2000 and xcskiier23 is runing the CRYO (not the lx though), also the G51 uses the same chasis as the G50 so it might be good to check reviews of coolers of the G50 like for example the following Clutch's Zalman NC 2000 Review w/ Pictures. My best guess would be the Zalman might be more efective due that it will have air coming in the lower part and so the G51 have a lot of vents there, but again this is just a guess would be better to research more and ask others thru pm that own each cooler.

 

Yes, the Cryo can be powered using mains or through USB. This cooler is designed for a 17" laptop but it will look good with a smaller laptop too since the it is anodized aluminum. You can get it in silver or black I believe.

 

@Abula

I just checked out the first video on GentechPC's G51Vx-A1 page, which is a walkaround of the laptop.

G51Vx-A1 on GenTechPC

If you skip ahead to approximately the 3 min mark you will get a clear view if the bottom of the G51. While there are some vents at the bottom, there are also some vents right in the middle. I guess it would be up to the owner which one they though lined up better, the Cryo LX or the NC2000. I personally still prefer the NZXT Cryo LX.

My $0.02...

 

Isn't there a smaller version of the CRYO for 15.6inch laptops?

 

There is a smaller version - NZXT Cryo S.

As to then fan/ vent placement, I own a NC2000 and have to say that the placement is very good although not perfect. The CPU + RAM vents are sitting in the middle of the huge bottom vent where the airflow is great. The GPU vent is still above (in the corner) the NC2000 vent where the airflow still manages to cool it.

I didn't officially test the temps, but whenever I played, I recorded the GPU + CPU temps with HWmonitor, with/without the cooler. The results were actually better than I thought. The biggest drop was GPU temp under load ~ -9-10C.

I never owned a NZXT Cryo LX, but I can surely recommend the Zalman NC2000, it works great for the G51.


EDIT: Just played 2hrs of Company of Heroes- Tales of Valor (max settings), and the GPU was 85C max. My max without was 96C.

 

Probably the best thing to do is see both unit in person and bring ur laptop with you.
Don't forget the chassis on the G51 is approx the same size as a normal 17 laptop if not bigger.
Cryo S OR the NC1000 are better for the 15.4s and lower.

 

Yes I'd say that as well. IMO getting an NC1000 or Cryo S is not good choice (for the G51, or really any 15.4/6"), because they could be to small. Take for instance the G51, it fits just perfectly on the NC2000, even though it's not 17". I have about 0.5-1cm gap between the edges of the cooler and the G51.

 

Yea seen that Gentech vid of the g51vx a1 like many times now drooling all the while Actually I noticed the one in the video doesn't have chrome accents like I have seen in reviews. Just to mention for no reason.

One thing I like about the Cryo LX is that the fan's are right under the unit pushing air. BUT, the Zalman's vent area hits the vent and component area's (of the g51vx) a little better imo.

Weight won't be a problem for me since i'll be using this as a DTR at home mainly but mobile on occasion. So I'm glad I can use an ac outlet for the Cryo Lx. Both units seem great in their own way. My resellers here never really have what I want on display so it's all research and legwork. :GEEK:

 

When I get home I'll post a pic of the cooler(cryo lx) with the laptop on it.
On the box it does say its the largest aluminum notebook cooler in the world LOL

 

I didn't even know those laptop coolers existed. All we got here (in Belgium) is Logitec and Belking. Both brands have 1 fan which makes like 2 celcius difference. And i'm not even sure about that either. Before that I used 2 blocks to elevate my laptop for better airflow which worked just as fine.

I looked on ebay to import one of these, they cost abiut 50 dollars, plus 35 dollars for shipping them to Belgium (about 75 euros total). O well, still cheaper than paying like 300 euros more for an alienware just for its better cooling.