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    Mesh inside L702x prevents good air flow

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by ZippoMan, Jun 18, 2011.

  1. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Here's the mesh some people have been removing. It's attached to the air vent directly in front of the main CPU/GPU fan. You can see how much dust has accumulated after only a couple months. In order to remove it you basically have to take apart the whole laptop. Follow the Dell service manual, it's not that bad. While I was at it I replaced the Dell thermal paste with Arctic MX-4. It runs cooler now.
     

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    ZippoMan, Jun 18, 2011
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  2. Brendanmurphy

    Brendanmurphy Your Worst Nightmare

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    Studio Xps had the same problem. Removing reduces temps by 5c - 10c.

    BUT USE CAUTION!!!!

    Please keep on top of cleaning it if not you will clog the fan and temps will increase and then your in trouble. If you live in the Sahara don't bother
     
    Brendanmurphy, Jun 18, 2011
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  3. lotust

    lotust Notebook Geek

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    you can also use some compressed air to blow the dust free and out the vents.
     
    lotust, Jun 18, 2011
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  4. ZippoMan

    ZippoMan Notebook Evangelist

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    Yeah, but the mesh greatly reduces the amount of air flow. The goal wasnt just to remove the dust.
     
    ZippoMan, Jun 18, 2011
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  5. Neubeehunhun

    Neubeehunhun Notebook Evangelist

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    Yes, just took em off, temps dropped immediately.
     
    Neubeehunhun, Jun 18, 2011
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  6. lotust

    lotust Notebook Geek

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    I gotcha. I just hate the dust getting in. I wish they made a removeable door to be able to clean it easier.


    what were your cpu temps?
     
    lotust, Jun 18, 2011
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  7. lotust

    lotust Notebook Geek

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    Im seeing 172*f while ripping a BluRay backup. Thats not too bad I guess. Funny thing is I picked this laptop up used/new today and blew it all out with an air blower before I even saw this post.


    What are your max temps? and your idle temps.
     
    lotust, Jun 18, 2011
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  8. mortenvat

    mortenvat Notebook Enthusiast

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    hmm my CPU reaching 98 Celsius and GPU reaching 90 Celsius. I think its down to dust and bad paste job, what would you recommend?
     
    mortenvat, Nov 21, 2011
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  9. Arrrrbol

    Arrrrbol Notebook Deity

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    Does the XPS 15 have this mesh aswell?
     
    Arrrrbol, Dec 31, 2011
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  10. nomygod

    nomygod Notebook Geek

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    Yes it does. You can take the mesh of the back panel easily, but if you don't want to take the whole laptop apart (it's not that bad a procedure), you can take some canned air and clean it out. open the back panel, and you should see a part of the fan housing. From UNDER the laptop, so as to keep the canned air upright, stick the air stray through the hole to the fan and spray horizontally toward the heatsink. This can be done from time to time to clean out the dust.
    make sure you turn the laptop off, remove the battery, and hold the power button for 30 seconds to halt any discharge before you begin
     
    nomygod, Dec 31, 2011
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