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    Cooling options

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by Sliced_Bread, Jan 16, 2007.

  1. Sliced_Bread

    Sliced_Bread Notebook Consultant

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    I've never used one of those laptop cooling shelf doohickeys but I used to work at a place that sold them. My question: do they actually do anything?

    The things looks like cheap plastic with some big fans which aren't necessarily in the correct place and probably don't help with actual air flow just pulling air out. I don't see the need for one at the moment, but I'm still curious if they actually do anything.
     
    Sliced_Bread, Jan 16, 2007
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  2. Zero

    Zero The Random Guy

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    Yes, they will work. The air circulation under a notebook is very limited, and so a fresh current of cool air flowing under there, will help the fans under the notebook be more efficient. You should see where the fans are amounted under your notebook, and which parts get warm. That way, you can choose a cooling pad with its fans near about to where they are needed.
     
    Zero, Jan 16, 2007
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  3. Tim

    Tim Notebook Virtuoso

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    Check out Chaz's cooling guide.
    Tim
     
    Tim, Jan 16, 2007
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  4. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    Definitely check out the cooling guide. There's some great information there.

    Also, of all the notebook coolers that I've seen I am most impressed by the Zalman MC-nc1000. We have a review for it in the News & Reviews section. That one is not cheap plastic and actually looks very nice.
     
    chrisyano, Jan 16, 2007
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  5. ikovac

    ikovac Cooler and faster... NBR Reviewer

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    And I had a really expensive aluminium one that was worthless -noisy and not cooling actually (thermaltake or something). So I bought a cheap plastic one with usb hub (JustCooler - quiet and cooling) that does its job perfectly for over a year now. Very good indeed. So the bottom line is that you have to find one that suits you best. Be sure to check the noise. Also the diameter of fans should be as big as possible. Bigger fan - slower rpm - quieter cooler. At least based on what I have seen so far.

    Cheers,

    Ivan
     
    ikovac, Jan 16, 2007
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