Guide to Cooling Down Your Notebook Computer

But that's what I'm trying to do; cooling down my notebook. Undervolting is one of the suggested ways and I have a question about it so I asked.

 

Undervolt won't change the speed, only the stability(if it does). If you have run it for long enough time and it doesn't freeze or show any kind of error, it means the voltage is ok, for normal usage.

 

ok thx a lot!

 

Awesome thread!

Lately when i have been playing games, i noticed how hot the 'exhaust' is coming out of the vent on my laptop. I took the various temps i was getting using NHC:

on battery:

CPU: 39-41 deg
HDD: 33 deg

on AC with Word and light surfing (plus battery charging)

CPU: 50-53 deg
HDD: 35-39 deg

Guild Wars alone

CPU 70-75deg
HD 35 deg

Counter-strike then Guild Wars (windowed) + Surfing here and there

CPU: 80-81 deg
HDD: 38 deg

So how are these values?

What i find a little strange is that my Word and light surfing temp for my HDD is higher than the temp for playing those two games. Maybe since they are both online games plays into it, but its a little strange nonetheless.

 

That is a valid question, don't worry. I am not sure why your test took that long (I do not own a Core 2 Duo machine yet so I can't check, perhaps someone who has one can try the test and see what happens) but if your laptop didn't freeze in that amount of time, then it should be fine.

Run this test too:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=123570&page=1
It's a great stability test. Make sure that you post your scores too.

Yes I occasionally buy items off of eBay although usually not computers parts. Which cooling pads are you looking at in particular? Some cooling pads are terrible while others are incredibly effective.

They look fine to me; your CPU temp is a little high while running Guild wars and other stuff but it is nothing to be worried about. You are using a 14" notebook after all and with such powerful components inside it is not unusual to have higher than normal temperatures. But like I said, nothing to worry about. I think a cooling pad is a worthwhile investment for you.

 

A question about coolpad :

I have read somewhere that there is one passive one(some kind of material, no fan or power required). The concern is, it is soft and going under the notebook. This of course would more or less block the air inflow where many of nowadays notebook use the cool down the stuff.

Would this make it worse off ? In the sense that on one hand, it remove heat from the large bottom surface but on the other hand it may make the CPU cooler(fan relies on air inflow from bottom) less efficient.

 

It is perfectly fine for it to take that long. Especially if you're processor has a higher maximum clock.

 

Passive coolers are usually made out of metal . . . would you by any chance be able to find a link to what you are talking about? It sounds like a bad idea. I would not put anything under a notebook that would block the fans.

 

http://www.geardiary.com/2007/05/06/thermaltake-ixoft-fanless-notebook-cooler-review/

Really sounds too good to be true, thus the question.

edit: a more through review

http://www.bigbruin.com/2007/ttixoft_4

 

Thanks for the response, Chaz!

 

Wow, that is extremely interesting. Thanks for the link.

It got positive marks from both reviewers. I don't see anything wrong with it off the bat. It's just that I have never seen anything like that before.

The $29.99 pricetag is reasonable; as noted in one of the reviews, it is a competitive price.

 

Thanks both moderators for answering my question. I tried the wPrime and have posted the scores. Just wondering though, is it acceptable for my cpu temp to be at 63-66C while running the test?

 

Yeah Chaz, there are a bundle of laptop coolers on ebay. In your spare time, could you pinpoint one out on eBay thats "incredibly effective"?

Much appreciated my man.

 

I am using 'Notepal by Cooler master' at the moment. Also I ve undervolted, and am using Artic silver 5! I used to get over 70 degrees C playing CS source (massive fps drop), but now i only get Max 56-58 whilst playing CSS.

 

Yes, definitely.

I would recommend the Spire Pacific Breeze cooler, it can be found for around $15 retail. It may not even be worth it to get that on eBay since it is so cheap. It is the one I use and it works wonderfully. It is not that portable though and read about the pros/cons detailed in the guide.

The ZALMAN ZM-NC1000 is another great cooler. A little expensive, but good.

Awesome job, that's a big improvement.

 

Chaz, how come in NHC under Voltage, theres nothing showing up? I cant click anything....take a look...

View attachment 7474




Or is it because I'm running a core2 duo that doesn't allow me to change the voltage?



Also, do you I even NEED to undervolt?

CPU IDLE : 46
CPU Load: 54-60

HDD IDle: 35-37ish
HDD Load: 39

CPU temp never went over 61 degrees.
HDD temp never went over 39 degrees.

Think its necessary for me to undervolt? Or should I just stick with buying a cooling pad?

 

It looks like that version of Notebook Hardware Control is not compatible with your notebook. See this thread:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124420

It is not necessary to undervolt, no, but it doesn't cost anything and it will reduce heat and give you more battery life. What's to lose?

 

Chaz, thats the latest version of NHC, the one that supports Vista as it states. How could it not be compatible?

Maybe there something else I need to turn on or set?

Help me out Chaz!

 

I don't have a Core 2 Duo yet unfortunately, I wish I could help more. The best I can do is ask you to make a post in the thread I linked above and see if Ivan (the poster of that thread) can help you out - he has Vista and a Core 2 Duo.

 

Does a cool/cold environmental temperature help in lowering the temperature of the notebook?

 

Chaz

Did you try this cooling pad?

Vantec Lapcool 4 - LPC-430, it is foldable and easy to carry around but the description didn't mention about the speed.

http://www.xoxide.com/vantec-lapcool-4.html

Next, I will also recommend who feel heat air from the side air hole.

http://www.evercool.com.tw/products/nb_ma1.htm

Easy to carry too.

 

Yes it does - my notebook is significantly hotter in the summertime than it is during the wintertime/fall.

I haven't tried either of those cooling pads actually. I would not recommend investing in a cooling pad unless you can get a reliable review for it. Some notebook coolers are really good and others do nothing.
I like that last one you linked. It's a good concept although how effective it is could be another story.

 

Well, thanks for advise. I also feel that Lapcool 4 cooling pad is quite pricey. Then I will get an OEM version which look similar and try it out which only cost me (SGD 28). (look is exactly the same just unknown brand). However, the MAX is 1500 only, would it really help?

There are 2 types Evercool Magic (2 speed options - 3000 and 3800) and Fairy (3800). Do you think any difference between 3000 and 3800? if not much difference then I just get the Evercool Fairy even though just a few dollars difference.

Well, my laptop Asus W7S is quite HOT.. but it is less than a week old.. so I don't want to try to undervolt it yet (Would it void the warranty?). So I will try to get 2 coolers, the cooling pad and the Everycool product. I will post the result here after I got it tested.

 

I guess I'm gonna use the canned air thing... Great guide!

 

What do you think of Cooler Master notepal W1? for a 17" notebook?

 

That's the thing - you never know. I would suggest going with a known brand that has reviews. It's the safest way, even if it costs a little more.

If it's just a few dollars, get the 3800 one. The more air flowing under the laptop, the better.

It won't void the warranty as far as I know. You really can't harm anything by undervolting, it's worth a try. Best of all, undervolting doesn't cost you anything. Check this undervolting guide:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124420

Thanks!

 

17" notebook + W1 is a no to go. Check out my review, I tested it with a rather normal sized 17" and the whole notebook became unstable... The cooler is too short in depth, which makes it all wobbly.

 

Sweet, Gophn just told me that.

Cheers mate!

 

What would lower temperatures better, leaving the notebook kinda hanging off the side where the fans can get better ventalation, or using something like the Thermaltake iXoft?

This is going to be when I connect my laptop to a monitor and I"m going to turn off the screen and not use it.

 

When all the screws are removed will the base come off easily or some force needs to applied to pull it off?

 

Leaving the laptop hanging off the side doesn't sound like a safe idea.
The laptop does rely on the keyboard to cool off so you'll want to have a cooler that pushes a lot of air if you are going to do that. The Spire Pacific Breeze is best suited to that purpose in my opinion.

The entire base of the laptop? I doubt it will come off period . . . it's not designed to.

 

How does the Spire Pacific Breeze work? Which part goes under the notebook?

 

This will be helpful to exactly two people who happen to have this same cheap walmart printer stand, but the top is perforated, as part of the style I guess. I use it as a notebook table. Easy breathing.

Mine doesn't really get too warm anyways, but absolutely cool on that thing.

 

You can see from my pictures in the guide; basically the two rubber parts next to the fans is where the back of the laptop rests.

 

What i mean is that except for the part exposing the ram, the part that exposes the heatsinks, fans, etc. when i take out the screws should i pull it with force or slowly?

 

Just received my Spire Breeze. Am using it right now. I guess its pretty decent. I'm using it on low and feel a cool breeze blowing out from under neath. Not really that loud. For 11 bucks, its worth it.

Edit.

Hmm. It seems that when I use a standing fan and aim it at my laptop, it works just as well, if not slightly better. Right now, my hard drive is at 37 degrees w/ Spire Breeze running on high, 2 degrees higher than when I had my standing fan aimed at my laptop.

Hmm...

 

lol, so all I gotta do is get a small fan and aim it down?

 

^Thats what I have been doing the past 2 months until today. Worked fairly well. Not only does it keep my laptop decently cool, it also cools me down too!

Killing 2 birds with one stone, thats a deal.

 

And is this with the lid open aimed at the keyboard? How strong is your fan and how far away is it from the laptop?

 

The Pacific Breeze is definitely worth its price tag; great cooling on the cheap. The fan you have does a better cooling job because it's pushing a lot more air into the notebook itself (the keyboard sits right above most of the heat-producing components). The Pacific Breeze is pushing a lot of air across the bottom of the notebook.

Small tip with the Pacific Breeze - take a pencil and place it under the back behind the rubber feet - it keeps the sound down.

If you're talking about the compartments that are designed to be removed, try to wiggle them out. Do Not use a lot of force. If it feels like you're going to break something, you probably will.

 

I dont really see any difference man. LOL But I did it.

 

I'm sitting right in front of a wall and the sound from my laptop and anything I do echoes off of it - putting the pencil under the back definitely made a difference for me. If you're bored, try it.

 

Hah. Alrigh I will. The noise doesn't really bother me because I've been sitting next to a standing fan the past 2 months. Now THAT thing is loud.

Edit.

By the way, I have a question regarding the mail in rebate for the Spire. Chaz if you could help me out...

On the paper I printed out, ( this), as you can see, where it says

Mail to:
Promo No. SP07------
Spire paci---
Attn: REBATE---
15800 El---
Chino, Ca 9----

Am I really suppose to the Promo No. SP07--- on the outside of the envolope? Or do I just omit that and write the address (Spire Pac-- Attn: Re-- 158-- etc)?

I want to make sure I do everything correct so they won't find a fault and refuse to mail me back my money.

 

lol I hate it when you don't get the rebate because or something like that.

I'll let Chaz answer the question, because I don't know the answer...




lol BUT, when I was doing my monitor's rebate, they had me write the rebate/promotional number on the outside of the envelope. But they had me do it on the ATTN line.

 

I never got a mail-in rebate on my Spire . . .

At any rate, after the "Mail to:" section on the rebate, print that verbatim on the outside of the envelope.

 

^Where? At the very top line on top of everything? Beneath everything? Or should I do it like Glue Eater said and put it on the ATTN: Rebate --- line?

 

I don't have an envelope here. Usually where the envelope is supposed to go is printed in the middle.

 

Yeah it goes in the middle. What I meant was where should I write that, in the middle, on top of the address, below the address or on the ATTN. REb. line?

 

Just print what is on the rebate forum after "Mail to:" exactly as it appears.

 

^Okiedokie. Btw, if I don't get my rebate money back, then I'm taking it out of your paycheck sir.