Guide to Cooling Down Your Notebook Computer

-Yes you have to change all of the multipliers; if you only change the top one then the voltage will only change when the processor is using that multiplier.
-Probably a glitch in the software. Lower the one you can change.
-See #1.

 

What is this ?

 

it's basically all the buzz as of recently. google about. mainly, it's nto yet a fully tickless implementation, but it's on it's way there (afaik currently it only does not tick when there is no work, but ticks whenever there is work to be done).

currently the Linux kernel has been 'ticking' every 1 second ~1000 times (for those low-latency kernels) or 100 per second, even when the system was idle - causing the cpu to not sleep and utilize it's power management. This kept my core2duo at ~40-50 degrees when browsing internet.

Now it doesn't tick when unecesary, hence it runs a lot less work - a lot more cool. I now have it running at ~20-25 degrees. Big difference.

Anyway, this is not a linux thread, nor will/do I explain this thouroughly - search the web for more information regarding the tickless/NO_HZ. NO_HZ is a kernel option.

If you run archlinux, you might check out kernel26-pierlo, from aur.

 

If you guys are willing to spend a bit more the Zalman NC-1000 cooling pad is amazing. Made of pure aluminium its always cold to the touch, and the fans are as good as inaudiable at the lowest setting (18db). It also provides an excellent support and has an extra USB port. This amazing thing lowered my harddrive temp from 39C to 33C, my GPU from 59 to 56 (idle) and 75 to 70 (load). Also the cpu temp from 63 to 58 (load)! However, unfortunatly it did nothing to the idle temp for me, because my laptop at 51C completly shuts off the CPU fan, meaning its a constant battle between fan at lowest setting and fan off. I'm gonna try getting some arctic silver on there, the ultimate situation would be the CPU fan never even having to start while browsing/etc. Also hoping for a new version of RMclock that supports the 800mhz 0,9v mode for c2d. NHC doesnt work either since the voltage controls are locked for the t7300 there. Noone knows about another program that supports both these things?

 

Check this out!

Notepal Infinite review

 

Excellent review, thank you for posting. I recommend that you contact Andrew on the forums to see if he would be interested in putting that on the front page.

 

YThanks!

yeah Niki told me to PM andrew yesterday, so i did, kust waiting for a reply atm.

 

I made a review of the Zalman ZM-NC 1000 notebook cooler! Check it out here

 

Another topic that should have "stick" status imho.

 

We have this thread hyperlinked - all you have to do is type cooling guide and a link will be created to here.

 

All the talk about cooling makes me think about noise.
What about the other side of the coin?
It would be very interesting (well, for me anyway) to find out wich are the most quiet/silent notebooks around !
???

 

There are a lot of quiet notebooks out there - the Dell Latitudes are some of the quietest. It all depends on what you're looking for.

 

Thank you very much, this helped. I forgot to remove the battery before doing it, but nothing went wrong

 

umm chaz i was wondering about water cooling in laptops. do you think somebody can do it?

 

I just cleaned out my Inspiron 9100 fans, and it is running great. The cpu temperature has gone below 60 degrees, something I can't remember it ever doing. Even with Aero on in Vista, it is much quieter than before.

And my WEI index score went up!!!!!!!!

 

heh..was at the local Radio Shack, and picked up a ThermalTake Mobile Fan II External USB desk fan. It actually works decently at cooling my m9750. for 8.99 on Amazon, might not be a bad idea for the DIY'rs or the budget minded.

 

You can also take control of the system fans. For my Inspiron I use I8kfanGUI set to load whenever I'm on AC power.

Normally my notebook's fans only run on low speed. Now I can have it set to run slow when the system starts getting warm and high when it's getting really hot. Of course you can adjust the settings to suit your needs.

Pros:
like an on demand cooling pad
multiple adjustable cooling profiles
free
no additional weight

Cons:
extra wear on case fans
extra power consumption
more noise on high fan setting

 

Damit its only for dell's... i have done everything BUT change the fan speed lol!

36C CPU 27C HDD

 

I tried speedfan first but it couldn't detect the Dell's fans. Thinkpads can use Thinkpad Fan Control. NHC is also supposed to have a fan controller built in although the bugfix/Dell version definately doesn't...

I forgot to mention that you can also lap your heatsink if you're trying to get the most cooling out of what you have.

 

''Lap your heat sink''

??? What is that?

 

Here's a pretty good article.

http://www.bigbruin.com/reviews/lappingguide/index.php?file=1

 

In regards to the Targus Chillmat, how would it work on a 17in laptop? Thanks :]

 

The procedure outlined in WarlodOne's link seems straitforward enough to lap and polish a heatsink that one might be willing to get a little damp, but what about if one wanted to lap and polish the CPU itself, as I've heard some people do. Surely modifying both the CPU and heatsink would produce better results than only one or the other. Has anyone done this, and what kind of temp reduction can one expect? On another note, how many people out there are using thermal paste on their GPUs to lower video card temps?

 

If your cpu has a heat spreader you'd get better results from just removing it vs. lapping it. Most laptop cpus are bare so they cannot be lapped.

BTW, I also have a Targus Chillmat and It just fits under a 15" notebook. 17" will just hang over the ends a bit. They also work great for cooling off the Xbox360 and fit under them perfectly, LOL.

 

Thanks for the feedback WarlordOne.

As for laptop coolers, I just purchased a Bytecc NC-820, which is pretty much just a larger Zalman NC-1000, so it should fit 17" notebooks better than than the smaller Zalman, though 17"ers will still hang over the sides about a an 1". It's available here: http://www.topmicrousa.com/bytecc-nc-820-aluminum-notebook-cooler.html

I'll let everyone know how well it works after it arrives.

 

I want to wait and see how this guy will work out.
http://legitreviews.com/article/567/1/

 

Doesn't look like it has a Fan speed controller.

 

just a bit of advice, if you have a toshiba a200 series laptop do not use a antec notebook cooler s cooling device, the design of the laptop (with the processor fan and vent under the TABqwerty section of the keyboard) makes this device somewhat useless as the air it blows doesn't cool the air going into the processor, but my ram is nice and cool.

my normal idling temps without the antec cooler, are 47-52C and under load they soar to 65-69C haven't seen a 70 yet but its only a matter of time (my thanks to Notebook Hardware Control for this information).

anyone have any suggestions for cheap reliable/effective cooling solutions for toshiba a200-style laptops? most pads seem to have the fans under the center of the laptop (the targus chill mat comes to mind)...

 

What is ur budget? If you can afford it, the NC-1000 would be a good option available right now. The NotePal by cooler masters will cool the region you are talking about ( i used to have one and my cpu is in a similar position ). But its fans are not as effective as you think they might be.

If you can wait...i don't know how long, you might want to get a Notepal Infinite! (check out the review in my sig )

 

my budget atm is nil, I need a job. But i will keep the infinite in mind. Shame that it isn't available in North America.

 

The notepal Infinite is AVAILABLE!!!!! go to the bottom of my review to see! release date 3rd Oct according to the site!

 

Nice guide!

A couple years ago, a techie at a local computer repair store told me NOT to use the cooling pad with the usb power, but use ac power. The Techie claimed it put too much stress on the notebook and would eventual crash it. I can't remember the specifics of what he said would quit working.

Any truth to this?

 

Well I have been using USB coolers for 2 years and not a single problem. I think what he meant was that if you buy a cheapie its might use too much voltage, more that your USB can do...

 

So powering a CPU, GPU, Mobo, Internal Fans, DVD Drive, Screen, Webcam, Touchpad, Wifi, Bluetooth, all sorts of LEDs, and the keyboard - all at the same time... then adding a dual fan cooling pad that runs all the time won't add too much stress on the notebook over time?

 

Well you laptop is DESIGNED to power all of above + i think 500mA (mili Amps) per USB port.....and NOTHING should exceed 500mA anyway

''stress'' on the notebook??? if you are trying to have a dig at me then feel free to do so...

A question for you. What is worst? NO cooling pad, more heat inside notebook...or cooling pad and a slight increase in currant/voltage (5V btw for most USB appliances)??? You tell me

Are you also saying that using a external USB keyboard, USB/wireless mouse, external HDD bad for your notebook as well???

 

No need to get snotty... I asked a perfectly good question!

 

hey all! i'm new here, stumbled apon this excellent thread on Google.

I think the topic has only briefly mentioned cooling solutions for larger 17" laptops. Gaming laptops in particular.

I had a quick browse on Google to look for a decent laptop cooler for my probable next laptop (Dell XPS M1730, to replace my absolutely crap fujitsu-siemens) but i haven't had any luck. The problem with the M1730 is that the cooling vents and ports are all stacked at the back of the bottom part of the laptop, as you can see in this picture:



(higher resolution here)

Does anyone know a laptop cooler that would fit under this pretty big rig?

Right now the only good solution i've found is the Thermaltake iXoft, but i'm not sure it'll last long if i use that piece of a cloth as a makeshift docking station...

 

Lol, just my luck.

Right after posting, I came across this:



The vents seem to be just about in the right place..maybe a little too far down.

Heres a comprehensive review at XtremeComputing. Apparently it works very well! This comes as no surprise as Akasa are very famous for their PC cooling solutions.

Although it says in the review that it is suitable for 15 inch and below, Amazon.co.uk claims they have a 17" version. click here to see it.

Anybody tempted enough to order one for a review?

 

How about you order it and review it?

 

lol I would but:

a) I'm engineering student (that automatically makes me skint )

b) I dont have a 17" laptop yet and my current Fugimpsu is slow, unreliable, and full of problems, but at least it keeps its cool

i just want some expert advice before i invest in something i dont quite know about...

 

I just wonder if a Core 2 Duo really needs such CPU voltage control? It seems so advanced and optimized it never heats up over 45 C, or am I wrong....?

 

It doesn't need it, no. But if you can make something run cooler, why not?

Here's an undervolting guide for the Core 2 Duo:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=124420

 

Has anyone bought & received the Bytecc NC-820 from TopMicroUSA yet?

I'm thinking of ordering a black one, to go with my Clevo D901C, and would like to know how it performs, and if TopMicroUSA is reputable, since their reviews on Resellerratings.com, have been less than stellar.

If anyone has any other recommendations for a D901C notebook, I'm listening.

TIA! ^_^

 

rsaotome--

I "pre-ordered" one of the Byteccs and although it should have shipped already, I'm still waiting for it. I think I'll give them a call tomorrow to see what the hold up is.

 

....but it is too small for 17inch laptops.It's even smaller than Notepal for 17inch!

 

That probably because it wasn't specifically designed for a 17''

 

I contacted TopMicroUSA, shortly after I read your response, to inquire as to how many were in stock, I got a reply telling me they were sold out & they would get a new shipment in, in about 2 weeks.

So I went to NewEgg today & found both the black & white models IN STOCK, with shipping, they come out to just $3-4 more than TopMicroUSA (they charge $9.99 for shipping), and since I trust NewEgg (based on several years of doing business with them), I just ended up ordering it there.

Hopefully TopMicroUSA shipped yours out, by the time you contacted them.

If not, maybe you should give NewEgg a shot.

Here's the direct link to the Black one.

BYTECC Aluminum Super Quiet Notebook Cooler Model NC-820/BK
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16834997304

Hope this information comes of some use to you, or anyone else who needs cooling for a 17 inch furnace, errr notebook. ^_^

 

My notebook temps when I bought it were
idle 34 C
and now it runs at
idle 47 C.
Do u think it is cause of the dust build up inside the notebook?
And the room temperature during the purchase was higher than what it is now.

Any other reasons?

 

TopMicroUSA was still backordered when I contacted them some time ago now. To their credit they promptly refunded me the purchase price. Looks like I'll be going the Newegg route...

 

Yup it sounds like dust build up to me

over 47C ?!?!!? thats....kind of......hot.....for a room...or anywhere in fact