Simple solution to drop +15C HD temp on Y580

Just thought I´d share a dead simple solution to drastically lower the HD temps of the Y580.

My HD would run at around 60C when playing Skyrim and other intensive games. When I put a cheap noname notebook cooler underneath with a 20cm fan or something like that it only dropped one or two degrees.

But by taking away the access panel on the bottom my temps now pretty much never go above 43C under full load. And that´s in a room temp of around 28C.

My GPU and CPU scores also dropped a few degrees. Obvious downside is of course the hassle and risk of forgetting it´s open and then throwing it in a bag. But if you´re like me and keep it in the same place almost all of the time it´s really a no brainer. I´m guessing a good cooler like the U3 would probably help the CPU & GPU temps to drop a bit and maybe even get the HD down a few more degrees.

So tell me what you guys think, is it worth doing for a long gaming session or maybe simply leave it like that if it´s always at the same place?

//M

 

with the access panel removed, do you still use the cooler?

 

I have a 23cm diameter fan cooler under my Y580. Removing the access panel and still putting it on the cooler gives me like near room temperature condition for my HDD. Then again, now that I've taken out my optical drive and moved the HDD to the optical bay, there's nothing left to worry about at all

 

Nice to hear Min!
I too still use my cooler, but due to small table the fan is only 3/4 in and doesn't actually blow directly on the hd.

 

Its great if it works but i am concerned about any sort of static charge buildup with a open bottom. Might not be good for the memory and the stuff that is exposed at the bottom.

What the problem is that there is no open vent below the HDD (there is one at the memory and one at the wireless. How about cutting in a small vent (i have tools in my physics labs for that) into the plastic and then use a U2 or similar adjustable fan cooler right under it. Any thoughts ?

 

how would static build up ? you're not rubbing it and generating static

there is a hard drive vent. it's just not sufficient unless you're blow directly into it.

if you do have the tools to cut, the vent shouldn't be a big hole. just small slits

 

Not sure why you would worry about static? As long as you only do it while it's on a table and not in your lap it should be fine. I've had desktop computers with lots of fans blowing huge amounts of air on them without any problems. Just imagine servers!

I to thought about Modding the cover with a dremmel and then putting some kind of mesh (is that the right word?) to cover the hole. Not sure if that would cause any problems with warranty though? Maybe possible to buy a spare one at ebay?

Please tell us if you do mod it and post some photos

 

From my experience with desktops, static charges can build up in the most unlikely places (especially when the surroundings are dry). When u are setting a open bottom against another surface (the fan below or a cooler system below) I would take very good precaution.

Yeah thought of making slits below. I am not sure if there is a vent below the HDD. There are three vents, one with the heat sink, one below the RAM and other below the transmitter module. If u can place the HDD in the optical bay and remove the optical drive. it would be a good solution. Else making some slits below and then using a U2 or U3 would be great as well.

I am looking on the web for small fans that can just stuck on the back just below the vents and then use some simple rubber feet (higher than the fan width) to keep them from touching. Depends where u use the laptop. a DIY solution sounds good !