I need opinions about removing the backplate

I have beening using my P151EM to run the dolphin emulator which brings my CPU (i7-3610QM) temperatures to around mid 60s°C. The temperatures are certainly nothing to be alarmed about. However decided to take off the backplate while running the dolphin emulator and the temperature made a significant dropped to around mid 50s°C. Now I have read that the backplate is supposed to help direct the air flow and by removing it, can possibly cause the temperature to increase (obviously not in my case).

While I don't mind the CPU hovering around mid 60s°C, but having it around 50°C is certainly more comforting and the fans seem to be a bit more quiet. However I'm wondering if anyone can telll me of any drawbacks for using the computer with the backplate off? Will I get much more dust accumulation? I am a bit worried about the pressure from the computer now directly being applied to my copper vents since I'm propping my computer with books at an angle, will resting my heat sink vents on the books causes any damages?

 

Don't do it. Nothing wrong with the back cover.

Mid 60s for CPU, why would you want to do anything more for that?

Backcover on with no laptop cooler. 73F ambient.

Spoiler

 

you have nothing to be alarmed by until you pass 90C

 

I agree with everyone above. Leave your back cover on. 60C is NOTHING to worry about.

 

Thanks for the inputs. I understand that mid 60s is nothing, but for some reason, seeing that the temperature can go lower made me wonder if it's a good a idea to have the back cover off. Are there benefits from being able to run the CPU as cool as possible?

I welcome more opinions from anyone who can shed more light on the PROs and CONs on having the back cover on versus off.

 

he didn't ask for your guys opinion, he asked if there were drawbacks.

probably going to mess up your thermal paste job. the extra pressure while heating up will spread it out more, then could created bubbles after the pressure is taken off. Those heatsinks get pretty hot, doubt they become hot enough to be malleable, but if they do the pressure may warp them.

Probably will be more dust as it will be easier for it to enter the system..

I've seen people say that those back plates are designed to slightly limit the air flow directly to the fans so that they pull air from the farther vents to draw air across the passively cooled components, and while I don't doubt that, I do doubt that removing the backplate is going to cause heat issues for those other components.

edit: benefit for running CPU at a cooler temp could be a longer life, but since it's running in it's designed temp range, I don't know that those 10C are going to make a difference on it's usable life..

edit 2: now he kinda asked for opinions lol

 

Why is your back cover putting pressure? That doesn't sound right.

 

I don't think the backplate is.. He has that off. He has the back of the laptop propped up with a book, and since there's no backplate, the book is directly on the heatsinks..

 

Huh, I wouldn't want to do that. Seems risky of breaking the core, does he know the core is naked? No heatspreader on it.

 

good point, didn't think about that. Especially if he's typing on the laptop keyboard while it's propped..

He does say on heatsink vents in the OP. Perhaps it's just on the plastic vents in the chassis..?

 

Thinking the same... still waiting for OP to answer

 

He specifically said the "heatsink vents", so that sounds like it's resting on the copper vents, to me.

I wouldn't do that, especially when going from 60 to 50 means absolutely nothing.

 

Yes, I was referring to the copper vents where the fans blow into. My computer is propped at an angle, the backside is raised higher than the front-side and the copper vents are resting on books since the back cover is removed. Only the copper vents and the front part of the computer are making contact against the books.

It doesn't seem like a lot of pressure is being put on the copper vents. However I don't know how much pressure can the vents take without having any adverse effects on other components. Thanks hizzaah for the warnings of possible harms that I may be doing to my computer.

 

If you're resting it on the copper vent it could be levering up at the other end over the cpu and gpu. Doesn't really seem like the best idea.

 

have 911 on speed dial for potential fire hazard