Laptop Cooler vs. Propping Up

I've seen a lot of people especially in the Alienware section that simply prop up their laptops at the back to create space in between for better airflow.

If you do this, do you find it a superior solution than a laptop cooler? Such as the CoolerMaster U3, which is what I am planning on getting.

I cannot imagine that people who spend $1500 USD+ on a gaming laptop would be too cheap to spend an extra $30-60 on a legitimate laptop cooler.

Therefore my assumption is that those who simply use props find it a superior method of cooling the laptop.

The only reasonable conclusion is that:

1. Propping the laptop is superior to laptop cooler

2. Propping the laptop is inferior to laptop cooler

There is an additional option but outside the realm of the original problem's logical structure and that is:

- Propping the laptop and using a laptop cooler simultaneously to achieve even greater results of cooling

Let us discuss.

 

I have a CoolerMaster U2 that I have removed the fans from. I just use the stand to prop the laptop up as you said. I find the ventilation it provides is enough.

 

But would it not be better to use the fans in addition to having the stand propping up your laptop?

 

I have a pretty expensive cooler that I bought for my P150HM as well (not sure if I can list the name due to forum rules). I've found that propping up the back has equal results if not better than the using the cooler. I only keep the cooler around now to use when I'm not at my desk, so that I can keep the fans on the bottom of the laptop clear.

The cooling pad had maybe 2-4C difference while just propping up the machine for better air flow could result in up to 8C difference. The cooling on these machines is very robust and because it's internal, it has much more effect on the components than an external cooling pad ever could.

 

Yeah, elevated back proves to be a better option in many cases. I'd rather invest in improving the internal cooling (better paste, pads, extra copper, etc) + elevated back.

 

Thank you for your responses.

 

gatorade bottle caps are the way to go.

 

hahahaha, I'm using my highschool Government textbook to elevate my laptop

 

How about one of those sticky cooling pads?

Are those any good?

 

I'm rocking a pencil placed near the back to prop my laptop up. Does a pretty good job. I do like the Zalman coolers, they look very good, plus prop the laptop up more which I like when using the laptop along with an external display.

 

Zalman does look cool!

 

I'm surprised by the answer given in this thread. Propping your notebook up with a book or something else is effective, but a proper notebook cooler will always be more effective.

I have the Coolermaster U2 myself and can tell you that running it with fans on shaves off a couple of more degrees than simply propping it up will.

You will get a big effect by just propping up you notebook, but adding fans will always do a better job as it helps circulate the air that the notebook is sucking in. Some coolers do a better job than other of course.

I definitely recommend the CM U2 for 15 inch laptops as the fans are more powerful than the U3's and there's little need for three fans anyways. Also I found that directing the fans at the intakes towards the center of the notebook instead of the vent intakes for best effect. I only use the fans when I am gaming, but the stand itself is great, and makes for a better typing experience as well.

It sounds like you are using a passive cooling pad without fans.

 

I use the Cooler Master U3 and it's very handy. I did a repaste job on the CPU and GPU and tested it with and without the cooler. Was a decent 5-10*C off load depending on the games played.

 

i use two thick plastic coat hangers

 

That's how it's being used now, but it originally came with 2x 120mm fans and required a wall jack for power.

 

Bottle caps work fine for me.

 

i had notepal u3, it feels really cheap. cryo lx is the best hands down. Zalman nc 3000u is not bad. I only use the fans when gaming.

 

I have the Cryo and it's terrible. The placement for the rubber is lousy, you have to plug it into a wall jack to power it because one USB slot won't power three 120mm fans without overloading itself, the fans only operate at 5v anyway so the full potential of that pad is locked away behind several doors. You can hear the fans choke for air if you place it on the table or desk and hear them rev up when you lift it slightly. Poor design, heavy, unnecessarily sized fans that don't push enough air as is, etc.

That and my Qosmio just slides off the rubber like butter on a saucepan. If I hold it in place, the cooler does wonders, but it doesn't work half the time because I don't care to hold it in place as I play.

The U3 is lightweight, has three perfectly sized fans that can be moved around, is powered by a single USB slot and all three fans push plenty of air in small spaces so power requirements are low anyway.

 

I've bought two Cryo LXs. It is alright but suffers from the problems listed above. However I am in SoCal and NZXT's customer support have been absolutely PHENOMENAL - I'd give a 6.5/10 for the product and 10/10 for customer service.

At least I know I have peace of mind when buying NZXT products in the future. However, I am looking forward to the U3 as its replacement (can't be damned to fix my Cryo for the fourth time in two years).

 

I tried to buy a Cryo LX, but none were left at the store, so I cancelled. Ever since I've simply propped up the laptop at the back. Remember that a lot of people buy laptop coolers thinking it'll cool their laptops down, but it only will if you're aiming the fan output into an intake on the bottom of the laptop. So make sure when you buy it it matches up with your design.

Anyone know if the Zalman series match up with the Clevo P150 (Sager NP8150)?

 

I have good exp with their customer service too and it cooled my gateway fx laptop down 12C. I also owned a Qosmio never had any sliding issues I can remember. Maybe it did sometimes, but if I cant rem I dont think it was an issue.
cryo i suggest using adapters since it draws some power. It cools a bit even without switching it on.

Pommie : I have a p170hm and zalman nc3000. It give me about 5-7C cooling in load. about 3 w/o load.

 

I had the best cooler available last year (strike force 19 or something) my temps didnt even drop 1c. propping my laptop up does nothing either?

why does this work for you guys but not for me?

 

It depends on the model and specifics of its cooling system. Not every laptop will benefit from a cooler pad.

 

Some models have their intake through the bottom, some the side, some the keyboard. The computers that benefit from it are the ones that have the intake through the bottom which current Sager computers are. What kind of computer were you using the Strike Force cooler on?

 

np 8150 10char

 

Were the fan's in the Strike Force aligned with the intake port on the bottom of the laptop?

 

yea they were. I dont see how blowing luke warm air through the vents having a minimal flow after passing the grates on the bottom will lower the temps.

IMHO only way to lower temps is with better thermal paste and taking of the back cover and letting the cooler cool the unit. just imagine for a moment exactly how much air is really passing through. if you can visualize it then you will understand it is a very small amount of air actually reaching the gpu

 

I'm using Notepal U3 for M860ETU and it was useful to have 3 of them.
With P150 I don't see were to point 3-rd, because HDD closed.
So I suppose even U2 will be enough.

Werry good one series from Cooler Master.
You can use it for any notebook while rest coolers are with constant went and not effective on all notebooks.