Liquid Cooling in a Notebook

Maybe I am missing the point with this thread but I am posting here because Clevo is a notebook producer of cutting edge machines so it might be something to talk about...

I was pondering today if it is possible to build a notebook with a liquid cooling system. Until now all laptops have been using the classical fan system which requires (in the case of gaming laptops)... a lot of cooper and big fans.

Could they build a liquid cooled laptop... would the system consume to much power to cool down ? Is it even feasible?

I am just trying to explore the possibility. I will be honest to say I don't know much about liquid cooling, part of the reason I've started this thread.

 

think it would have to have the chassis 3 times the size to have enough cooling for the heat these babys kick out nowadays.

 

It probably would not work in such a small size, nor would the water cooling system survive mobile use unless it was especially expensive... Oil might work, but I bet worse than old good air.

 

I believe it was attempted by modder Ben Heck. One of his mods was a PS3 converted to a laptop and AFAIK it was fitted with custom liquid cooling, complete with radiator and pump. The chassis was custom built from the ground up to accommodate the hardware. LINK.The final mod was only 16 lbs.

The main problem with liquid cooling in portable machines is the possibility of leaking, more-so due to the fact that laptop are meant to be moved around a lot, as opposed to desktops which are usually in only one place. I'll try to find some more pics of the cooling system in the above link.

Duane

EDIT: Correction, I'm not sure if his PS3 mod has liquid cooling, but his X360 mod does. Here is the link. Page 2 and the following pages have some pictures of the actual cooling system fitted into the system. Final weight: 14 lbs. - Not much heavier than a D900C.

 

It's been done: http://blogs.zdnet.com/gadgetreviews/?p=742

 

I see, so it is doable.

 

will not work mostly for weight reason

 

So bottom line is.... it is doable, but it will not make for a more efficient cooling system.

I was hoping for a more efficient cooling system so in the future laptops could get more powerful components while keeping the weight/size the same. I guess then we will mostly have to settle for die shrinks in this regard...

I think this thread can be closed now.

 

Well, actually, it would make for a more efficient cooling system, in terms of the fact that you would get better cooling out of it than is possible with air. The problem lies more in the fact that it's somewhat impractical as a mobile system, due to a (currently fairly high) minimum mass requirement.