Run NP8170 with lid closed - heat or other issues?

I'm considering buying a monitor and mounting it to the wall where I use my laptop 80% of the time instead of investing in a different screen for my laptop. And then my laptop would be closed, sitting on an open shelf.

Would there be any issues with this as far as heat? Anything else to consider?

I was going to make a tab to use to turn on the laptop while closed, although I don't expect to have to turn it on and off very often.

My other concern is losing the ability to turn my fans on full with the "Fn+1" combo. Unless there's a way to capture that code and run a macro or something with a shortcut that would execute the same command?

 

I think the "Fn+1" combo still works with the notebook lid closed, but i guess you are looking for a way to enable the fan mode with a external keyboard?

 

These machines do actually have some airflow through the keyboard, so your machine will run warmer if you run it with the lid closed. It is possible that could lead to issues if it starts running to hot. Unfortunately, they just aren't designed to run for long periods with that lid closed. You might look into turning the laptop monitor off when you connect it to the external so you can keep the lid open without the screen being on.

 

I have a setup like this in my bedroom. A wall-mounted 19" screen that I swing either over my bed or back flush against the wall. Instead of having a TV in the bedroom, I can watch Netflix or play games. I've been using an old HP zd8000 (only old games with it's Radeon x600 256mb!) -- now I've just finished installing Win7 and drivers on my new NP8170 and plan to put it there with lid-closed-gaming.

I frankly don't care it runs a bit warmer. As long as it's not causing problems. Anyway, I'll post some temps later. I'll run my test with lid open, with lid closed + external monitor, and finally with lid closed + external monitor AND cooling pad.

I'm also running on standard thermal paste right now, but I bought a tube of IC-Diamond. I wanted to see temps before and after changing the paste.

Concerning the power button... on my zd8000 I used WinXP's standby mode and simply lifted the lid enough to wake the computer and immediately shut the lid again. On occasion I would fully shut down and have to fully open the lid and push the power button. That's not TOO bad. But I'm interested to see what you cook up for a "tab" (I'm not familiar with this concept yet!)

 

My problem is that the shelf will only be about 12" high with a shelf above it, so can't quite open my laptop. I guess I could open it as far as it will go just to allow for airflow, or better yet maybe get a laptop cooler since it will be sitting there a lot. But if it needs airflow from the top then probably not as good. But it won't be open enough to access the keyboard keys.

For the "tab" I will just rig something up, but if I have to leave the lid open a little bit anyhow, I won't bother. It will only be on occasion anyhow.

As far as the screen being off, then I'd need to access my Fn+F2 keys. Although I did find a little app that will turn off the LCD, but turns back on with any keypress. I'll have to see what the nvidia control panel offers there too.

@AnakiMana, temp differences between open and closed would be good. I'm not set up for it yet otherwise I'd do it just to see. Maybe I will just to find out.

 

I use my 8150 with an external monitor, but with the lid opened and the laptop screen turned off.

For me, dust is a greater concern, but I clean the machine regularly, so it's not a problem. I figured it is no different than using the laptop without an external monitor anyway.

With regards to heat, what Brett said.

 

So is there any way to get the scan codes for "Fn+1"? (looking at you Brett. )

 

Wow really? I didn't know that....I kept the lid closed about 95% of the time in order to protect the keyboard and the screen.

But then again I have a cooler underneath it, that is off because it sucks air out of the bottom of the laptop. It has a perforated aluminum area upon which I rest the vents so that the heat is dissipated easier.

Do you think I should still keep the laptop lid open?

Mr. Mysterious

 

If you can possibly find space, I suggest running with the lid open and actually running dual screens. I have been using laptops this way for years and I love using the laptop screen as a secondary display. It is great for things like leaving my calendar open for quick access / reference while having the main screen free for regular work. This sort of arrangement is also great for things like photoshop as you can put the tool pallet on the secondary screen and reserve the main screen for the full image you are editing.

Ira

 

Not a possibility. My whole reason for doing this is to free up space. I use it on my kitchen counter, believe it or not, 80% of the time. Just best place to keep eyes on kids, etc, central location. And want the machine up and out of the way, and monitor on the wall to keep it off the counter. My kitchen is actually pretty big, so it's not like right next to the sink or anything (lol), but still would be nice to make it more "clean".

 

i'd be more worried about the screen having issues over time using the lappy with the laptop closed all the time. i think the heat would distort the screen over a period of time. i think it's best to use it with it open. you don't have to open all the way. just enough for air flow through, keep most dust from accumulating on the screen, and just find something to lay over the keyboard for dust.

 

I doubt heat would warp the screen, the keyboard and surface around the keyboard is remarkably cool. I may just pop it open a little bit though for cooling. In any case there's still a gap between the screen and keyboard, so air can still flow.

 

I have just finished testing CPU temps using Prime95 with both lid CLOSED and lid OPEN. You can see my results in this thread. If you don't care to read the thread... I'll summarize... it made no real difference.

That said, I haven't pushed the video card, only the CPU. I will post an update after stress testing the GPU with lid open and closed.

 

Ok, another update. I just finished running 3DMARK Vantage.

Lid open:
CPUID Hardware monitor showed idle temp of 45c, and recorded a max of 78c during the benchmark.

Lid closed: Idle before test was 47c. Max recorded temp during benchmark was 81c.

While hot air was pumping out the rear vents, no heat or airflow could be detected above the keyboard. If it acts as a vent, it must be intake and very small at that, since I couldn't detect anything as hard as I tried to.

So, according to my tests it makes no difference, or at least no significant difference, as to whether the lid is open or closed.

 

Thanks for that +1.

Yeah, I'm sure as the fans pull air in, some is coming from the keyboard, but definitely very minimal. Even with the lid closed there is a small gap to pull in air, it's not vacuumed sealed. I also bought some "cool balls" to prop my machine up and that seems to help temps in general.
I'm sure as long as the bottom is unobstructed that will have the biggest benefit for cooling.

 

Always ran my laptops with lid closed with an external monitor. Been doing that for years and with plenty of models. Never had an issue.

If a laptop heat dissipation or operation depends on it having the lid open or close, that laptop has a serious design issue.

 

UPDATE:

After replacing the standard factory applied thermal compound with IC7, my idle temp went down from 47c to 45c, and my max temp during benchmark decreased from 81c to 76c.