Sager Np 9170 - do you need to prop up the back of the laptop for better cooling?

Hey Sager users. I just ordered a NP 9170 (actually it's been a little while, it should be shipping today).

Anyway my previous laptop, an old Toshiba Satellite HAD to have its back propped up or it would shut off from over heating. I was just wondering if the Sager laptops (esp the Np9170) also need to have their backs propped up for cooling purposes. If so what do you guys use to prop it up with? Just looking for some creative responses. I used to use my old (hard shelled) glasses case.

Thanks!

 

$4 cool max chillpad works great.

 

no need to prop up the back.

 

It's not necessary but several people have mentioned that it makes the cooling more effective, so it's worth thinking about, but cooling wise the P170EM should have no problem remaining cool even without something prop'd up the back

 

If you have obstructions close behind your laptop (such as a wall) hot air will simply reflect and recirculate such that it will be sucked right back by the intakes under the laptop. Make sure the intake air and exhaust air flows are isolated as much as possible.

 

Thanks for the responses. Keep em coming. Another question - what software / program do you guys use to measure the temperature of your computer?

 

Quick inject here. it is always preferable to raise the back of a laptop a bit for cooling. You will be amazed at how much this can make a difference. In fact this can even help reduce the need for a cooling stand.

I personally use the CM-19 Stealth cooling stands, I have one at home and my lake front perma setup and one boxed for travel. The difference on all my laptops has been huge, and it is a big deal for your battery as heat is its biggest enemy.

Cooling stands are not needed but I personal recommend them for gaming laptops.

 

Just make sure there's nothing blocking the vents, propping up the back of the laptop isn't necessary.

 

It's a good idea to have a notebook cooler as it will increase air flow and therefore cool down your system better, but it is not a absolutely needed.

 

In testing on my friends NP9170 which has the 7970m by using 4 bottle caps to raise the laptop, we have found the following under load (all settings maxed)...

GPU temps
BF3
Flat: 89c
Raised:84c

Diablo3
Flat: 86c
Raised: 82c

Now on idle it made literally zero difference. It ran at almost identical temps. Only when it was under load did it seem to have any difference. The temp in the room was 74f at the time.

We are going to have my other friend who has the 9150 to test this weekend. It will be a week or so before I get mine it. However even on my W860CU I get generally 3-5c difference under load by raising.

 

Thanks for doing those tests! Sounds like bottle caps might be a good and cheap way to go. What program did you use to check temperature?

 

I use coins of local currency and stack them on the rear. Definitely makes a difference under load. At idle very little if any difference.

 

Would this model benefit from a cooling stand? Just wondering, as I am in the market for one of these (or the 15" model, I haven't decided yet)...

 

Do you mean cooler or stand? They are two very different things.

I don't think it would benefit as much from a stand, most of the ones I searched all cover the bottom of the laptop fully so it would be no better than setting it on a flat table surface.

These laptops may benefit a bit more from a laptop cooler, but as others have mentioned, just placing the something just under the back end, without blocking the air intake vents, helps improve the overall cooling efficiency of these laptops.