Laptop Cooling

**Nosjack** · June 18, 2012, 03:17 PM

It's me again. :/

I need some advice about keeping my laptop cool, specifically I want some advice as to what kind of laptop cooler I should buy.

As of now, my laptop usually runs around 60 when browsing or other low-stress tasks, however, when playing a game etc. it gets to ~80, I've even had it break 100 degrees a couple of times. Obviously, this is way too hot.

I've done some searching and have found this. It has excellent reviews and is made for gaming laptops (although technically mine isn't one). However, at $35 it's a bit on the high side of my budget, I'd gladly buy it if I had to, but I'd like something closer to the $20-$25 range.

Any advice?

**Jaketh** · June 18, 2012, 05:48 PM

A no budget solution is the good old Nation Geographic trick, stack 2-3 magazines and place the back of the laptop on it so the rest of it sits a few inches off the ground. Rosewill also sells a cheap laptop cooler for 15 dollars.

**xcorps** · June 18, 2012, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by Nosjack

It's me again. :/

I need some advice about keeping my laptop cool, specifically I want some advice as to what kind of laptop cooler I should buy.

As of now, my laptop usually runs around 60 when browsing or other low-stress tasks, however, when playing a game etc. it gets to ~80, I've even had it break 100 degrees a couple of times. Obviously, this is way too hot.

I've done some searching and have found this. It has excellent reviews and is made for gaming laptops (although technically mine isn't one). However, at $35 it's a bit on the high side of my budget, I'd gladly buy it if I had to, but I'd like something closer to the $20-$25 range.

Any advice?

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B002NU5V4A

There is also a 3 fan model but it's 31$. I have the 3 fan model and am very happy with it. I've never had an issue with heat. The cord and USB plugin is a tad bulky, but the fan speed adjuster has a clip on it so you can route the cord. The USB plug is pass through, so you don't lose the port.

The one you linked to looks to be a winner as well, I really like the design, but not the colors.

EDIT: actually you can get the 3 fan model for 24$.

**Nosjack** · June 18, 2012, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jaketh

A no budget solution is the good old Nation Geographic trick, stack 2-3 magazines and place the back of the laptop on it so the rest of it sits a few inches off the ground. Rosewill also sells a cheap laptop cooler for 15 dollars.

I've tried elevating the laptop, while it does help, it doesn't do much (lowers the temp ~5 degrees). I browsed that Rosewill earlier today, the legs seem too long and there's only one fan, so I think I'll pass on that one.

Originally Posted by xcorps

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B002NU5V4A

There is also a 3 fan model but it's 31$. I have the 3 fan model and am very happy with it. I've never had an issue with heat. The cord and USB plugin is a tad bulky, but the fan speed adjuster has a clip on it so you can route the cord. The USB plug is pass through, so you don't lose the port.

The one you linked to looks to be a winner as well, I really like the design, but not the colors.

EDIT: actually you can get the 3 fan model for 24$.

That seems perfect, as the main problem with my laptop is that the CPU is getting too hot, which is located on the left side of the computer. The ability to move the fans would sure help out. By how much does that fan cool your laptop by?

Where did you find the 3 fan model for $24?

Thanks for the replies so far!

**xcorps** · June 18, 2012, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by Nosjack

I've tried elevating the laptop, while it does help, it doesn't do much (lowers the temp ~5 degrees). I browsed that Rosewill earlier today, the legs seem too long and there's only one fan, so I think I'll pass on that one.

That seems perfect, as the main problem with my laptop is that the CPU is getting too hot, which is located on the left side of the computer. The ability to move the fans would sure help out. By how much does that fan cool your laptop by?

Thanks for the replies so far!

On the old laptop I had it was as much as 40 degrees. (It was an ASUS G54C, with only one exhaust port on the left side. It played Crysis at max settings running about 120C, this cooler dropped that to 80) This new Malibal has much better built in cooling, it idles at close to ambient. The last time I checked, I was playing Crysis and the temp only went up about 8 degrees. I haven't checked in a long time.

Where did you find the 3 fan model for $24?

I followed that link I posted above,, checked similiar products, and looked at the cart price instead of retail. I don't remember the retailer, but I can't find it again. The cheapest I see now is 27.

Here's one from PCRUSH for 26.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/cart/view.html
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=new

And some Google shopping results for 25.

Google Cooler Master NotePal U3, click shopping, sort by price.
(The link is too long to parse)

Shipping hurts.

**StealthFox** · June 19, 2012, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by xcorps

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B002NU5V4A

There is also a 3 fan model but it's 31$. I have the 3 fan model and am very happy with it. I've never had an issue with heat. The cord and USB plugin is a tad bulky, but the fan speed adjuster has a clip on it so you can route the cord. The USB plug is pass through, so you don't lose the port.

I have this one (the 2 fan model), and it works great.

**Nosjack** · June 18, 2012, 10:39 PM

Thanks xcorps, I guess the only thing to do now is just choose one to buy.

**xcorps** · June 18, 2012, 11:43 PM

You did clean the cooling components of your system? The heat tubes, copper blades, fan, and all that?

**Nosjack** · June 18, 2012, 11:47 PM

Not yet, honestly I'm kind of hesitant to open up the case, I don't want to put it back together only to find out that it no longer works. :/

**xcorps** · June 19, 2012, 01:21 AM

It's really not that much to it. You should be able to google up a youtube tutorial on your particular laptop. It's usually just a matter of taking out some screws and taking off the cover. You can do it in 10-15 minutes, and you shouldn't have to disconnect any components. On that ASUS I had, I had to take the whole heat pipe assembly out to get to the fan, but that was only 4 screws.
It has to be done, or your laptop will die.

Do it on a table with a white towel or sheet under the laptop so you don't have to hunt for the little black screws.
Use a can of compressed air to blow the dust away from all the parts.
I like to also use a vacuum cleaner, just make sure to hold the fan so it doesn't spin.

**Bolkonsky** · June 19, 2012, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by xcorps

http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-.../dp/B002NU5V4A

There is also a 3 fan model but it's 31$. I have the 3 fan model and am very happy with it. I've never had an issue with heat. The cord and USB plugin is a tad bulky, but the fan speed adjuster has a clip on it so you can route the cord. The USB plug is pass through, so you don't lose the port.

The one you linked to looks to be a winner as well, I really like the design, but not the colors.

EDIT: actually you can get the 3 fan model for 24$.

Be careful with that, I bought it and it came in bent and broken once, the pins on the fan that hold them in place break very easily. I ended up going with this one which works fairly well:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...+laptop+cooler

Originally Posted by Jaketh

A no budget solution is the good old Nation Geographic trick, stack 2-3 magazines and place the back of the laptop on it so the rest of it sits a few inches off the ground. Rosewill also sells a cheap laptop cooler for 15 dollars.

In my case, it's half a year's worth of PC Gamer.

I've done this a million times if I've done it once. You can also use a cutting board, top of a plastic bin, etc. Anything flat and thick enough.

**Nosjack** · June 19, 2012, 08:13 AM

Thanks all!

**xcorps** · June 19, 2012, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Bolkonsky

Be careful with that, I bought it and it came in bent and broken once, the pins on the fan that hold them in place break very easily. I ended up going with this one which works fairly well:
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-...+laptop+cooler

The one I'm using now is the second one I've had. The first one got dropped from the deck of a cargo boat. The corner got bent and the fan controller wire got pulled hard enough to break the solder in the rheostat. I bent the corner back to shape with a ball peen hammer and resoldered the terminals, but I'm not very good with a soldering iron, so it never worked right. I bought the second one from the seller of the computer I have now, never had an issue with it, except that it's a bit large and won't fit into standard laptop cases. I got a backpack to deal with it.

**AqD** · June 19, 2012, 09:12 AM

Uh I just replied on a similiar thread. Well if you're going to pick a cooling pad, remember to pick one which allows you to change fan location and attach more fans. The CoolMaster model does that, although they charge A LOT for extra attachable fan.