The W
February 23, 2017 - mayflower.jpg
Views: 178587705
Main | FAQ | Search: Y! / G | Calendar | Color chart | Log in for more!
19.3.24 0120
The W - Internet & Computers - Any good laptop chill mats out there that actually work?
This thread has 80 referrals leading to it
Register and log in to post!
Thread rated: 6.29
Pages: 1
(514 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
User
Post (15 total)
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1666 days
Last activity: 1666 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
I have a Targus chill mat on my two year old Alienware gaming laptop and in the last few months, my laptop will shut down from excessive heat. I've had the chill mat since day one and never had problems until now.

I have my girlfriend's digital aquarium thermometer between the laptop and chill pad and I will get temps of 140 when it shuts down.

Can anyone suggest some pads that actually cool down the laptop or some setting suggestions to help keep the heat down? Of course it shuts down the most when I'm gaming, so this is mildly annoying. I'm thinking of upgrading to this one , or this one , unless someone has a better suggestion.

Thanks!



"I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do. I enjoy the company of prostitutes because it's a fun thing to do. If you combine the two together, it's probably even more fun." -- Representative Robert Wexler (D - FL)

Promote this thread!
Lise
Mrs. Guru








Since: 11.12.01

Since last post: 3081 days
Last activity: 2854 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 9.00
Sadly your links don't seem to be working.

I too would like to know what people have had work or not work. I'm using a Targus lap-desk thing with an upside down metal storage lid underneath to give it more venting room. I don't have trouble with overheating, the MacBook just gets warmer than is comfortable to have against my legs.
Mr. Boffo
Scrapple








Since: 24.3.02
From: Oshkosh, WI

Since last post: 3886 days
Last activity: 3847 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.12
Links work for me. The ones he is thinking about upgrading to are called the Antec NoteBook Cooler, and the CompUSA Executive Notebook Cooling System.
Jericholic53
Boerewors








Since: 18.3.03
From: Honolulu, HI

Since last post: 1888 days
Last activity: 1302 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.33
I've had an Antec laptop cooler for about 3 years and it works great for me. It's powered by USB, but it has an attachment on the back of that plug, to insert another USB device so that you don't lose a port. (It also has a plug for AC power if necessary.) What's also nice about the Antec platform is that it raises your laptop off the table, which also helps with the cooling process. Stability is great as I haven't noticed any wobbling or shaking while using my 17" Powerbook on it. And I haven't seen any noticeable slow down from having it on all the time. (Or rather, it turns on when the computer does, and off when the computer does.) Also, while the Antec only has 2 fans and the other cooler 3, all of the dots on the surface of the Antec disperse the air, which gives it greater cooling surface coverage, and overall better cooling IMHO. Hope this helps.



it says so right here in the wcw handbook!
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1666 days
Last activity: 1666 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
Yeah, that was one that I was looking at. I picked it up today and it works great. It has a power light which is awesome because the one thing I hated about the Targus one was that I never knew if the fans were running unless I lifted up my laptop and felt for the moving air.

I rarely have been able to be on my laptop for more than a half hour, and now it's been up and running for two and a half hours.

Thanks for the help. If anyone else wants one, you can get it here (The W at Amazon)



"I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do. I enjoy the company of prostitutes because it's a fun thing to do. If you combine the two together, it's probably even more fun." -- Representative Robert Wexler (D - FL)

Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 4 days
Last activity: 3 days
ICQ:  
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
Zeruel wanted to post an update here, so I thought I would post my solution. When I've been really worried about this, I used the Targus mat that I have along with a buckwheat pillow underneath. It seemed to work pretty well.



Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me.
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1666 days
Last activity: 1666 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
Well, I spoke too soon.

On Wednesday, the 9th, my laptop shutdown after 30 mins of use. I decided to wedge the Targus pad between the new one and the laptop towards the rear. I had it so the exhaust from the Targus would blow across the bottom of the laptop book. No dice. It bought me an extra 30 mins.

Fed up, I searched the alienware.com support forums and there are many, many, upset laptop owners with overheating/shutdown problems.

After wading through two years of messages on the subject, Alienware's advice was to blow compressed air in the fans (already did that), make sure it's on a flat surface with the fans unobstructed (already did that), and finally to call for support.

Someone did call for support and after trying many things, they sent a tech. He watched the tech and noticed that when he took the fan/sink off the CPU it was charred. No thermal grease on it, and his laptop was about as old as mine. Some people reported this problem after 3 months of average 9-5 work use.

Alienware's solution for most of the people was mail it back (at your expense if your warranty is lapsed) and wait 14 business days for a reply. About a third of the complaints were that when they eventually got their laptop back, there was a note "Issue could not be duplicated" and they were out about $60 for shipping plus lost productivity.

I pull the panel off the bottom, remove the fan/sink and lo and behold, no grease.

I bought a tube of Arctic Silver 5 from Radio Shack and problem solved. It's running at about 45C under a heavy load and with the Antec pad, the internal fans barely come on. They mostly do when f@h is on and I'm trying to do something graphic intensive.

My games run at 60+ FPS and not 6 like they were doing last week (on a P4 3.2GHz with 1 GB of ram), the computer has been on for 3 days and churned out some WUs for f&h (finally) and all is well.

Long story short: if you do buy Alienware, hope the Dell has improved their tech support, or else make sure you grease your CPU.



"I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do. I enjoy the company of prostitutes because it's a fun thing to do. If you combine the two together, it's probably even more fun."
-- Representative Robert Wexler (D - FL)

CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3563 days
Last activity: 2800 days
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.53
hrm ok... sorry for being unknowledgeable on this, but Im getting an Alienware...

where do you put the grease exactly?



"...He eats what he wants, and if he wants to eat Rey Mysterio- he will!" -JBL on Mark Henry
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1666 days
Last activity: 1666 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
    Originally posted by WhoTookMyHonor?
    hrm ok... sorry for being unknowledgeable on this, but Im getting an Alienware...

    where do you put the grease exactly?


You void your warranty by taking off the metal plate on the bottom of the laptop.

On my model, I had to remove the video card so I could remove the cpu fan/heat sink. You apply a grain of rice sized dollop of thermal grease on the cpu. Take the heat sink and slowly spread it around to coat most of the chip.

Carefully put it all back together.

I am very one unsatisfied Alienware customer. Hopefully their laptops are made better since Dell bought them.

Edit: At least my battery hasn't caught fire, unlike Dell's batterys.

Double Edit: No matter what laptop brand you get, make sure it's equipped with a MOBILE specific CPU. I basically have a desktop CPU in my system. The mobile ones are designed to run with less heat.



(edited by Zeruel on 16.8.06 0002)



"I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do. I enjoy the company of prostitutes because it's a fun thing to do. If you combine the two together, it's probably even more fun."
-- Representative Robert Wexler (D - FL)

bash91
Merguez








Since: 2.1.02
From: Bossier City, LA

Since last post: 4233 days
Last activity: 2091 days
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.07
    Originally posted by Zeruel
    Double Edit: No matter what laptop brand you get, make sure it's equipped with a MOBILE specific CPU. I basically have a desktop CPU in my system. The mobile ones are designed to run with less heat.


It really depends on the brand. My XPS, with good battery and running a 3.4GHz desktop CPU, runs at about the same temperature as our old Thinkpad. I do use a lap desk, but that has more to do with the weight of the XPS than any temperature issues.

Tim



Vocatus atque non vocatus, Deus aderit. -- Erasmus

All others things being equal, the simplest solution is usually stupidity. -- Darwin Minor
CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3563 days
Last activity: 2800 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.53
Breaking News!
    Originally posted by Zeruel
      Originally posted by WhoTookMyHonor?
      hrm ok... sorry for being unknowledgeable on this, but Im getting an Alienware...

      where do you put the grease exactly?


    You void your warranty by taking off the metal plate on the bottom of the laptop.

    On my model, I had to remove the video card so I could remove the cpu fan/heat sink. You apply a grain of rice sized dollop of thermal grease on the cpu. Take the heat sink and slowly spread it around to coat most of the chip.

    Carefully put it all back together.

    I am very one unsatisfied Alienware customer. Hopefully their laptops are made better since Dell bought them.

    Edit: At least my battery hasn't caught fire, unlike Dell's batterys.

    Double Edit: No matter what laptop brand you get, make sure it's equipped with a MOBILE specific CPU. I basically have a desktop CPU in my system. The mobile ones are designed to run with less heat.



    (edited by Zeruel on 16.8.06 0002)


hrm... intuhresting

you seem to know more about technical specs than me (who here doesnt)...is there any way of telling if I would have serious heating problems or issues otherwise with THIS?

EDIT: Fixed Grammar (ironical?)

(edited by WhoTookMyHonor? on 16.8.06 1856)


"...He eats what he wants, and if he wants to eat Rey Mysterio- he will!" -JBL on Mark Henry
Merc
Potato korv








Since: 3.1.02
From: Brisbane, Australia

Since last post: 4723 days
Last activity: 4702 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.95
The laptop has an AMD Turon processor
http://www.amd.com/us-en/Processors/ProductInformation/0,,30_118_12651,00.html
The Turon is their mobile processor - specifically designed for laptops etc. In theory, it's less likely to overheat. In practical application who knows?
Zeruel
Thirty Millionth Hit
Moderator








Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1666 days
Last activity: 1666 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
I searched their support forums, and I didn't read anything about any M9700 laptop users having overheating issues.

They have had problems with their built-in camera.

http://support.alienware.com/Forum_Pages/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=536251

    Originally posted by Digital Karma
    M9700 1.3 MP Camera not detected
    Posted: 08-03-2006 10:34 AM
    I just got my m9700 like not even 3 weeks ago, and everything was fine, until I figured I wanted to try out the camera on the top the lcd screen. But the laptop doesnt even detect a camera.

    I called Technical service number late evening, and we went through reinstall drivers and checks and still no camera detection. Then he told me to hold to transfer me to the "next level" of assistance. And then the hold turned out to be a hang up.

    What do I do? I'm just scared I'll have to send it back in for repairs and not have my system for like 2-3 weeks.



The solution.

    Originally posted by AW-WARNER
    Re: M9700 1.3 MP Camera not detected
    Posted: 08-03-2006 01:22 PM
    Try Fn+F4, wait for a few secs, that will enable the camera. You'll be able to see it in My Computer, and also in Device Manager under Imaging Devices. But if not, we might have to take the system in.





Other than this small hiccup, it looks like a great buy.

(edited by Zeruel on 17.8.06 0639)


"I enjoy cocaine because it's a fun thing to do. I enjoy the company of prostitutes because it's a fun thing to do. If you combine the two together, it's probably even more fun."
-- Representative Robert Wexler (D - FL)

El Nastio
Banger








Since: 14.1.02
From: Ottawa Ontario, by way of Walkerton

Since last post: 34 days
Last activity: 19 days
ICQ:  
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.95
Zeruel, the notebook you have was made before Dell bought Alienware. At around that time, it was quite common for computer makers to place desktop processors inside of their notebooks. So far as I know, Alienware is continuing their own way. They are just using Dell's buying power to buy their parts at a better price.



To celebrate the passing of the Troll Amnesty (and for otherwise no reason at all), I present to you the very best of Trolling here on The W. This Troll Moment of the Week is brought to you by;

"aftershock14520" , who brought us such pieces as wisdom as: "I'm not in the position to defend this topic really, you know obviously, but it takes only common sense to realize that "hey... if world trade center 7 was imploded, and the twin towers looked like they were, maybe they were?" and you can get all the facts in the world to prove that wrong, but there is just so much more facts to just prove it right. Pwnd."

Guru Zim: "Did you just turn to "pwned" as a method of argument?"



Click Here (The W) to read the rest of it!

BXVI
CHAPLOW
Morcilla








Since: 14.5.04
From: right behind you

Since last post: 3563 days
Last activity: 2800 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 1.53
Breaking News!



Nice. tyvm Zeruel... Im a lot surerer-er about buying that laptop now.



"...He eats what he wants, and if he wants to eat Rey Mysterio- he will!" -JBL on Mark Henry
Thread rated: 6.29
Pages: 1
Thread ahead: High speed Internet connection outdoors?
Next thread: Trimming a DVD
Previous thread: SONY: Blu-Ray Starts Shipping Today
(514 newer) Next thread | Previous thread
Interpretation of the file extension is on the client side and should generally be case insensitive. Bear in mind that file extensions go all the way back to the DOS days and that DOS was an entirely case-insensitive operating system.
- tarnish, mp3 question (2009)
The W - Internet & Computers - Any good laptop chill mats out there that actually work?Register and log in to post!

The W™ message board

ZimBoard
©2001-2024 Brothers Zim

This old hunk of junk rendered your page in 0.157 seconds.