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Cooling solutions for laptop GFX?

Posted: Wed Jan 12, 2011 7:31 pm
by Turiel
Hello,

I'm a newly registered computer novice who started visiting TR regularly since about a week or two ago, reading up on hardware reviews mostly, trying to see what new stuff are out in the market these days. Originally I wanted to gather information about getting a new desktop, but I wanted to check with you guys if there was any solution to the current problem I am having, which is the main reason I'm thinking about getting that new desktop.

I currently own a Toshiba Satellite X205 laptop with the GeForce 8600M GT in SLI, which has been proven to be defective in manufacturing. Mine was no exception and stopped working but I "fixed" it by using the oven trick. But after applying AS5, cleaning all the vents, getting a cooling pad, and even taking out a small cover at the bottom for more airflow, my graphics card is still overheating under load. The only way I can keep temperatures under control is to put a small fan (the kind you use during the summer when it's sizzling outside) behind the laptop and have air flow from underneath thru the cooling pad and into the laptop. Of course, this is extremely noisy, inefficient, and freezes all my fingers.

So, I was wondering if there was any better solution to this problem of mine. Buying this laptop was the biggest mistake I've made on a computer purchase, but since it's only been 2 years I would like to avoid getting everything new if I can. I never move the laptop from my desk, so I'm willing to try ANY creative ideas.

Re: Cooling solutions for laptop GFX?

Posted: Sun Jan 16, 2011 1:30 am
by computron9000
what sort of cooling pad did you get?

something like this has a very large silent fan (i've used one), that is underneath and powered by a USB port:

http://www.notebookcheck.net/Review-Lia ... 350.0.html

Based on the steps you've taken however, in my experience with overheating gfx on laptops you're just out of luck if you already have a fan-based cooling solution like I just mentioned. If not, that may be your only realistic option.

The fan on the lian li nc09 is silent and depending on how your laptop vents and chassis are setup, you may feel the slightest of slight cool breeze coming up from beneath the keyboard (especially with a bit of the underside of the case removed like you mentioned), but it does not move enough air to actually chill your fingers.

And yes, at $65 it is expensive, but it does work to drop temps significantly in higher-end laptops.

Lian Li Notebook Cooler Pad Model: NC-09 Black

Large 220mm 5V silent DC Fan with Blue LEDs, Large steel mesh allows extra air-flow under the notebook

The Notebook Cooler has dual USB connectors with one mini USB power connector which can accept either a notebook power source, or a Universal 5V USB Cell phone charger. In addition there is a on/off switch. The mini USB provides power to the fan and other USB connectors (Fan uses 300MA only).

The NC-09 cooler has a three level height adjustment, or alternatively the smooth base panel can conveniently be placed on a flat surface or on one’s lap. The NC-09 is perfect for High End notebooks, since Aluminum is four times more effective than steel to transfer and dissipate heat. The NC-09 has been designed for 12.1”/14”/15”/17” notebooks.

Dim: 400mm x 337mm x 34 mm (W,D,H)


Also, during gaming, remove the battery. The charging process generates extra heat and the absence of the battery will open up some extra air-space closer to the hot components.

You could try removing the battery even before anything else, fwiw. Let me know how you do... are you getting screen artifacts or what? I had a similar problem with several very expensive gaming laptops, so I don't mind offering some help since it was so hard to find someone with experience in fixing the issues.

Also, absolute worst case scenario, have you considered removing one of the GPUs or considered selling it to buy a desktop, since it never leaves your desk?

Re: Cooling solutions for laptop GFX?

Posted: Wed Jan 19, 2011 8:55 pm
by Turiel
The battery's been removed a long time ago. The cooling pad I have now was just a cheap $30 one I bought from Target or Best Buy or somewhere I forget.

I don't get screen artifacts now but I did before the GPU broke down once so if it breaks down again I probably will buy a new desktop. I just don't feel comfortable selling my HDD to someone, even with everything wiped, so I'll probably just sell the laptop piece by piece.

Thank you for the advice though and next time I decide to buy a cooling pad, I'll be sure to do more research.

Re: Cooling solutions for laptop GFX?

Posted: Thu Jan 20, 2011 1:31 am
by computron9000
it's easy to wipe your hard drive, even using NSA / CIA standards, and you don't have to physically damage it.

formatting it or "deleting" everything is not safe, but -- in simple terms -- wiping the drive with random gibberish say 7 or 14 or 21 times will prevent even advanced physical recovery methods (using microscopes or whatnot, for example). there are simple free programs that will do this for you.