Best way to stay cool

[Zatara214]

Aside from a cooling pad or turning your AC down, what do you guys to to keep your laptops cool? I'm pretty against underclocking modes and whatnot (power saving, efficient, or whatever you'd call it)... I assume no one has any fan control software, since even the guys over at Tech Support Forums have absolutely nothing, at least for the NP8660. I do tend to leave my laptop on overnight, and while I'm at work (just got an iPod so I don't need the laptop here anymore, but now I have to encode all my videos for the iPod lol)

So, I guess I'm going to have to submit to some form of software that will produce some sort of power saving mode.

That being said, I'd also like to be able to switch back to the regular mode easily. I know Vista has its own built in power manager, but I have no idea if it really does anything, since I really don't use any of Windows' built in features................... I've heard stories..........

Anyway, someone direct me on the right path to a cooler laptop experience :)

[Brad@XoticPC]

Hi Zatara - nice to hear about the iPod. Those do tend to be easier to take around with you everywhere than a laptop... at least you don't have the 9262. :-)

I know Speedfan and GPU-Z can control fan speed / monitor your temperatures - and I've never had any trouble with Vista's power management... other than a few people complaining that their computer is broken when their fan is always on high (not realizing that this is because they put the power management setting on "Performance." :-) If you'd rather not limit the amount of heat generated with software, the other option is to dissipate it more effectively with hardware, which basically means "laptop cooler", IMHO.

That's my two cents - anyone else?

[Zatara214]

Hi Zatara - nice to hear about the iPod. Those do tend to be easier to take around with you everywhere than a laptop... at least you don't have the 9262. :-)

I know Speedfan and GPU-Z can control fan speed / monitor your temperatures - and I've never had any trouble with Vista's power management... other than a few people complaining that their computer is broken when their fan is always on high (not realizing that this is because they put the power management setting on "Performance." :-) If you'd rather not limit the amount of heat generated with software, the other option is to dissipate it more effectively with hardware, which basically means "laptop cooler", IMHO.

That's my two cents - anyone else?

I had absolutely no idea that GPU-Z could monitor temps... probably because I've never tried lol. Speedfan will be of GREAT help. I really don't mind the noise level of the NP8660, and I'd much rather the fan always be on high than the laptop be as hot as it is. I have already set the fan to continuous mode in the BIOS, which helped a lot more than I thought it would have. I really hope speedfan works with the NP8660, I've tried other software, and most of it won't even start, never mind work properly lol...

I guess I should clarify, I would rather use software as a cooler, I would just like to be able to have the performance settings available at the push of a button... or click of a mouse... etc. I don't think Vista handles its power settings very well personally... not stability-wise or anything, thats fine, it's just that when I used to use the mobility center in my older laptop (Asus F3SA-A1), most of the settings wouldn't automatically change back with the power mode selected (IE, switching from power saver to performance, most of the settings would stay on power saver). So, I need a reliable software source is all.

I'm going to try out Speedfan when I get home and see if that does the trick.

Oh, also, the GPU tends to stay suprisingly cool when not in use, I don't think that's the issue. I have absolutely no idea what the layout in the computer is like hardware-wise, but if my guessing is correct (it's usually not, I refuse to gamble for a reason...), the hard drive is what's heating up the most.

I know that there are 3 spots on my laptop that tend to heat up. One in the back, very close to the right speaker that only heats up while gaming, which is why I think it's the GPU. One under the touchpad that heats up extracting RARs, etc, which is why I think it's the CPU. And one next to the touchpad on the right side that heats up under... well... lots of drive activity... you get the idea.

So that last spot is what heats up the most, which is why I think it's the hard drive, blah blah blah, again, you get the idea... so that's why fan control is my main priority right now, and not, for instance, GPU or CPU clocks. However, if anyone sees that my guessing is incorrect, please tell me lol.

[FNAKFHE]

I would suggest getting NZXT Cryo LX Aluminum Notebook Cooler Black with 3 Adjustable 120MM Fans and 4 Port USB Hub

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33495&vpn=ACC%2DNT%2DCRYO%2DB&manufacture=NZXT (http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33495&vpn=ACC%2DNT%2DCRYO%2DB&manufacture=NZXT)

or


if your looking for somthing slim then get Zalman ZM-NC2000B Notebook Cooler Black Aluminum Dual Fan 1100-1500RPM USB

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28727&vpn=NC2000%2DB&manufacture=ZALMAN%20TECH

[Zatara214]

I would suggest getting NZXT Cryo LX Aluminum Notebook Cooler Black with 3 Adjustable 120MM Fans and 4 Port USB Hub

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=33495&vpn=ACC%2DNT%2DCRYO%2DB&manufacture=NZXT

or


if your looking for somthing slim then get Zalman ZM-NC2000B Notebook Cooler Black Aluminum Dual Fan 1100-1500RPM USB

http://ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=28727&vpn=NC2000%2DB&manufacture=ZALMAN%20TECH

Well my laptop is usually never in one place, so a cooler would only do me good overnight, which, don't get me wrong, I may still get one just for that, considering the price on the coolers. But I need something based in the laptop to cool it for while I'm not home.

I tried out speedfan and GPU-Z. They're very useful tools for monitoring, and I'm going to be using GPU-Z to test my actual temeratures instead of just saying 'damn, thats too hot...'. However, none of them were able to detect or control the actual fan in the laptop, which, I guess I kind of didn't really expect in the first place, but was hoping for lol.

[Jahar]

I'm in the same boat Zatara (or rather was with my old laptop and probably will be in the week's time it takes to get my brand spanking new NP8660) with looking for an effective way to cool down my laptop.

I did a little reading and asking people with the MT860 and the Zalman 2000 came up as numero uno for most people but since I do a lot of travelling and like the concept of a "laptop" laptop aka can use it on multi surfaces the Notepal Infinite Cooler has rear fans (as opposed to under the cooler fans). But I have a fairly large carry case so the concept of carrying the cooler around doesn't really bother me and also I've had meh experiences with software cooling.

[Zatara214]

I'm in the same boat Zatara (or rather was with my old laptop and probably will be in the week's time it takes to get my brand spanking new NP8660) with looking for an effective way to cool down my laptop.

I did a little reading and asking people with the MT860 and the Zalman 2000 came up as numero uno for most people but since I do a lot of travelling and like the concept of a "laptop" laptop aka can use it on multi surfaces the Notepal Infinite Cooler has rear fans (as opposed to under the cooler fans). But I have a fairly large carry case so the concept of carrying the cooler around doesn't really bother me and also I've had meh experiences with software cooling.

Yeah see I can't carry the cooler around with me. So far I haven't found ANY software that works with the NP8660 that doesn't do the exact same thing as the Vista power manager (adjusting screen saver, spinning down the hard drive, maybe downclocking in 2D mode, which I did with Rivatuner already)

The screen saver is great and all but I'm trying to create less heat not use less power. I always turn the screen off when not in use anyway (fn + F2 for me)

Spinning down the hard drive isn't an option for me. If I'm, say, encoding an iPod video, or downloading something overnight, then what good does that do me? Plus, I have the laptop set to defrag and virus scan every night (which I haven't been doing since I turn it off at night now, and will until I find something to cool it off lol)

The underclocking in Rivatuner actually did help a little bit, but not by a lot. Since the video card isn't under load when not in 3D mode anyway, the underclocking didn't really do much. But I suppose it helped a little bit.

I haven't yet found anything that would underclock the CPU. Since the computer obviously isn't idle when its encoding a video, making it underclock when idle, which is the option in most software I've seen so far, is pretty useless for me. And I don't want have to go into the BIOS or anything and reboot every time I want to change to 'cool' mode, so I suppose underclocking the CPU is out of the question, unless someone has some software for that.

Which leaves me with my only option (that I can think of, anyway) as being able to control the fan, which I am not even close to finding a way to do. Keeping the fan on high all the time would probably be my most favorable way of controling the temps.

As for a cooler, like I said, I'll probably buy one for my house, and thanks for the tip on which to get, that'll be very useful, and I'll probably just end up getting that one.

[RaderCad]

Here are some tips and software you should use to lower lappy temps.

By increasing the air flow to the bottom of your lappy you will get a cooler running lappy. Trick! Try raising the back of the lappy by 1/4 inch with either rubber extensions for the lappy pads 'feet' or a couple of coasters under the pads or 'feet.' Use the coasters just to test this theory with your lappy. Make sure they don't block the fans. I have found that even a 1/4 inch will cool some lappies by over 5 degrees C. I have a 9262 and do use a cooler, however I have had good results with other lappies using the above method.

Speed fan rocks! Don't forget to run it in administrator mode or it might not find all your fans / hardware.

RM Clock is a good over/under clocking software tool. It even has a voltage adjustment to raise or lower the voltage! If you under clock the CPU you can (should be able to) reduce the voltage feeding it. It makes sense to try reducing the voltage if you lower clock speeds. Voltage times Amps = Watts and that equates to HEAT. After configuration of RM Clock it will show up in Windows Mobility Center and you can choose to use the Maximum power setting just by clicking on it for gaming. Just choose Windows Mobility Center's power saver mode prior to configuring the under clocking of RM Clock. Otherwise your maximum performance could become RM Clock power management setup as under clocked, not good, (experience talking here.)

We have a Toshiba with a AMD processor. AMD CPU's normally run hotter that the equivalent speed Intel chip. We used RM Clock and lowered the chip speed to 80% of normal and the voltage by the same percentage and the thing would run 'cool' enough in the 90 + (degrees F) ambient temperatures and high humidity without instability issues.

Another thing to watch it the hard drive temperature as most have a maximum internal operating temperature of 55 degrees C.

OK, you have now got all my heat reducing tips and tricks that can save lappies that operate in high temperatures and humidity.

[FNAKFHE]

Ahhhh

That was brillliant!

Two thumbs up!!!!

Here are some tips and software you should use to lower lappy temps.

By increasing the air flow to the bottom of your lappy you will get a cooler running lappy. Trick! Try raising the back of the lappy by 1/4 inch with either rubber extensions for the lappy pads 'feet' or a couple of coasters under the pads or 'feet.' Use the coasters just to test this theory with your lappy. Make sure they don't block the fans. I have found that even a 1/4 inch will cool some lappies by over 5 degrees C. I have a 9262 and do use a cooler, however I have had good results with other lappies using the above method.

Speed fan rocks! Don't forget to run it in administrator mode or it might not find all your fans / hardware.

RM Clock is a good over/under clocking software tool. It even has a voltage adjustment to raise or lower the voltage! If you under clock the CPU you can (should be able to) reduce the voltage feeding it. It makes sense to try reducing the voltage if you lower clock speeds. Voltage times Amps = Watts and that equates to HEAT. After configuration of RM Clock it will show up in Windows Mobility Center and you can choose to use the Maximum power setting just by clicking on it for gaming. Just choose Windows Mobility Center's power saver mode prior to configuring the under clocking of RM Clock. Otherwise your maximum performance could become RM Clock power management setup as under clocked, not good, (experience talking here.)

We have a Toshiba with a AMD processor. AMD CPU's normally run hotter that the equivalent speed Intel chip. We used RM Clock and lowered the chip speed to 80% of normal and the voltage by the same percentage and the thing would run 'cool' enough in the 90 + (degrees F) ambient temperatures and high humidity without instability issues.

Another thing to watch it the hard drive temperature as most have a maximum internal operating temperature of 55 degrees C.

OK, you have now got all my heat reducing tips and tricks that can save lappies that operate in high temperatures and humidity.

[Zatara214]

Here are some tips and software you should use to lower lappy temps.

By increasing the air flow to the bottom of your lappy you will get a cooler running lappy. Trick! Try raising the back of the lappy by 1/4 inch with either rubber extensions for the lappy pads 'feet' or a couple of coasters under the pads or 'feet.' Use the coasters just to test this theory with your lappy. Make sure they don't block the fans. I have found that even a 1/4 inch will cool some lappies by over 5 degrees C. I have a 9262 and do use a cooler, however I have had good results with other lappies using the above method.

Speed fan rocks! Don't forget to run it in administrator mode or it might not find all your fans / hardware.

RM Clock is a good over/under clocking software tool. It even has a voltage adjustment to raise or lower the voltage! If you under clock the CPU you can (should be able to) reduce the voltage feeding it. It makes sense to try reducing the voltage if you lower clock speeds. Voltage times Amps = Watts and that equates to HEAT. After configuration of RM Clock it will show up in Windows Mobility Center and you can choose to use the Maximum power setting just by clicking on it for gaming. Just choose Windows Mobility Center's power saver mode prior to configuring the under clocking of RM Clock. Otherwise your maximum performance could become RM Clock power management setup as under clocked, not good, (experience talking here.)

We have a Toshiba with a AMD processor. AMD CPU's normally run hotter that the equivalent speed Intel chip. We used RM Clock and lowered the chip speed to 80% of normal and the voltage by the same percentage and the thing would run 'cool' enough in the 90 + (degrees F) ambient temperatures and high humidity without instability issues.

Another thing to watch it the hard drive temperature as most have a maximum internal operating temperature of 55 degrees C.

OK, you have now got all my heat reducing tips and tricks that can save lappies that operate in high temperatures and humidity.

Good show good show! :laugh:

I tried Speedfan (I turned UAC off so Admin shouldn't matter, right?) and it didn't find my fans... or I'm just too stupid to find the config for it (I've used it before a long time ago, so I don't think so lol)

I never really thought to use RM Clock, good idea. I tried to use it once before in my old old OLD Dell inspiron 8600 and it didn't support the processor at the time lol... I'll try that again... What would you say is a good interval to lower voltage at? I don't need a lot, in fact barely anything at all, seeing as the CPU isnt my main problem.

Raising the feet in the back I have thought of, but I change surfaces so often that I don't think it would make that big of an impact. I'm not keeping it on a bed or anything, but the airflow in my entire room isn't terrific, and it does tend to get quite warm (though, using speedfan, I ran some tests, and there was no difference in internal temps in my room or my office, even though the room temps are like a 15 degree diff)

My main issue is still the HDD, which I can't spin down, but need to cool off. The only way I can see to so this is to up the fan, which I haven't found any way to do yet.

I'm going to do some testing with RM Clock when I get home. I've done this before several times, so don't worry about me breaking anything, I'm very experianced with OCing with everything except maybe RAM, voltage and all, so I know my limits, both up and down. Thanks!