- Joined
- Nov 23, 2005
I always wondered if laptop coolers really work. I got one just because I like fans. I'm a cooling freak to say the least and like moving air. Anyway I've had both the Antec cooler with my last laptop and a generic one that I have now with my current laptop. I got curious if they actually help cool the components at all so I tried a few things. Keep in mind this was with a generic cooler.
The temperatures were measured through speed fan. I wasnt interested in the actual temperature so much as I was interested in the delta difference between with and without the laptop cooler. The tests were done with the laptop in my signature.
Generic cooler specs: 34 CFM's, no metal to help absorb heat, 3/8 inch clearance from cooler to bottom of laptop, 2 squirrel cage design fans blowing directly on laptop
Temp Sensor 1= Socket temperature
Temp Sensor 2= HD temperature
Core=Core Obvisouly
Test 1: Idle sitting on bed with comforter
With Cooler:
Without Cooler:
Test 2: Under load for 30 minutes on bed with comforter
With Cooler:
Without Cooler:
Test 3: Sitting on kitchen table idle
With Cooler:
Without Cooler:
Test 4: On Kitchen table 30 minutes under load
With Cooler:
Temps were the same as with cooler
Judging by the test I dont think the laptop cooler does very much really. I think I piece of cardboard or a dinner tray would accomplish the same tasks. I thought it might do something with the first tests while it was sitting on the bed. But with the laptop cooler the laptop sits up with a 3/8 inch gap so the comforter isnt restricting the vents or insulating the HD nearly as much. I think the second test on the flat kitchen table proved this. The difference in temperatures between the first two tests and the second two tests I believe come from just the different floors in my house. The first floor is much cooler then the second.
I think the fans on the laptop coler cool the plastic on the bottom of the laptop a little but as for the actual components with the sensors I do have available it doesnt seem to really help at all. The cpu exhaust on this laptop is clear in the back under the lid so it's not easy to obstruct it.
Does anyone else have similiar experiences with this or can anyone else confirm this with other coolers? Im just wondering if it's the design of this laptop that really revent it from being able to do anything or if laptop coolers in general are just a big scam?
The temperatures were measured through speed fan. I wasnt interested in the actual temperature so much as I was interested in the delta difference between with and without the laptop cooler. The tests were done with the laptop in my signature.
Generic cooler specs: 34 CFM's, no metal to help absorb heat, 3/8 inch clearance from cooler to bottom of laptop, 2 squirrel cage design fans blowing directly on laptop
Temp Sensor 1= Socket temperature
Temp Sensor 2= HD temperature
Core=Core Obvisouly
Test 1: Idle sitting on bed with comforter
With Cooler:
- Temp1=40
- Temp2=41
- Core=48
Without Cooler:
- Temp1=40
- Temp2=41
- Core=49
Test 2: Under load for 30 minutes on bed with comforter
With Cooler:
- Temp1=40
- Temp2=41
- Core=58
Without Cooler:
- Temp1=41
- Temp2=43
- Core=59
Test 3: Sitting on kitchen table idle
With Cooler:
- Temp1=38
- Temp2=38
- Core=45
Without Cooler:
- Temp1=38
- Temp2=38
- Core=45
Test 4: On Kitchen table 30 minutes under load
With Cooler:
- Temp1=40
- Temp2=40
- Core=52
Temps were the same as with cooler
Judging by the test I dont think the laptop cooler does very much really. I think I piece of cardboard or a dinner tray would accomplish the same tasks. I thought it might do something with the first tests while it was sitting on the bed. But with the laptop cooler the laptop sits up with a 3/8 inch gap so the comforter isnt restricting the vents or insulating the HD nearly as much. I think the second test on the flat kitchen table proved this. The difference in temperatures between the first two tests and the second two tests I believe come from just the different floors in my house. The first floor is much cooler then the second.
I think the fans on the laptop coler cool the plastic on the bottom of the laptop a little but as for the actual components with the sensors I do have available it doesnt seem to really help at all. The cpu exhaust on this laptop is clear in the back under the lid so it's not easy to obstruct it.
Does anyone else have similiar experiences with this or can anyone else confirm this with other coolers? Im just wondering if it's the design of this laptop that really revent it from being able to do anything or if laptop coolers in general are just a big scam?