Laptop coolers

[duskw4lker]

Starting this topic to discuss their effectiveness and or review laptop cooling bases/blowers/extractors/etc.

Some claim that these products are snake oil, others swear that these devices shaved off a couple of degrees, while others acknowledge that they might help a little but mostly you get the false impression of lower temps because the fans blow directly over the temperature sensors on your laptop mobo.

what do you think, do they work?

I'll start with the one I've been using since 2019

Coolermaster Ergostand III

To be completely honest I noticed that it helps lower the max temps on my Omen 15 2019 by around 2-4 degrees, but still under certain conditions, like playing Cyberbug 2077 which squeezes as much CPU and GPU power, there was no real difference between having it on or off. The laptop would melt anyway.

The good:

• The front plate can be removed, that allows to easily clean any dust that gets in the mesh
• The mesh itself catches quite a lot of dust, the bigger dust bunnies, the only thing that passes through is that kind of really fine dust that sticks like a coating - just yesterday was cleaning the fans of my laptop and noticed only this kind of sticky grime and nothing else clogging the fans or exhausts
• The 6 positions allow me to have the screen of my laptop comfortably in front of my eyes

The bad:

The little PCB that controls the fan speed died after a year and a half of use, first the white LED started flickering, then the speed knob, in the end I had to bypass it all and connect the cooler directly (it has a dedicated 5v USB port for the fan, besides the USB hub for data and energy) to an external charger.

 

 

[Katja]

I've been using this dingaling for a few days and it seems to keep temps moderated under load and reduce fan noise on top of it; no complaints.

Also, like two minutes ago, I just found out this thing has a freaking phone stand. Well, that'll be useful for Twitch. I'm actually amused.

[Maxware79]

In my opinion, a lot of the time they just help with some extra airflow under the laptop but a couple of post-it pads will do the same thing. Unless you remove the bottom panel of the laptop then you're never really going to get the full potential of a fan(s) blowing air up from underneath. If you're getting a 2-4 deg reduction then it is still better than nothing. 

Most laptops also have their heatsink exhaust fans trying to push the hot air out the bottom of the chassis and most laptop coolers are trying to push air into these same vents. It seems counterproductive. Having the cooler set up as an exhaust almost seems like a better option. 

Saying this, I still have my Coolermaster SF-19 V2 under my M18x as it was the only one big enough for the 18" laptop. The exhaust fans push the air out of grill at the rear of the chassis rather than down so that probably helps. I've never done any thermal testing in the 10 years of owning the laptop though. The laptop sits up on the rubber pieces so it gives a few extra mm of clearance for airflow.

[electrosoft]

I've been using the Cooler Master NotePal U3 PLUS for 5+ years now. It fits every laptop even up to the P870 and Alienware 18. I like the adjustable fans and it is fairly light weight.

[serpro69]

Been using Cooler Master NotePal U2 and U3 for years. I like the simplicity and lightweight design, usually take U2 with me when I travel. It also has adjustable fans by default, which is nice, and a big potential for possible customizations/upgrades. Haven't done any measurements though, and with stock fans it probably doesn't do much in any case, apart from elevating the laptop a bit from the surface.

There was a thread on NBR about modding the U3 PLUS version (link to archive.org if anyone's interested). Plan to do something similar myself soon.

[seanwee]

The best cooling pad is a custom cooling pad.

2x Arctic P14 with voltage booster @ 13.6v

Drops temps by an additional 10C compared to just lifting up the back of the laptop.

[solidus1983]

On 2/7/2022 at 11:13 PM, Katja said:

I've been using this dingaling for a few days and it seems to keep temps moderated under load and reduce fan noise on top of it; no complaints.

Also, like two minutes ago, I just found out this thing has a freaking phone stand. Well, that'll be useful for Twitch. I'm actually amused.

I got that one for christmas lol however with the X170KM i can't use the mobile holder lol.

Only using it for benchmarking right now though so its back in box, still waiting on my new metal Laptop cooler but my friend is busy right now so not bothering him.

[Azther]

I use the Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB cooler for my m18x r2. Personally i find the fans to do little in aiding temps so i resorted to putting 4 self adhesive rubber doorstops on each corner upside down to act as standoffs for the m18x.

heres a link for them: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adhesive-Furniture-Slamming-Stainless-Dampening/dp/B07FZJJ7YG?pd_rd_w=iHfuu&pf_rd_p=b877196e-affe-4d6f-8520-cd98dbb83300&pf_rd_r=62QFTJ1WRH8CW8DSVTFN&pd_rd_r=fb1d64aa-402d-4c42-aa43-160fe92873a3&pd_rd_wg=ndibK&pd_rd_i=B07FZJJ7YG&psc=1&ref_=pd_bap_d_rp_1_i

the laptop cooler: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Thermaltake-CL-N014-PL20SW-Massive-Notebook-Cooler/dp/B077974X66/ref=sr_1_3?crid=3T0I1HWMN1F0Z&keywords=thermaltake+massive+20+rgb+notebook+cooler&qid=1644628991&sprefix=thermaltake+massiv%2Caps%2C108&sr=8-3

and the end result:

 

 

Edited February 12, 2022 by Azther
added link for cooler

[K4sum1]

It kinda depends on the size of the laptop, where the cooler's fans are, and where the laptop fans are. On most laptops, I foresee little to no improvement with these coolers. The best that could happen is the coolers that lift the laptop up can aid in expelling heat up and away from the laptop. Other than that, unless a fan is close or directly under a vent where it can help, not much would happen.

 

[seanwee]

Personally I find that the best laptop cooling pads you can buy are cooling pads with 2x140mm fans. Then, just remove the mesh which blocks 80% of the airflow and you'll start seeing a more significant temperature improvement.

[Samir]

I have a few of these that I got for cheap used and in certain situations they do work well.  But only if the fan is cranked to 100%.

 

I think the better thing is to understand where the air intake and exhaust are on your laptop and use a small fan to direct air there.  Most of the time this is underneath, but I notice that on my HPs, there is a good amount of air being sucked in via the keyboard on the left hand side, so keeping the lid open (or at least open a crack) is important.

[User]

I use simple 3D printed plastic stands to raise the laptop about 2" off the desk. Almost free, no noise, incredibly small and light, prints in 2-3 hours. I was given an Amazon generic laptop stand with fans and RGB, etc but honestly it's loud, gaudy, and intriduces more clutter to my desk. The 3D printed stands are invisible under the laptop.

[seanwee]

11 hours ago, User said:

I use simple 3D printed plastic stands to raise the laptop about 2" off the desk. Almost free, no noise, incredibly small and light, prints in 2-3 hours. I was given an Amazon generic laptop stand with fans and RGB, etc but honestly it's loud, gaudy, and intriduces more clutter to my desk. The 3D printed stands are invisible under the laptop.

I'd be afraid of the laptop sliding off with that setup. Assuming that doesn't happen, it looks like it might slide around the table

[aldarxt]

1 hour ago, seanwee said:

I'd be afraid of the laptop sliding off with that setup. Assuming that doesn't happen, it looks like it might slide around the table

Looks like it needs rubber shoes

[User]

Been on these stands about a year. That picture is a generic from Thingiverse, my Clevo laptop has rubber feet that stop it from sliding. 

[electrosoft]

For on the go rear laptop elevation I keep a set of these in my bag:

 

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B08FDDWHMF/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[RyleyI]

I've tried several cooling pads with my Alienware M17R4. The one I've stuck with is the KLIM Wind (4, quiet, adjustable speed fans). The 2 rear fans of the pad, line up with bottom intake fans of my laptop. I only notice a few degrees improvement in cooling, but the laptops fans seem to run less often, and at a slower RPM.

[duskw4lker]

I've been tempted in the past to buy this .. thing 🤣 that claims to cool down your lappy beyond recognition with its dual blowers and hermetically sealed chamber of absolute freezing madness. The reviews seem positive enough though. but what concerns me is some kind of myth? or misinformation? around this kind of cooler that uses blowers instead of a regular fan, and that supposed problem would be damaging your laptop's own fans because of spinning way too fast beyond the intended max speed due to the volume and pressure of air inside that sealed chamber (4500 rpms at max speed from those blowers according to the manufacturer)

 

any thoughts?

 

https://www.amazon.com/IETS-Cooling-Flexible-Colorful-Adjustable/dp/B07WVK2ZZ9

 

[qadhi79]

I was using Cooler Master NotePal U3 PLUS for several years

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ED3WMTC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Recently changed to

 

Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Steel Mesh Panel Single 200mm Fan 10"‐19" Laptop Notebook Cooling Pad CL‐N014‐PL20SW‐A

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077974X66/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[RyleyI]

That's been my concern too, Duskw4lker. I've read the same thing .

 

[serpro69]

On 3/4/2022 at 4:26 AM, duskw4lker said:

I've been tempted in the past to buy this .. thing 🤣 that claims to cool down your lappy beyond recognition with its dual blowers and hermetically sealed chamber of absolute freezing madness. The reviews seem positive enough though. but what concerns me is some kind of myth? or misinformation? around this kind of cooler that uses blowers instead of a regular fan, and that supposed problem would be damaging your laptop's own fans because of spinning way too fast beyond the intended max speed due to the volume and pressure of air inside that sealed chamber (4500 rpms at max speed from those blowers according to the manufacturer)

 

Damn that thing looks super futuristic, would probably look very cool along with something like Alienware M18x R2.

 

As for damaging the laptop's fans, I'm not sure how that would happen. Most laptops have a thin mesh covering the air intake slots on the bottom, and hence the air that is blown into the them will dissipate quite a lot.

Also, looking at the video, the air does not go straight up like it would from a fan, but rather it blows more or less parallel to the laptop then starts curling up around the middle.

 

Spoiler

 

 

 

[duskw4lker]

1 hour ago, serpro69 said:

 

Damn that thing looks super futuristic, would probably look very cool along with something like Alienware M18x R2.

 

As for damaging the laptop's fans, I'm not sure how that would happen. Most laptops have a thin mesh covering the air intake slots on the bottom, and hence the air that is blown into the them will dissipate quite a lot.

Also, looking at the video, the air does not go straight up like it would from a fan, but rather it blows more or less parallel to the laptop then starts curling up around the middle.

 

 

 

I. must. not. spend. more. money 😵.

 

You make an interesting point, the mesh that is commonly placed at the intake should dissipate some of the pressure, and yes, the air is not being blown directly hmm... 🤔

[seanwee]

 

On 3/4/2022 at 11:26 AM, duskw4lker said:

I've been tempted in the past to buy this .. thing 🤣 that claims to cool down your lappy beyond recognition with its dual blowers and hermetically sealed chamber of absolute freezing madness. The reviews seem positive enough though. but what concerns me is some kind of myth? or misinformation? around this kind of cooler that uses blowers instead of a regular fan, and that supposed problem would be damaging your laptop's own fans because of spinning way too fast beyond the intended max speed due to the volume and pressure of air inside that sealed chamber (4500 rpms at max speed from those blowers according to the manufacturer)

 

any thoughts?

 

https://www.amazon.com/IETS-Cooling-Flexible-Colorful-Adjustable/dp/B07WVK2ZZ9

 

 

A member of the MSI Enthusiasts discord I manage just bought this for his GF65. He figured it would be the best option for the GF65 since that laptop doesnt have any direct fan intakes and so a sealed cooling pad like this would be helpful in forcing air through the laptop.

 

When it arrived and tested it however, the temperatures were 3C worse than not using a cooling pad. He said that the fans ran slow and was barely pushing any air through. In fact, it was restricting the amount of fresh air the laptop could intake due to its sealed design.

 

Basically, avoid this cooling pad at all costs

9 hours ago, serpro69 said:

 

Damn that thing looks super futuristic, would probably look very cool along with something like Alienware M18x R2.

 

As for damaging the laptop's fans, I'm not sure how that would happen. Most laptops have a thin mesh covering the air intake slots on the bottom, and hence the air that is blown into the them will dissipate quite a lot.

Also, looking at the video, the air does not go straight up like it would from a fan, but rather it blows more or less parallel to the laptop then starts curling up around the middle.

 

  Hide contents

 

 

 

Even with my custom cooling pad forcing tons of air into the laptop intakes, I have not observed any "damage" to the fans. In fact, the fans run quieter than before since they no longer have the high pitched whooshing sound from air being sucked into the laptop as air is already being blown into the laptop.

[RyleyI]

I just decided to try it out, it arrives Wednesday.

[Eban]

11 hours ago, RyleyI said:

I just decided to try it out, it arrives Wednesday.

Looking forward to a review   !?!?!