Laptop cooling solutions

Postby **everdred12a** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 4:50 pm

I know that there are people here who know exponentially more than me about computers and computer hardware, so my question is this - can anyone suggest a simple and preferably cheap way to cool my laptop? When I try to run some programs (games, mainly) my computer tends to get really hot, and has overheated a couple of times. And, well, the ice paks just aren't cutting it anymore. So, I thought you guys might be able to suggest to me some good products for cooling it off. Help is appreciated!

Postby **Mithrandir** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 5:58 pm

Metal is really good at conducting heat away from things. I know a guy who just put a dense metal plate on his desk to serve as a cooling platform. He built a simple platform on it to maximize surface area contact.

If the system is overheating, though, you can probabaly take it back to the store. That really shouldn't happen.

Postby **everdred12a** » Fri Jun 16, 2006 8:54 pm

I can't really take it back to the store... lol. It's a Dell my mom ordered for me online. It really only starts to get really hot if it's running a game. None of the other programs really give it problems.

Postby **TurkishMonky** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 6:00 am

My computer gets hot sometimes, but only relaly overheated once when it was doing some intensive processing and the blanket had accidentally blocked the exaust the way it was sitting on my bed. now i make a point to keep the exaust fan clear. however, i'd try Mith's method, and if that doesn't work, mebbie underclock your graphics card (it would depend on your specific model how to do this... Nvidia 6600 series are really easy though) and turn down some options on your game.

Postby **everdred12a** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:07 am

So... if I turn down the graphics settings, it should cut down on some of the heat problems? I left them on the default, but I could still turn them down. And, how do I go about figuring out what graphics card I have?

Postby **Mithrandir** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 8:55 am

That's a great idea. If it's only over heating during the game, open up the game's settings menu and turn down the detail nob (or color depth, or fps). That would probably do it.

Finding out what kind of graphics card you have will vary from model to model, but usually you'll:
1. Right click on my computer, select properties.
2. Click on the Hardware tab.
3. Click on the Device Manager button.
4. Find the Display Adapter item.

Postby **everdred12a** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:23 am

OK, I did what you said, Mith, and this is what it tells me. I have two
Moblie Intel 915GM/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family
...Whatever that is. When I expand the tab on Display adapters, it shows I have two of them. 'Course, I have no idea what any of that means.

Postby **Mithrandir** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:35 am

Is there a graphics setting in the game in question?

Postby **Mr. SmartyPants** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:41 am

everdred12a wrote:It's a Dell

That's why :lol:

Mithrandir wrote:Is there a graphics setting in the game in question?

Yes there is

If it gets really bad, try one of these
Laptop Cooling Platform Thingys

Postby **Felix** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:15 pm

Wow I need one of those pads o.o Or I could try that metal plate thing. My laptop overheats really badly too, but I contribute that to it just being a really sucky laptop *shrug* It USUALLY won't actually shut down when it gets real hot, but it's probably pretty bad for it, and my battery is basically fried and won't last more than 10 minutes. <.< Plus it burns my legs if I put it on my lap XD but thats not so bad, all things considered.

Postby **Kaligraphic** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 1:22 pm

I have one of those fan pads for my laptop and it does wonders for keeping it cool. You should be able to get one for under $25, so it's not a big investment.

Postby **TurkishMonky** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 2:36 pm

Felix wrote:Wow I need one of those pads o.o Or I could try that metal plate thing. My laptop overheats really badly too, but I contribute that to it just being a really sucky laptop *shrug* It USUALLY won't actually shut down when it gets real hot, but it's probably pretty bad for it, and my battery is basically fried and won't last more than 10 minutes. <.< Plus it burns my legs if I put it on my lap XD but thats not so bad, all things considered.

putting it on your lap, especially if it's burning hot, isn't really good for your future family options, if you know what i mean. that's why they are all sold as "notebook" computers now, not "laptops"

Postby **Felix** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 3:20 pm

XD! Ahahaha, that's hilarious. Point taken.

Postby **everdred12a** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 4:37 pm

Well... I don't *exactly* have a hunk of metal lying around... so I think I might have to shell out some cash for a laptop fan thingy like you guys are talking about.

And about the fans.... oooh, so many to choose from! I just don't know which one would be best.

Postby **Mr. SmartyPants** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 9:22 pm

everdred12a wrote:Well... I don't *exactly* have a hunk of metal lying around... so I think I might have to shell out some cash for a laptop fan thingy like you guys are talking about.

And about the fans.... oooh, so many to choose from! I just don't know which one would be best.

See which has the best reviews

Postby **Mithrandir** » Sat Jun 17, 2006 10:44 pm

TurkishMonky wrote:putting it on your lap, especially if it's burning hot, isn't really good for your future family options, if you know what i mean. that's why they are all sold as "notebook" computers now, not "laptops"

(Just FYI, he's not kidding. Apparently a study found this to have the aforementioned affect. Note, however, that bicycle seats have been known to cause the same affect, and it's not guarenteed to be permanent in later life.)

Postby **everdred12a** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:10 pm

Okay, for a bit of an update:

Still no good. I turned down the graphical settings on the game, and it hasn't helped.

I tried taking a sheet of metal and putting the laptop on it. No luck.

I bought a cooling fan (more specifically, a Targus Chill Pad. It was the only thing they had), and it didn't help either.

I honestly have no idea what the problem could be, and it's starting to worry me. I don't have the money to get my computer checked out, and I just recently found out that my mom skipped out on buying the warranty so she could save 400 bucks. Any help is appreciated.

Postby **Angel37** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:12 pm

I have a huge fan on my floor that runs directly on to where I sit my laptop. That seems to be working alot.

Postby **everdred12a** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:22 pm

Maybe I should try that... I gotta find a fan though.

Postby **Angel37** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:23 pm

I got one for like $14 at Wal_mart. A nice big window fan.

Postby **Mr. SmartyPants** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 12:59 pm

Ever thought that your computer was overheating for abnormal reasons? Not because of the game + heat outside?

Postby **everdred12a** » Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:45 pm

Yeah, but there's nothing I can do about it. My mom didn't get the warantee for the thing and I don't have the cash to get it looked at. For now, I'll have to stick with the box fan I've been using. It's been working fine. I played for most of the day today and it didn't overheat once.

Laptop cooling solutions

Laptop cooling solutions

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