Lifting Laptop Cooled it 10 Degrees!

I noticed that my 17 R3 seemed to be running a bit warmer than others had reported here. Running a video playback program using about 70% of the 980m GPU and 20% CPU, package temps according to Intel XTU would typically run in the 70c - 75c range. With the programs running at this level, I propped the far underside of the laptop up by 1/2 inch. While I watched, the temp readings declined to the 60c - 65c range. When I set the laptop back down the temps went up again. I'm never laying my laptop flat again!

I know many here swear by the Coolermaster U3, which basically raises the laptop even higher and applies fans to the underside. I'm curious how much cooler the U3 can be than simply propping up the laptop? I was stunned by how much difference a little height made.

 

My alienware m17 r4 also has heating problems, as my gpu reached 74 degrees when gaming and the cpu 96.

I propper up the back about an inch with a couple of rubber supports and BAM, gpu rarely went over 67, but cpu only dropped about 3 degrees.

 

Just curious, are you guys using keyboard covers? I noticed that a large part of the cooling is done trough air that gets sucked into the keyboard.

 

I just used blue-tack to attach to pop-bottle lids to the underside of the system (Towards the back of the unit) - quick, easy and reversible. Add Coollaboratory Liquid Ultra/Pro and the temp reductions are worthwhile.

 

That is some wild thermal paste you're recommending.
If not applied right, this thing will fry your stuff.

 

I'm not necessarily recommending it - although the cooling improvements are good.

Yes, it does require care when you apply it - and double checking before you power the system up to ensure that there has been no spillage. With this said, if you apply the 'paste' to the CPU and the heatsink when they are removed from the system and take care when putting it all back together, the risks can be minimized.

ICD is probably a good bet if you want something that is comparatively easier to apply.