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    Recommendations to reduce fan noise

    Discussion in 'Alienware 14 and M14x' started by conork, Aug 11, 2011.

  1. conork

    conork Newbie

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    Hi
    I have searched this forum and found bits and pieces, nothing definite.

    I have the M14X with a i7 2720qm processor and haven't had much luck with reducing the fan noise.

    I accept that when playing some system intensive games this will happen
    however there must be a way to reduce it.

    Seen various posts about HWinfo and Throttlestop. Im a bit of a noob and would like to ask someone if they can recommend some settings in each or other ways to reduce fan noise.

    Thanks
     
    conork, Aug 11, 2011
    #1
  2. Gearsguy

    Gearsguy Notebook Deity

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    A laptop cooler and some thermal paste will probably help.
     
    Gearsguy, Aug 11, 2011
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  3. conork

    conork Newbie

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    Ive got the Zalman 3000 CU which does cool things down however the fan noise persists.
    Do you reckon you can mod these laptops to put in low noise fans?

    Ive heard of some having success with throttlestop and seen the author of this app post here.

    Cheers
     
    conork, Aug 11, 2011
    #3
  4. soulhacker

    soulhacker Notebook Consultant

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    increase the volume... :)
     
    soulhacker, Aug 11, 2011
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  5. DarkFame

    DarkFame Notebook Enthusiast

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    1: Disable CPU Turbo Mode in the BIOS. You don't really need it for any current games. The GeForce GT555m performance won't be affected. (No need to use ThrottleStop)

    2: Install HWINFO64 and specify your own settings for fan control based on CPU temperature. HWiNFO64 Download
    Try to stay in the 3200-3500 rpm range until it reaches 90 degrees. This will make it run much more quiet (unless the game is really demanding). At 90 degrees you should make the fan run at least at 4500 rpm. The CPU will automatically throttle if it's nearing 100 degrees (performance loss as the CPU clocks down quite a bit).

    Note: I've found the HWINFO64 application to be a bit buggy (power state BSOD seems to occur when the discrete card is being enabled and disabled a couple of times), even when using the correct settings for the M14x (or it will stop monitoring after a few minutes).

    3: Get a decent laptop cooler (ZalMan or CoolerMaster).

    The best is of course to combine these options. Option 1 being the most important, and consider option 3. As HWINFO64 in it's current state is a bit buggy, I won't recommend option 2 yet.
     
    DarkFame, Aug 19, 2011
    #5
  6. conork

    conork Newbie

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    Cheers will have a look
     
    conork, Aug 22, 2011
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  7. KSSR1211

    KSSR1211 Notebook Evangelist

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    Play FSX, then turn down the volume and you will have a more realistic jet engine noise. :D
     
    KSSR1211, Aug 22, 2011
    #7
  8. GIJoeMyGoodness

    GIJoeMyGoodness Notebook Geek

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    My i5 is silent for almost all browsing. (No noise as a type this). Is everyone with fan problems using an i7 equipped M14? I don't mean problem as in something wrong, I know it's a TDP issue regarding the power of the i7 which is why I assume my i5 is a bit quieter.
     
    GIJoeMyGoodness, Aug 23, 2011
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  9. Croatoan

    Croatoan Notebook Consultant

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    I wouldnt say it a problem, the laptop just sounds like an aircraft taking off during gaming. I wear headphones lol.

    It clearly packs a punch above its weight so has to shift a lot of air to keep it cool. Small fans are generally noisy fans. Thats by design and not a fault.

    Any concerns I had, for example if the cpu was being throttled due to overheating then the first port of call should be a repair. Yes you could buy a laptop cooler to keep the noise down, but my concern is that people could be masking a genuine overheating problem that could result in component failure should it not be correctly addressed.

    As far as noisy laptops go, the m14x is near top of the list. It just does not have the luxury of internal space to accomodate large fans / space to disperse the heat.
     
    Croatoan, Aug 23, 2011
    #9