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    Cooler for m11x?

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by xe140, Jun 24, 2011.

  1. xe140

    xe140 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Is it necessary? Mine is still in production, and I'm thinking about if it is needed..
     
  2. GNandGS

    GNandGS Notebook Deity

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    Not really unless placing on cushion/towel/bed/couch/sofa... but sure can't hurt.
     
  3. aggiekevin

    aggiekevin Notebook Consultant

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    I have a cooler because I game on a 32 inch TV so I got one for peace of mind. it did reduce temps drastically. I have only needed a cooler once and that was because three of us were gaming in one room, ambient air temps were crazy high and i did not prop the back up at all and I was OC'ed.
     
  4. Vsanthos

    Vsanthos Newbie

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    Does anyone have a recommendation for a good cooler for the M11x? Now that summer's rolling around I'm getting a lot of shutdown warnings via Core Temp. I work in a dry cleaner, so there's no air conditioning and it gets pretty hot when the steam is running. I like to play in my downtime and having a game shut down on me is not very fun. Thanks.

    edit: I was debating just running to the discount store down the road and grabbing a $15 cooler there. Not sure if there's going to be any difference if I grab a more expensive one online or not.
     
  5. PWK87

    PWK87 Newbie

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    I have a R2 i7 and it NEEDs a cooler to run games or I get bad framerates, I've replaced the thermal paste and that helped a little, but I need the active cooler on for modern games. I'm using a CoolMax NB-400 that I turned the fan around on to push the air the right way (up), and had to add some washers to keep it away form the grate because the fins will catch and break at high speed.
     
  6. kent1146

    kent1146 Notebook Prophet

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    No, you don't need a cooler.

    As a general principle, I refuse to use notebook coolers. If you need to use a notebook cooler, then you bought a poorly designed notebook.
     
  7. el_pitaya

    el_pitaya Notebook Consultant

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    I might say I have played with my r1 in a hot day without air conditioner and games run fine, So I don't need to use a cooler most of the time I'm in my desk or/table and laptop manages temps very well.
    as for the r2 that gets bad framerates, that's because the i7 downclocks for high temps, you should use throttlestop, a program that sets your processor to a maximum clock without caring the temps, your temps should be not that bad

    My r1 had reached max 70-80 degrees in a 45 degrees day, with lots of humidity

    The only detail I noticed that day was that the metal from the bottom of the laptop was very hot and there was no way to cool that, so I decided to turn it off, In my house @20-30 oC I just reach a maximum of 55oC playing any game

    good luck!
     
  8. DeeVu

    DeeVu That Compsci/Psych Major

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    I use a cooler for two reasons. It keeps my 11x cooler and I use it as a "bench" to hold my laptop when I connect it to my monitor and other setup.
     
  9. HTWingNut

    HTWingNut Potato

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    I don't think coolers should be necessary either. But propping the back of your machine up an inch helps matters with most laptops, just to open up the airflow.

    With the R1 I don't see a need. Temps don't exceed 60C usually, which is none too hot. Only reason I can see is because of fan noise. But then just do the mod that "some guy" here at NBR did and his machine peaks at 50C, that is if you're willing to sacrifice your warranty.