Cooling the X120e

Aside from undervolting, what else can be done to help the X120e run cooler?
I'm going to look into lapping the heatsink and applying/reapplying thermal paste to the CPU. It would be great to get the CPU temps down a few degrees C.

 

Well, using TPFanControl to keep the fan on would certainly lower temperatures, at the cost of fan wear and tear over the long term. Especially with undervolting, though, I haven't seen my X120e heat up to worrying temperatures.

 

How hot are you getting exactly to consider lapping it?

I mean I know some people are much more comfortable with mods than I am.. heck even my brother doesn't mind taking sand paper to his CPU.

I am a little more weary personally..

From everything I've read the x120 shouldn't get much more than slightly warm.

 

@Midnight Sun:
I'm already using TPFanControl, but ultimately I want the machine to be quiet and I figure if I can run it cooler then the fan won't come on as much. I haven't yet undervolted my x120e but that's on my short list. I would like the fan to be off while browsing the internet, excepting streaming video/flash etc.

@Snow Fox:
According to TPFanControl I get temps between 50-52C at idle w/fan off. I run TPFC in smart mode and set the fan to start at 55C, ramp up at 60C, and run full-out at 65C. Just browsing the internet (no streaming video/audio, flash, etc.) I'll hit 57-58C, and I'll hit 60-61C if I'm watching video. To me this is at least 5C too hot, but I'm used to desktops and perhaps my expectations are unrealistic?

The case itself isn't getting hot at all. I just think 60C is hot and the fan noise doesn't make it any better.

 

Laptops get a lot hotter than desktops. 55-60C is very normal for the x120e. Mine reaches about 58C when surfing the web. There is nothing to be concerned about. If you really want lower temps, then lapping it and reapply paste would help.

 

I'm sure the dual core version heats up more then the single core version. I don't notice a difference from my x120e and x100e in terms of cpu heat though.

 

my problem is the other way around. the temps can get warm. but wot bugs me most is that i make a clean install. nice and quiet. now as times gone on. my hard drive is louder. and the fan is not as quiet. i havent installed loads and even with no adapter its aloud as id expect when in full power/use.
i dont wanna use tpfan because i dont want it to be there every time i log on. and the point is it starts of quiet and perfect on fresh install.

Also to add when i resume from sleep/standby. the fan goes absolutely crazy. like a jumbo jet engine. whats all that about? it never did that to begin with.