A Porsche 911 GT2 (997 generation)
Ventilated carbon ceramic disc and 6-piston monobloc aluminum calipers on the 911 GT2
Heat dissipation for PCs is quite the same. Quad core processors and high-end discrete graphics cards are like turbo charged V8s. They bring performance to an amazingly fast level, but heat is a by-product that pose potential danger when not removed. An ancient Chinese poet once said something that can be roughly translated into," the higher in altitude one gets, the harder for him to withstand the cold temperature of the surroundings". To go fast is just phase one of a high performance experience, unless one plans to finish himself once and for all. Auto manufacturers have put in great efforts to ensure braking power is adequate for each car they build. Nobody can bear the consequences of getting a customer killed these days. However, when it comes to laptops, it is different. The owner can hardly get himself injured if his machine explodes. The worst scenario is merely some malfunctioning parts or a broken computer. Heat dissipation is thus generally overlooked by some manufacturers.
Those who frequently travel and hate bulky luggage want ultraportables. Their feather-light weight and compact size enable the owners to "go anywhere, do anything". Usually armed with a 11.6", or 13.3" display, dual core processor and integrated graphics, relatively little heat is generated. Those who regularly travel on business are often seen with a Lenovo Thinkpad or a Dell Latitude, as they look for business-friendly features, stable system and tough build. Those serious gamers arm themselves with powerful discrete graphics cards, quad-core processors and, probably, faster than hell SSDs. Other types of users also exist, to name but a few. It is not hard to tell that users hardly put heat dissipation as the key factor to consider when purchasing notebook PCs. It is also obvious that almost no customers decide their buy solely based on cooling performance. Manufacturers do their best to meet consumers' demands, and when demand is not high on certain aspects, they respond by paying less attention to such aspects.
As heat from electronic devices cannot be fully eliminated. We can take some solid actions that help prevent our devices from overheating, and the effect is so much greater than simply pushing the manufacturers, asking for more powerful cooling performance. Here are some tips below.
1. Remove objects that block the vents.
Vents can be found at the back or on the sides of laptops. It is proven that the temperature of PCs, no matter notebooks or desktops, rise significantly when their vents are blocked by things such as books, boxes or desktop stationery. Place these objects farther away from the vents to ensure smooth airflow into and out from the vents.
2. Avoid usage on beds.
Generally, notebook PCs, when used on beds, are considerably hotter than those used on proper desks. Avoid using them on beds. The damage of a burnt hole in the sheet is so minimal compared to a fried CPU or graphics card. If you have to, buy a laptop stand that is specifically designed for notebook usage on beds.
3. Regularly check the vents and fans.
If your notebook has already been used for some time, it is a good habit for you if you can check the status of the vents of the fans regularly, i.e. once three months. These parts trap dust and other particles in air very easily, resulting in blocked paths of airflow and slow-revving fans. Clear these parts carefully with a piece of fine cloth and a couple of cotton buds.
4. Last but not least, buy a cooling pad, if necessary.
Laptops are designed for portability. Their purpose makes buying a heavy cooling pad a bit meaningless. If your laptop is overheating hard, and you already have in mind the right kind of cooling pad to buy, you can get one, for the sake of system stability. Do check the working mechanism and build quality of the cooling pad, too, because you do not want it too break too easily, or to end up blowing hot air back into the vents when they have already been sent out by the fans inside the laptop.
I wish by publishing this post more people can be brought into attention to the heat dissipation of their electronic devices, especially their laptops. This is for the well-being and lifespan of our dear working and playing mates. Only when they have been treated nicely and carefully, they can bring us maximum efficiency and user experience. Being good to them is also being good to ourselves.
Cooling system on a modded Alienware M17x R2. Dual fans, copper heat pipes with carefully optimized airflow, a good model of efficient laptop cooling.
(Original image posted by AssimilatorX on overclock.net)
Poor cooling can be a real headache for laptop users.
Those who frequently travel and hate bulky luggage want ultraportables. Their feather-light weight and compact size enable the owners to "go anywhere, do anything". Usually armed with a 11.6", or 13.3" display, dual core processor and integrated graphics, relatively little heat is generated. Those who regularly travel on business are often seen with a Lenovo Thinkpad or a Dell Latitude, as they look for business-friendly features, stable system and tough build. Those serious gamers arm themselves with powerful discrete graphics cards, quad-core processors and, probably, faster than hell SSDs. Other types of users also exist, to name but a few. It is not hard to tell that users hardly put heat dissipation as the key factor to consider when purchasing notebook PCs. It is also obvious that almost no customers decide their buy solely based on cooling performance. Manufacturers do their best to meet consumers' demands, and when demand is not high on certain aspects, they respond by paying less attention to such aspects.
1. Remove objects that block the vents.
2. Avoid usage on beds.
3. Regularly check the vents and fans.
Dusty CPU and PSU fans in a desktop chassis
4. Last but not least, buy a cooling pad, if necessary.
A Cooler Master Notepal X3 cooling pad
I wish by publishing this post more people can be brought into attention to the heat dissipation of their electronic devices, especially their laptops. This is for the well-being and lifespan of our dear working and playing mates. Only when they have been treated nicely and carefully, they can bring us maximum efficiency and user experience. Being good to them is also being good to ourselves.
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