In today's world, computer users are increasingly striving to minimize the size of their device. And the trend of replacing large stationary PCs with smaller laptops or the transition to even smaller netbooks or tablets is becoming increasingly apparent . This trend brings the user many advantages in the use of computer technology, but along with this there are problems that were not in stationary devices. Since the laptop is quite small, and during operation a lot of thermal energy is released, it must be efficiently diverted so that the gadget does not overheat. Any computer user knows that such a device works like a vacuum cleaner, and a laptop is no exception. Therefore, even after a short service life, laptop modernization is often required.
Causes of problems in the laptop cooling system
If we consider the causes of overheating, we can distinguish several points that lead to an increase in temperature inside this device. These reasons can be divided into two categories: physical and software. The physical ones include dust and other debris entering the laptop cooling system, which prevent the cooling fan from blowing freely around the processor and video card inside the gadget. These reasons can also include overlapping free access of air to the cooling system, which also leads to overheating of the laptop.
More complex reasons include the drying of thermal paste on the heat-generating elements of the device and the deterioration of the lubrication of the cooling fan. And if we talk about the software reasons for overheating, we can distinguish the use of complex and rapidly changing graphics, especially in game programs, as well as work with so-called heavy applications that use the maximum capabilities of the processor and video card.
Ways to solve the cooling problem
There can be several ways to solve the cooling problem. The laptop user should first of all start with the simplest thing - this is cleaning the cooling system from dust and dirt. Often they try to perform such an operation regularly, as soon as the laptop starts to overheat or additional fan noise appears. More complicated procedures include replacing the heat-conducting paste under the processor and graphics card chip. But if all these operations do not help to solve the problem of overheating, then it becomes necessary to modernize the laptop cooling system. Moreover, the methods for carrying out such an operation may be different. There are internal and external methods for solving the problem. So, upgrading a laptop using various ventilation stands can be attributed to external methods, and changing the elements of the cooling system to internal ones.
Cleaning the cooling fan
Cleaning the laptop’s cooling fan is the first thing the device’s owner should do if a gadget overheats. The procedure for cleaning the fan is quite simple, and even without special skills, you can carry out this work yourself. For example, if you need to upgrade your Acer laptop, then in the beginning you should pay attention to the cooling fan. The advantage of the design of laptops from this manufacturer is the ease of removing the back cover and good access to the cooling system. After removing several mounting screws, the user easily disassembles the fan and its radiator. Then it is easily cleaned from dust and dirt.
Replacing thermal grease in the cooling system
If the problem has not been resolved after cleaning the fan, then it is worth paying attention to the condition of the thermal paste on the elements that most produce heat. These elements are the processor and graphics card. For example, upgrading your HP laptop in the cooling system area also starts with replacing the heat transfer paste. But it is worth remembering that after such a replacement, the warranty on your gadget is lost. If you still decide to conduct this operation yourself, you need to remove the radiators from the processor and video card, and then carefully remove the old paste from these elements, and then apply a new one.
Notebook fan upgrade
Sometimes, even when carrying out the above work, the problem of overheating the laptop is not resolved. In this case, you need to upgrade the laptop cooling. Most often this happens if the problem is in programs that force the processor and video card to work at full power, or the laptop owner deliberately overclocked the processor above normal. Most often in such cases, you can choose a more powerful fan of the same size. It is important to remember that the wiring of the contacts in the connector may differ from that of the fan originally installed in the laptop. In this case, you must change the pinout of its contacts before installing a new element. Otherwise, the fan may simply not work or change the direction of its rotation, which will lead to even greater problems.
Installation of additional radiators in the cooling system
If a laptop is being upgraded, it is not always possible to install a more powerful fan. Often, such fans take up more space or their mounting holes do not match this laptop model. What can be done in this case? Some laptop owners have found that installing additional copper plates on cooling radiators is quite effective. Such plates can be made of thick copper wire by preheating them with a gas burner and riveting with a hammer. Thus, the area of thermal dispersion of the radiators of the laptop increases. For example, when an Asus laptop is being upgraded, free space is quite problematic to find. In this case, additional plates will help solve the problem.
Getting rid of high-frequency whistling in a laptop
Quite often, as another problem associated with the laptop cooling system, the appearance of high-frequency whistling with increased loads on the computer is called. The vibration of the fan is transmitted to the body of the gadget, which can create an unpleasant sound background, the tone of which changes depending on the load on this system. If you are upgrading a laptop, then this problem is also given some attention. In this case, not only careful sound insulation of the laptop cooling system is important, but also the reduction of the points of free contact of this system with the case and other parts of the laptop. Often, various dielectric heat-conducting compounds are used for such purposes. Usually they are poured with a syringe. And when it hardens, it becomes like a soft rubber mass. So, upgrading the Acer Aspire laptop with such a composition gives remarkable results.
External laptop cooling systems
Sometimes some laptop users, afraid of losing the guarantee on their gadget, hesitate to open it, and in this case, upgrading the laptop is impossible. The only acceptable option is to use external cooling systems. At present, there are a lot of different supports for such devices, in which pressure fans are mounted. The number of fans determines the power of the cooling system of such a stand. Their cost may vary depending on the power of such a cooling system and the manufacturer who manufactured this accessory.
Using a service center to solve a laptop’s cooling problem
If the laptop is under warranty, then any change in its configuration will automatically lead to its loss. Therefore, many users hesitate to open the laptop on their own or consider their own knowledge and skills insufficient to carry out this kind of work. In this case, the most reasonable solution would be to contact a service center for servicing devices of this manufacturer. Although its specialists will not make changes in the design of the laptop, nevertheless they will clean the fan and replace the heat-conducting paste while maintaining the warranty on your gadget.