Laptop Coolers

[Axison]

Ello,

I got a simple Toshiba laptop(Satellite C55-B5200) which is overheating by just playing GTA SA. Now i may say, this has NEVER happened before on this laptop...not until my previous hard drive failed(the first time) it started heating after the first breakdown.

I've seen a couple laptop coolers but i don't which one would work. Thats what i need help with. My laptop stays around 30-40* even when i'm not using anything(weird). I also must say that its relatively hot where i am right now and my laptop is on my LAP(pun pun pun). I haven't tested my temps while my laptop is on my desk.

It goes up to 50* when i am playing GTA SA(when its on my lap, didnt check temps on a desk). So help a brother out?

Thanks again! Feel free to ask anymore questions.

[Dave]

Which cooler you get is entirely dependent on where the fans/vents are located on your laptop. Looking at your machine it seems that most of ventilation is from the intakes/exhausts on the side with only one small intake on the bottom of the machine (at least from what I can tell from the surprising few pictures on Google). However a cooler would still be able to keep the base of the machine cool which would passively cool the internals.

As far as your temps are concerned; they're actually pretty normal. Given the closed and cramped nature of a laptop's internals 30-40 idle/under slight load is pretty normal depending on ambient room temp and how much airflow you're allowing to get under the machine. 50 degrees at load isn't too bad either. Given the laptop is on your lap the airflow should be fine. However I'd be wary of covering up or restricting the small vent on the bottom.

For which cooler? I'd recommend any cooler with two or more fans to give maximum coverage as long as the fans are rated to move a fair amount of air (anything with a moderately high RPM).

Laptops get hot. It's cramped on the inside of that machine and that'll restrict airflow which in turn will restrict heat dissipation. Your temps are within normal limits though so I wouldn't worry too much about it. Most desktop's run at avg. 10-15 degrees less give or take cooling solutions.

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When you say "overheating" do you mean actual thermal limit shutdowns when the temps get too high or just high temperatures?

[Axison]

When you say "overheating" do you mean actual thermal limit shutdowns when the temps get too high or just high temperatures?

It just feels hot like, from the side(vents). Thanks for your input and clearing my doubts. Ill wait a few days for more responses and decide whether or not i'm gonna buy a cooler.

[Ramis]

For a laptop 50°C isnt that much. But to feel comfortable , i guess you shall not hold your computer on your lap. You shall try to leave computer vents not blocked by your feet.
When you`re on desk , you shall put a book or whatever under it , to leave an inch of space for it to "breathe" , the side holes might not be always capable to cool it enough.
Also laptop coolers is a good(absolutely necessary) thingie to buy. You shall check Youtube reviews about one model or another and spend a bit more to guarantee your computer to be cold enough.