The ULTIMATE Laptop Cooling Comparison - Pad vs Vacuum vs Stand

Summary

In this comprehensive comparison, the effectiveness of various cooling solutions for laptops is tested. The video explores the impact of basic stands, cooling pads, and vacuum coolers on thermal performance and clock speeds across 10 different laptops. Cooling pads, especially, offer the best results in reducing temperatures and improving performance, especially in thermal-throttling scenarios. While vacuum coolers show effectiveness in lowering CPU temps, they are louder and more complex to use. The overall conclusion suggests that cooling pads or stands are the most practical and efficient solutions for most users, ensuring better thermal management and laptop longevity.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cooling pads provide the most consistent and noticeable improvement in thermals and performance across multiple laptops.
• 😀 A simple metal stand, which raises the laptop to allow more airflow, is often effective and the quietest cooling solution.
• 😀 Vacuum coolers can be effective at reducing CPU temperatures, especially for laptops with thermal throttling, but they tend to be louder and require more setup.
• 😀 Cooling pads come in different sizes and designs, with the **Massive 20 RGB** being the most effective in terms of thermals.
• 😀 Laptops that reach thermal throttling (e.g., Acer Nitro 5) see a significant boost in performance when better cooling is applied.
• 😀 Non-throttling laptops (like the MSI Alpha 15) show minimal performance improvement despite the cooling solutions, as they aren't temperature-limited.
• 😀 For most users, cooling pads or a simple metal stand are the best solutions, offering a balance of efficiency, cost, and noise levels.
• 😀 Vacuum coolers, although effective at reducing CPU temperatures, show less improvement to GPU thermals compared to other methods.
• 😀 Noise levels are a concern: Vacuum coolers are the loudest option, while metal stands and basic cooling pads are quieter and more suitable for long-term use.
• 😀 Cooling pads can often offer better results than vacuum coolers in terms of overall temperature and performance improvements, particularly with laptops lacking thermal throttling.

Q & A

What cooling solutions were tested in this video?

The video tested several cooling solutions: a basic metal stand, three different cooling pads (V20, A23, Massive 20 RGB), and vacuum coolers from Apollo. These solutions were compared against the baseline setup of a laptop sitting directly on a table.

How does a metal stand affect laptop cooling?

A metal stand raises the laptop off the table, allowing better airflow beneath it. This simple action helps to lower the temperatures, especially in laptops where cooling is limited.

What is the main advantage of using cooling pads?

Cooling pads raise the laptop and have built-in fans that blow air into the laptop’s intake area. This active cooling improves thermals and performance, especially for laptops that might not have sufficient internal cooling.

What are the differences between the three cooling pads tested?

The three cooling pads tested were: the V20, a basic model with a 200mm fan; the A23, which offers a 120mm fan and adjustable height for better airflow; and the Massive 20 RGB, which features a larger 200mm fan and RGB lighting. The performance differences were small, but the cooling pads showed some improvement over just using a stand.

How do vacuum coolers work, and why were they tested?

Vacuum coolers are USB-powered devices that attach to a laptop’s exhaust vents. They work by sucking hot air out of the system. They were tested to see how effectively they lower temperatures, especially the CPU, by reducing heat buildup.

Which cooling solution performed best overall?

Overall, cooling pads performed the best. They consistently lowered both CPU and GPU temperatures and helped improve clock speeds, especially in laptops prone to thermal throttling. Vacuum coolers were effective for CPU cooling but were louder and had less impact on the GPU.

Did any of the cooling solutions show an improvement in laptop performance?

Yes, cooling solutions, particularly the cooling pads, helped improve performance by reducing thermal throttling, allowing higher clock speeds. Laptops without thermal throttling showed smaller performance improvements, while those with throttling saw more significant boosts.

What role does thermal throttling play in laptop performance?

Thermal throttling occurs when a laptop’s CPU or GPU reaches its thermal limit, causing performance to decrease to prevent overheating. Laptops that thermal throttle saw more significant performance improvements when cooled effectively.

How did noise levels compare between the cooling solutions?

In terms of noise, the vacuum coolers were the loudest, especially when running at maximum speed. The stand and cooling pads were quieter, with the stand being the quietest option. The cooling pads' fan noise was noticeable but not excessive.

What factors should influence the choice of a cooling solution for a laptop?

The choice of cooling solution should depend on the laptop’s thermal behavior, performance needs, and noise tolerance. For laptops with thermal throttling, a cooling pad is ideal. For quieter, simpler setups, a metal stand may suffice. Vacuum coolers are suited for specific cases where maximum CPU cooling is required.