DIY watercooling/cooling RIG for laptops

Posted by: @hashraf

I am a student so my first priority is to make it cheap. I am trying to make a cheap cooling rig for my laptop. You know how it is with Asus laptops and how much they heat up. At max load it can go up to 80 °C which is way too much. One thing that is stuck in my mind is to use a Peltier plate combined with a fan to cool the base of the laptop. Any thoughts on it?

Actually we have water-cooled laptops here in China. A few vendors on aliexpress offer this conversion, you just mail the laptop to them and they solder a copper tube with self-sealing quick-release onto the existing heatpipes. Complete with a external pump and radiator, it is only around 50-80 USD (by currencies today) and the pictures are the final result

You could try doing it yourself, just get water cooling parts for desktop. If you want to keep it mobile and simple (nothing risky like applying heat to heatpipes), thermal paste a copper tube of proper size to the heatpipes, pass the ends through the exhaust holes on the back and connect to a external cooling loop. Just remember to empty the loop if you aren't using self-sealing connectors.

I also think it possible to open a hole in the bottom of the chassis, and slap on a huge cooler. However the effect will not be as good, but it will help a little

Great initiative! As a fellow student, I completely understand the importance of keeping things affordable. Using a Peltier plate combined with a fan sounds like an interesting idea to cool down your Asus laptop.

Peltier cooling can be an effective way to dissipate heat, but there are a few things to consider. Peltier plates can be power-hungry, so make sure to choose one that matches the power supply capabilities of your laptop and doesn't drain the battery too quickly. Additionally, Peltier plates are not 100% efficient, meaning they produce heat on one side while cooling the other. Ensure proper insulation to prevent the hot side from affecting the cool side's efficiency.

When constructing the cooling rig, focus on ensuring good thermal contact between the Peltier plate and the laptop's base to maximize heat transfer. Properly managing the fan's airflow is crucial for efficient cooling, so you might need to experiment with its positioning and orientation.

Posted by: @hashraf

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I am a student so my first priority is to make it cheap. I am trying to make a cheap cooling rig for my laptop. You know how it is with Asus laptops and how much they heat up. At max load it can go up to 80 °C which is way too much. One thing that is stuck in my mind is to use a Peltier plate combined with a fan to cool the base of the laptop. Any thoughts on it?

Using a Peltier plate combined with a fan to cool the base of your laptop is an interesting idea, but there are a few factors to consider before proceeding with this cooling solution. Here are some thoughts to help you make an informed decision:

1. Peltier Plate Efficiency: Peltier plates, also known as thermoelectric coolers, work by transferring heat from one side of the plate to the other when an electric current flows through it. While they can provide cooling, they are not extremely efficient in terms of power consumption. You'll need to ensure that the cooling effect they provide outweighs the additional heat generated by the Peltier module itself.

2. Power Consumption: Peltier plates can draw a significant amount of power, which could put additional strain on your laptop's power supply. This might not be ideal, especially if you're trying to avoid excessive heat and battery drain. You'll need to calculate the power requirements of the Peltier module and ensure your laptop's power adapter can handle the load.

3. Heat Dissipation: Peltier plates transfer heat from one side to the other, which means you'll need to have a good heat sink on the hot side to dissipate the heat effectively. Without proper heat dissipation, the Peltier module could become extremely hot and potentially damage itself or the laptop.

4. Complexity: Implementing a Peltier-based cooling solution requires careful design and setup. You'll need to ensure that the Peltier module is properly mounted and insulated to prevent condensation on the cold side, which could damage your laptop.

5. Compatibility: Peltier plates come in different sizes and power ratings. You'll need to find one that fits your laptop's dimensions and cooling requirements. Additionally, make sure your laptop's base can accommodate the additional height of the Peltier module and heat sink without affecting its stability.

6. DIY Challenges: Building a cooling solution with a Peltier module and fan might involve some DIY skills, such as soldering, mounting, and thermal management. If you're not experienced in these areas, you might want to do thorough research or seek advice from someone who has experience with electronics and thermal management.

7. Cost: While the initial cost of a Peltier module might be relatively low, you should consider the overall cost of materials, fans, heat sinks, and any additional components you'll need. It's possible that a pre-made laptop cooling pad might be a more cost-effective solution and you can also buy it from UAE.

Before proceeding with your Peltier-based cooling rig, it's a good idea to research and plan thoroughly. You might also want to explore other options, such as external laptop cooling pads, which are designed to improve airflow and dissipate heat effectively. These cleaning solutions might offer a more straightforward and cost-effective way to address your laptop's temperature issues.

I agree. The Peltier is not a great solution as it only moves heat a matter of less than a 5mm as I recall so there's not much to gain since you still have to cool the hot side. In fact, I'm often surprised at why they are used for this at all. There are self-pumping systems rather like those seen above that are more efficient. Close contact liquid cooling is the most efficient solution I've come across. Clear, non-ionic fluids look really weird when you drop a complete, working PC in there and the hot bits just sit there bubbling the heat away.