Do Cooling Pads Work for Gaming Laptops? Are Cooling Pads Worth It? These are just a few of the many questions gamers and laptop users are asking. Especially now, with the warmer weather heating up.
Surely, they must be worth it with millions of laptop cooling pads being sold each year. However, to get a definitive answer, I bought a laptop cooling pad and put it through its paces and see for myself.
So, keep reading to see what I found!
What is a Laptop Cooling Pad?
A laptop cooling pad is an accessory that you can place underneath your laptop and will help to keep your gaming laptop cooler. It works by dissipating heat using fans. Laptop coolers can also be great platforms for making typing easier due to elevating your laptop. Some laptop coolers have additional features, such as USB ports or an adjustable height.
Why You Should Use a Laptop Cooler?
You might want to use a laptop cooler if you primarily use your laptop for gaming or running intensive programmes like Adobe or Solidworks when generating heat is inevitable. In general, using a laptop cooler can help extend the life of your gaming laptop by preventing it from overheating.
Overheating can cause laptops to slow down, freeze, or even crash. (It does happen) Some people also find that their laptops run more quietly when using a laptop cooler because the fans don’t have to work as hard to keep the temperature of their laptops down.
Do Cooling Pads Work Test
To see if cooling pads really work for gaming laptops. I used the HP Omen 15 gaming laptop. With a NVidia RTX 2060 8GB graphics card. An AMD Ryzen 7 4800H 8-Core mobile processor, 16 GB DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD. The MW laptop cooler we used.
See the Cooling Pad I now Use: With the new Razer Blade 15, I use the Thermaltake laptop cooler. By far the best Razer Blade 15 cooling pad to help keep this powerful gaming laptop running cool.
Are Laptop Cooling Pads Worth It?
To answer, are laptop cooling pads worth it? I used my HP Omen 15 gaming laptop, a good choice because it has powerful specs and generates heat while gaming. For the first test, I ran Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro for 20 mins. Then I played Call of Duty Warzone. First without the laptop cooler and then again with the laptop cooler turned on.
We used Speccy, a software programme to monitor the hardware temperatures. Speccy is FREE to use and works on any Windows laptop. And will provide technical details about the processor, motherboard, graphics card, and RAM. And of course, temperatures.
Idle Temps Used
To see if laptop cooling pads really work. Before starting each test. I first had to find a stable idle temperature for the laptop. The idle CPU temperature was 32 °C (89.6 Fahrenheit). And the NVidia graphics card idle temperature was 30 °C (86 Fahrenheit).
Test 1 – Photo and Video Editing Software
After running Adobe for 20 mins first without the cooling pad, the CPU temperature reached 49 °C (120 Fahrenheit), and the NVidia GPU temperature reached 45 °C (113 Fahrenheit). And while using the laptop cooler. The CPU temperature reached 44 °C (111 Fahrenheit), and the NVidia GPU temperature reached 40 °C (104 Fahrenheit).
Test 2: Playing COD Warzone
After playing Call of Duty Warzone on my laptop for over 20 minutes first without the laptop cooler, the CPU temperature reached 51 °C (123 Fahrenheit), and the NVidia GPU temperature reached 47 °C (116 Fahrenheit). And with the cooler. The CPU temperature reached 50 °C (122 Fahrenheit), and the NVidia GPU temperature reached 47 °C (116 Fahrenheit).
Test Results
| TEST 1 ADOBE SOFTWARE | CPU Temperature | GPU Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| NO COOLING PAD | 49 °C | 45 °C |
| WITH COOLING PAD | 44 °C | 40 °C |
| TEST 2 GAMING | CPU Temperature | GPU Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| NO COOLING PAD | 51 °C | 47 °C |
| WITH COOLING PAD | 50 °C | 47 °C |
Laptop Cooler Test Results
There are only minor differences in the hardware temperatures when using one. In the first test, both processors improved by +5 °C. And when gaming, there was only a +1 °C difference in the CPU temperature while the GPU temperatures remained the same.
The main point to take is that laptop cooling pads work with laptops. Even though there are only minor differences in temperatures. It should be enough to help prolong the lifespan of your gaming laptop.
Besides, I would rather spend the small amount on buying a laptop cooler. Then result in opening up my gaming laptop to mess around with thermal pasting that could void the warranty.
How Do Laptop Cooling Pads Work?
Laptop cooling pads work by dissipating the heat generated by the hardware away from the laptop. They help to improve airflow and prevent your devices from overheating. Additionally, most laptop cooling pads include fans that help increase air circulation and help to speed up the cooling process.
Cooling stands are also great for cooling down other devices like iPads and consoles. Not only do they work hard at cooling the base of your laptop, but some will also cool down the surface area too. So, your laptops are less likely to suffer heat-related discomfort.
What Types of Laptop Cooling Pads are there?
There are several types of laptop cooling pads. Both active and passive cooling pads can feature multiple fans, while some have a single fan. Some are powered by USB, while others require an AC adapter. Some have built-in stands so you can prop up your laptop, while others don’t.
- Active Cooling Pads
- Passive Cooling Pads
- Air Vacuum Coolers
What Are Active Cooling Pads?
Active cooling pads are the most common type of coolers. They work by increasing airflow and include fans that help circulate air faster. Active laptop cooling pads typically have from 1 to 6 built in fans. These fans help to keep your laptop cool by blowing air into it. The most common type of active cooling pad has built in USB hubs. And some need power from an outlet.
What Are Passive Cooling Pads?
Passive cooling pads are devices that also help to cool down your gaming laptop. They sit underneath your device and transfer heat away from the motherboard, CPU and other components. Unlike active coolers they do not have built in fans or other moving parts. This makes them quieter, and they also use less power.
But they are not as effective and should only be used for light loads. There are a few different types available, and some are made with aluminium and some of copper. Passive coolers are also good at reducing the amount of dust and other debris that can accumulate inside your laptop.
What Are Air Vacuum Laptop Coolers?
An air vacuum laptop cooler is a small block about 17cm in length and 10cm wide that plugs directly into the side of your laptop via a USB port. It then uses the exhausts to create suction to pull air away.
Air vacuum laptop coolers can be used for laptops, gaming consoles, and other electronic devices. And they are a great option for people who want to cool down their device quickly while on the go.
The Benefits of a Laptop Cooling Pad?
The benefits of adding a laptop cooling pad to your laptop accessories will most definitely outweigh the price given a laptop cooling pads worth. What a laptop cooler will do, is not only help control your laptop’s temperatures. It will also help reduce the noise levels created by your internal fans. Those with an adjustable height, will help position the laptop at a more workable angle. And this may help reduce neck strain because it will bring the display closer.
Helpful Content: I just received the new Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop and tested it to answer the question. Do Razer laptops overheat. You may be surprised with the outcome.
The ergonomic benefits of placing a cooling pad are huge. I find this to be the best part of owning a laptop cooler and the main reason I have decided to hold onto mine. Other benefits include. better performance from your CPU and GPU which means more fps. Plus, the additional USB ports some have will help charge or power other devices you may have, like your headset, mouse, or gaming controller.
Cooling Pad Main Benefits
- Additional USB Ports
- Reduce Operating Temperature
- Faster CPU & GPU Performance
- Low Ambient Temperature
- Positioning for Gaming & Writing
- Help Keep the Laptop Raised Up
- Increase Life Span of Components
Do Laptop Cooling Pads Work FAQs
Are Laptop Cooling Pads Worth it?
Laptop cooling pads are worth it, if you want to extend the life of your gaming laptop by preventing it from overheating. They are also great for improved performance. However, they are not necessary for all laptops. And may not be worth the investment if you don’t use your laptop for gaming or other intensive tasks.
Do all Cooling Pads Work with Gaming Laptops?
Laptop cooling pads are an effective tool for cooling down a laptop. The effectiveness will vary depending on the make and model of the cooling pad. However, most active or passive cooling pads should work with all laptops for gaming. But you must choose one that is big enough to accommodate your laptop.
How Much are Laptop Cooling Pads?
Laptop cooling pads can range in price from around $30 to $100. The price depends on the features, such as the number and type of fans, the size of the pad and whether it includes a USB hub or other features like RGB elements.
Do Cooling Pads help with FPS?
A cooling pad can help increase your frame rates (fps), but this will depend on many factors, including laptop model, the hardware inside and settings used.
Do Laptop Coolers Work?
Gaming laptop coolers do work. If your gaming laptop tends to run hot, a cooling pad can help cool it down and prolong its lifespan by preventing it from overheating and suffering potential damage. But will only reduce the temps by a few degrees.
How Hot Should A Gaming Laptop Get?
A gaming laptop should not exceed temperatures of around 90 degrees Celsius during intense usage. It is recommended to keep the temperature below 80 degrees Celsius to ensure the longevity of the hardware.
Conclusion
I have confirmed cooling pads do work with laptops. Ok, you are not going to pull up trees but, a laptop cooling pad will help extend your laptop’s lifespan as it will help reduce the operating temperatures. Just remember, to ensure the size is suited to fit your laptop. You may also be in need of something new, check out the 10 best Razer Blade 15 laptop accessories I have used myself.
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Thanks for reading, Cya Next Time!
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Ultimate Guide: best Gaming Laptop Accessories
In-Depth Guide: How Hot Should A Gaming Laptop Get
