New optimus VI owner is confused

[bofett]

Got my Optimus VI after a pretty good build/presales experience with PC Specialist. Quite happy with it, aside from one thing.

Something with the base vent arrangements is bugging me.

Look at the photo here, of the fans. http://www.kitguru.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/4960159.jpg

Now to me, they look like standard centrifugal fans that would suck up through the base, over the heat pipe radiators and out the back edge of the machine.

So why then, does the base of the Optimus look like this: https://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/images/products/7178/11_big.jpg

To me, the fans would suck up through those two large vents near the large triangular feet. But they appear to be blanked off with some sort of gloss plastic! Note the difference to the lower half of the middle vent in that photo, which is open with a typical laptop dust "filter".

Where it gets REALLY odd is the attached photos, of my machine. They confirm the photo above is correct in terms of vent appearance on my laptop. But notice the image on the Clevo introduction sheet- the two fans (CPU/GPU) are clearly visible, as I would expect. As far as I can tell from the outside, the glossy stuff isn't some sort of filter.

Anyone got any ideas? This seems a really poor design to me (unless it's some sort of transport dust cover that's not been removed) and may result in a DSR based return. As there's a potential DSR issue here I'm loathe to crack open the case.

I've rung PCSpecialist and sent an email with these photos.

I'm sure I MUST be missing something here?

 

[bofett]

Ok, I've checked and I'm now officially stumped.

That glossy blanking is actually moulded into the base cover. On the inside it's recessed by a small amount (so it isn't as thick as the rest of the cover).

Seriously, what the heck is going on? Why would they be deliberately blanked out like this. The only intake on the base is indeed that central half vent, and the two three row sections by the side vents.

This can't be good for temperatures!

No reply from PCSpecialist via email (to both the chap I spoke to last night on the phone, who was "watching for my email", and to the email I sent to the general enquiries address)

 

[keynes]

Have you recorded your temperatures?

 

[Edd1e]

Thinking about getting one of these with one of the main selling features being the independent cpu and GPU piping and fans which should give superior cooling and therefore lower fan noise than some of the big name brand equivalents at this price point. However that could all be negated if their draw is restricted.

Very interested to see how this pans out.

 

[bofett]

Have you recorded your temperatures?

Am running a 15 minute idle test/c. 1hr prime 95 test at the moment. CPUID is recording min/max temps with the laptop on its side to maximise air flow.

Thinking about getting one of these with one of the main selling features being the independent cpu and GPU piping and fans which should give superior cooling and therefore lower fan noise than some of the big name brand equivalents at this price point. However that could all be negated if their draw is restricted.

Very interested to see how this pans out.

To be honest, aside from this I am pretty stoked with this machine. Looks very nice.

However, I genuinely can't see why the heck these vents are blocked off like this. Air entering the laptop appears to have to run over the ram area, flow along the bottom of the base cover, make a 90 degree turn up into the fan intakes (through what looks like a 3-4mm high gap) and then out through the fan/heat pipe rads/rear vents.

It's obviously been deliberately done (or else is a major, major manufacturing cock up at both Clevo and PC Specialist) but I can't for the life of me think why. Every other laptop I've ever seen has these fans with a direct intake. There's nothing else in there AFAIK that would require an active airflow.

 

[bofett]

Ok, idle results are in. Ended up with the laptop sat on a table to avoid any "oh, it's the heatpipes bruv" type stuff.

Sat there, plugged in. Default programs running, steam downloading. Max recorded CPU temp is 83 deg C (though that may just be a momentary peak). It's sat at 62-64 deg C as I watch it. Utilisation recorded by CPUID peak is 22%, now currently 0-2%.

Time for prime 95.

Edit: Hold on, it's now sat at around 50. Stress time.

 

[bofett]

After 50 minutes of Prime95 (not the most thorough test admittedly) CPU temp max was 90 degrees.

I don't actually believe this, but it's looking pretty good so far...

 

[ubuysa]

You might want to search these forums, I'm pretty sure this question has been asked about other laptop chassis already. The answer in those cases was that the "film" is there for a reason and it should not be removed.

Certainly the temps you're getting demonstrate that sufficient cooling air is getting in. If you're really worried don't email PCS - phone them.

 

[bofett]

After some discussions on the Clevo forum, and some gaming, it turns out that this is indeed as things are supposed to be.

It actually works quite well, sat down with it on my lap the central vent can really shift some air when both fans kick in. Saints Row 3 maxed out at 1080p doesn't get it much above 83 deg C CPU.

Cooling gets a thumbs up from me.

 

[ubuysa]

After some discussions on the Clevo forum, and some gaming, it turns out that this is indeed as things are supposed to be.

It actually works quite well, sat down with it on my lap the central vent can really shift some air when both fans kick in. Saints Row 3 maxed out at 1080p doesn't get it much above 83 deg C CPU.

Cooling gets a thumbs up from me.

Thanks for coming back on this, glad you're now a happy bunny!

BTW. If you hope to have (more?) children in the future you'd be well advised not to use a high-spec laptop on your lap. It's, errm, not just laptops that don't work too well if you get them hot....!

 

[bofett]

Thanks for coming back on this, glad you're now a happy bunny!

BTW. If you hope to have (more?) children in the future you'd be well advised not to use a high-spec laptop on your lap. It's, errm, not just laptops that don't work too well if you get them hot....!

Fair point. Without being too specific, the laptop is small enough and my legs long enough that heat is kept away from where it shouldn't be....