Recently I've seen quite a few posts on various BOINC forums asking about what to do to get a machine running cool again. So... Being a PC builder myself, I've put together a few words on the subject which can be found on my SETI/BOINC page <a href="www.garethlock.shorturl.com/index.htm?seti">here</a>

Hope this helps

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<img src="http://boinc.mundayweb.com/one/stats.php?userID=444&amp;trans=off">

URL "Not Found", Gareth.

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"We have met the enemy and he is us." -- Pogo
Greetings from coastal Washington state, the scenic US Pacific Northwest.

[removed IP address link]

I'll correct the error in the link <a href="http://www.garethlock.shorturl.com/index.htm?seti">here</a>.

Try not to rely on the IP address please as this can change.

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<img src="http://boinc.mundayweb.com/one/stats.php?userID=444&amp;trans=off">

I have also seen some people talking about raising their laptop to get better cooling. I decided to test this theory. I have a Dell 8200 1.9Ghz, 512M SDRAM running cpdn. The fans are always running hard. I obtained a fan monitor program http://www.diefer.de/i8kfan/index.html which provides me with the temp data I'm looking for. For all results the ambient temp is 27C and the initial idle CPU temp is 54C (no fans running). Start CPDN and let the temp stabilise for an hour gave a 70C running temp. Next I raised the laptop by 1/2 inch at the 4 corners. Here is the the surprise, not ONE DEGREE of running temperature change seen over the next hour of operation. The hard drive temp was a constant 54C all of the time.

In light of this the CPU can run comfortably up to 85C before becoming a concern, so my opinion based on these results is that my laptop is up to the task of running cpdn despite the 16C increase in temp. One thing I am curious about is whether or not these laptop cooling mats provide any real temp decrease whilst running cpdn? Has anyone tried these?

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&gt; Next I raised the laptop
&gt; by 1/2 inch at the 4 corners. Here is the the surprise, not ONE DEGREE of
&gt; running temperature change seen over the next hour of operation.

Bones,

The heat from my Dell laptop (D800, 1.6Ghz, 1MB) split the wooden top of my solid cherry desk. :( I bought a passive cooler to raise it up to keep the desk rather than the computer cool!

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