Should I always keep my laptop fan running ?

JordanJP · Oct 31, 2010

Hey

I've got an HP Envy 17 laptop, bought it in August and love it ! In the BIOS there's an option that says "Fan Always On" Enable or Disable. It's always been enabled and I haven't had any issues. There are times when I use my computer for hours on end such as gaming for example, and as far as I know the fan doesn't really make that much noise. In other words it's not really bothersome.

Anyway just wondering If there are any benefit(s) in Disabling this option ?

Thanks

Jordan

Lemur · Oct 31, 2010

If you have software that monitors temperature, and your system stays cool, then I would have the software control the fan.

If your system runs hot, then I would always have the fan running.

Remember to keep the vents on a notebook clear, leaving a notebook on a soft surface such as a bed may block venting.

205tim · Nov 1, 2010

On my laptop I have the same option in BIOS, and it was by default on the 'Always On' option. As you state it isn't very noisey at all, I would leave it as I don't really see any benefits of disabling it.

If you want, maybe try comparing tempratures using HWMoniter or similar with the fans "Always On" and "Disabled". My thinking is at low work loads, eg. browsing the forums, temps will be noticably lower with the fans on. Under high load, eg. gaming the fans will come on anyway so no difference really. I'd personally prefer a cool laptop than a silent one, but up to you if you find the fans noisey.

Bill2 · Nov 1, 2010

1) HPs in general run hot (which brands dont?) and Envy is no exception, yours would probably have a core i5 or i7 and a mobility radeon, so it makes sense to leave the fan always on as long as its not bothering you.

2) AFAIK, HP doesnt have a propreitary fan control utility. What you can do is download and install speedfan. If its able to detect fans, you may be able to control fan speeds and threshold temperatures. Many a time, OEMs err on the side of caution and code pretty low threshold temps. HP, E.g. had such an issue with Nvidia cards heating up like crazy on some models, they then released a bios update which changed the algo to switch on the fan earlier.

LiquidSnak · Nov 1, 2010

The few ASUS laptops I've handled run cooler. HP's are indeed notoriously hot, however, and I would leave the fan running if it doesn't bother you.

mickey megabyte · Nov 1, 2010

benefits of having less fan? reduced noise, and a bit more battery life (and possibly a warmer lap

).

my hp netbook has a very noisy fan, that always seems to be running 100%, but doesn't run that hot (at stock speeds).

if you disable 'fan always on', it will still turn itself on when necessary, and slow itself down during cool periods.

i suppose it all depends just how loud your fan is - would it bother people sat near you in a library, for example?

reading your post again, it seems that yours isn't a problem

LiquidSnak · Nov 1, 2010

It really does vary. My sister and I had the same model laptop, her fan had a noticeable hum while mine was fairly silent.

Zeplash · Nov 1, 2010

If your running a radeon graphics card install "Expertool" and play around with it,its got some great functions..

mickey megabyte · Nov 1, 2010

does expertool control cpu fans?

JordanJP · Nov 1, 2010

Zeplash said:
If your running a radeon graphics card install "Expertool" and play around with it,its got some great functions..

Hey I googled Expertool and after looking into it from my understanding it can only be used with Nvidia cards. Am I correct in saying this ?

JordanJP · Nov 1, 2010

Actually I did find this version that seems to work with my card Download Gainward Expertool v.4.0 for ATI | techPowerUp

However it's an old version I wonder If there's an updated version around ?

mickey megabyte · Nov 1, 2010

it won't do anything to your cpu fan.

if however, you wish to tweak your ati graphics card, try ati tray tools instead.

linnemeyerhere · Nov 1, 2010

JordanJP,
Cooling fans are also great air cleaners they suck in dirty air and deposit it on the fan and components and exhaust hot clean air. I would clean your laptop with compressed air on a regular basis either way but if you leave the fans on high then clean much more often. My thinking is to let the laptop choose it's fan speed to keep cool and if you notice the fans running longer and harder for a given task then it's a good bet it's time for a cleaning.

Should I always keep my laptop fan running ?

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