How to calculate the power consumption of laptop fans?
How to calculate the power consumption of laptop fans?
Hello.
I'm looking to understand the energy consumption of all components in a laptop during a simulation. I know fans contribute little power, but can I estimate their draw? Are there built-in sensors similar to those that measure GPU and CPU usage? If not, do you have any fan specifications or reliable sources for estimating the power use of laptop fans? I'm assuming they are generally comparable.
You might search for laptop replacement fans similar to this link;
https://www.amazon.com/Replacement-...H-...B0B614H1TR
to find the fan's maximum power consumption. You could try installing a different fan, reducing its current from 1A to 0.1A, and observe if it operates at the minimum amperage. From that point, you can determine power draw using the current and voltage readings.
Obtain a wall meter to measure total power when connected to the wall and deduct all recognized power consumption, knowing everything except the fan, you can solve for the result. You might also access the laptop, take out the fan, and find the amperage and voltage listed somewhere. If it's a 12v fan, all you need is the amperage. A multimeter provides precise readings but could be trickier if you're not confident.
Don't guess, use a clamp-on ammeter. DC can be challenging at low currents; you need to reset it and measure without moving anything.
Google or Duck DuckGo can be your ally.
Look for what you need.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cooling-Zephyru...H63XV?th=1
The details indicate 12W per fan, meaning a maximum of 24W when both fans operate at full speed. It’s much simpler than disassembling the laptop, removing a fan, and connecting a modified extension lead with a multimeter to measure current accurately. Usually, the fans draw less than 12W each.
Size Name: CPU- en GPU-koelventilator
Brand: Anandue
Power connector type: 4-Pin
Voltage: 12 Volts
Wattage: 12 watts
Cooling method: Forced air
Compatible devices: Laptop
Well, the image of the fan I shared displays 12V 1A printed on its body, which indicates a maximum power draw of 12W. That’s what I’m aware of. However, the G14 (2021 model) was labeled as "the world's most powerful gaming laptop," suggesting it likely needs more cooling than a typical laptop:-
https://rog.asus.com/laptops/rog-zephyru.../helpdesk/
Both Zephyrus models will only operate at full speed in the G14 during benchmark tests or possibly during very demanding games. Otherwise, fan speeds will remain lower, influenced by CPU and GPU performance. When the machine is idle, you probably won’t hear the fans running. Regardless, during gaming sessions, you might be using headphones or loud speakers, which could mask the "Dyson hair dyer" noise.
Absolutely accurate. Two Zephyrus G14 laptops would generate a considerable amount of heat (24W at full speed), but this is completely normal and accounted for by the thermal design team.
If you’re looking for a case of a compact high-power fan, consider the Delta FPR0612XHE. It measures just 60mm x 60mm, yet can spin up to 16,500RPM at 12V 2.3A (27.60W):-
https://www.delta-fan.com/pfr0612xhe.html
This model is rated for 12V 3.3A maximum (39.6W):-
https://www.amazon.co.uk/PFR0612XHE-High...B09NBMRNZ2
I own four 80mm x 80mm Delta fans in each of my HP servers—they can become extremely loud. That’s why ear protection is recommended for extended use in large server rooms. Uncommon for laptops, but small powerful fans do exist and provide effective cooling, even though they increase heat generation.
Inductive loads and resistive loads differ in how current behaves. A 1A draw at startup, as expected, may drop to very low levels once operation begins. Additionally, since a fan actively moves air, only part of the energy is transformed into heat and delivered to the device.