Mx Specs: Testing

TESTING

SVALT model approximate performance comparison, graphic rendering.

The Mx product line was designed to exceed all prior models with extreme cooling capabilities. The Mx's massive thermally conductive heatsink silently pulls heat from the laptop to help reduce laptop temperatures and quiet laptop built-in fans. The Mx’s optional fan cooling system helps tackle extra high-intensity and long-duration workloads.

Test Results

SVALT product cooling and audio performance shown in the graph above is approximate and based on a wide range of averaged and normalized testing. SVALT conducts a variety of tests through conceptual research, product development and final production proving phases. Test results are meant to provide a more general understanding of built-in laptop cooling systems and how they respond to supplemental cooling. Actual results vary depending on a SVALT product’s configuration, fan, fan speed setting, laptop model, laptop configuration, laptop operation, workstation setup, external monitor setup, and overall testing conditions.

Mx tests were conducted with multiple Mx model configurations. In general, results were more similar than dissimilar between the different Mx model configurations. When selecting a Mx model, it is recommended to select a model based on a desired workstation setup, such as the dock supports to position the laptop upright with screen closed and moved aside to free up desk space, the high stand supports to use the built-in display and have it raised higher for improved viewing ergonomics, or the low stand supports to have a low-profile setup with the screen closed or with the screen open to type directly on the laptop keyboard.

Slight cooling advantages are expected with the following Mx model configurations:

• MxS-lo / MxSW-lo / MxS-hi / MxSW-hi: The low and high stand supports have a nearer to horizontal laptop support orientation, which allows the weight of the laptop to press down onto the heatsink’s conductive coupling plate, which in turn increases conductive heat transfer between the laptop and heatsink.
  
  
• MxD / MxDW: The dock supports allow for the simultaneous use of both the 140mm and 80mm fans, which increases both heatsink and laptop cooling. The extra large size of 140mm fan provides both maximum heatsink cooling. The 80mm fan is positioned to flush out hot air, and for the 2021+ MacBook Pro, and other laptops that include a center intake vent along the back/hinge edge, the 80mm fan drive cooling air into the center intake vent to directly cool processors.
  
  
• MxD / MxDW / MxS-hi / MxSW-hi: The 140mm fan's larger size generates slightly more airflow for a given amount of noise generation. The 140mm fan's larger size spans the full width of the heatsink and nearly span the full length, which moves more cooling air over/through the heatsink cooling fins and removes more heat from the heatsink.
  
  
• MxD / MxDW / MxS-lo / MxSW-lo: The dock and low stand supports position laptops with a center intake vent so that the 80mm fan can simultaneously cool the heatsink and drive air into the laptop for direct internal processor cooling.
  
  
• MxD / MxS-hi / MxS-lo: The aluminum supports have a thinner 0.300 inch thickness compared to 0.500 inch wood support thickness. Compared to the wood supports, the aluminum dock supports improve cooling airflow in general, while the aluminum stand supports improve cooling airflow when used with smaller 13-inch and 14-inch laptop models.
  
  
• Mx All Models: The heatsink with space black anodize aluminum finish has a slight improvement in emissivity cooling compared to the heatsink with raw aluminum finish. This is only a slight improvement that is most apparent with passive airflow cooling, and is less notable when a fan is added to provide active airflow cooling.
  
  

Slight cooling advantages are expected with the following Mx and laptop models:

• 2021+ MacBook Pros: The 2021+ MacBook Pro includes a built-in fan cooling system with a center intake vent along the bottom/hinge edge, as well as two exhaust vents on both sides of the intake vent. The MxD and MxDW with both 140mm and 80mm fans running simultaneously increases cooling performance. The MxS-lo and MxSW-lo with 80mm fan also increases cooling performance. This is the case for this laptop model, and for laptops with similar built-in cooling systems.
  
  
• 2022+ MacBook Airs: The 2022+ MacBook Air does not include a built-in fan cooling system or associated venting. The MxS-hi and MxSW-hi with 140mm fan increases cooling performance. The MxD and MxDW with 140mm fan also increases cooling performance. This is the case for this laptop model, and for laptops with similar built-in cooling systems.
  
  

Mx tests were conducted with the laptop in closed-screen operation while connected to a single low-resolution external monitor. Comparison tests were conducted with the screen open and without an external monitor for high and low stand models.

As a general condition for all laptop models, adding a high-resolution external monitors and/or multiple external monitors will increase demand on the laptop and generate more heat. Demand and heat generation can be reduced by using only the laptop’s built-in display, or by closing the built-in display and connected to a single low resolution external monitor.

As a general condition for 2021+ MacBook Pro, the laptop runs cooler when in closed-screen operation and connected to a single low-resolution external monitor as compared to using a single high-resolution monitor, multiple monitors, or running in open-screen operation. As a result of the 2021+ MacBook Pro's back edge hinge venting design, these laptops are among a small group of laptops that do not see a large reduction in temperatures when the screen is open, or conversely, are particularly capable when running in clamshell mode.

Mx tests were conducted per SVALT’s testing guidelines that control testing conditions.

See Performance page and Testing Guide page to learn more.