Inspiron 17r SE 7720 cooling pad anomaly

Hi!

I just got a Cooler Master Notepal U3 for my 7720...my gpu temps normally get 67 C max. in a demo run in 3dmark 11...just by using the pad without the fans, the temp goes UP to a whopping 80 C!!
Adding the fans gives around 75 (not placing any directly under the fan intake, that makes it even slightly worse ...).
So...any ideas/suggestions?

Update: Notepal X2 on full speed nets 80 C, with fan speed down a bit and front raised (thought that might be the problem) 90 C. :/ Again without anything it's still 67 C...