Cooling Devices for PS3

[matthewrounds]

Hello,

This is my second post and I hope that I have put this in the correct location. Ok, I have a PS3 on a shelf above my TV, about 6 feet in the air. On the same shelf is a Wii, XBOX 360, and HD DVD add on. I am not trying to brag just trying to indicate that the four foot shelf is pretty full and really restricts air flow. Also, please don't hate on me for having the HD-DVD add-on as the only movie I own in HD-DVD is King Kong which came with it. I use the HD-DVD for netflix movies. I own about ten blu ray movies at present.

Now to my question. I have considered buying some type of cooler for the PS3 system. I initially was lying the machine horizontally on the shelf, but it seems to get better air flow standing up in its present position. I am not really comfortable with this for a number of reasons. Mainly I live in California (earthquakes) and my son like to climb. I really want the PS3 to lay horizontal. I have looked into the cooling devices that are available and am not really convinced this is the way to go. I read a while back about the cooling devices for the XBOX 360 actually melting to the XBOX. I really don't want this for either of my devices that overheat. I saw a new device, link here:

http://www.ebgames.com/product.asp?product%5Fid=802570

that intrigued me, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas that worked for them. I have also considered utilizing a laptop cooling pad, but nothing seems to make sense in terms of orientation with the PS3. I also built a USB fan from an internal fan for a CPU tower but this doesn't really work as most vans need 10V at 110mA and the USB cannot supply this adequately. I also purchased one of those USB fans which are designed to cool the user (these are kind of gimmicky and the fan blades are really loud. Has anyone thought about utilizing some sort of heat sink with the PS3 which could be more easily cooled externally?

I would love to get some suggestions. I also don't want to hear that I should put the PS3 in a more open space. I have tried the unit in an open space on my shelf with nothing else around and the unit still gets a little hotter than I would like. Also I am interested in anyone's feedback on the sound produced by any PS3 cooling device. I use a Sony home theater in a box which cancels out a lot of the noise, but I don't want any cooling device which is too loud.

I know this is a long thread, but thanks in advance.

Matthew Rounds

[Zaphod]

I have the same set up and there is even a shelf above the three as well as a wall right behind it. Basically the heat can escape in three directions, to the sides and the front. I have never had a problem with overheating issues, and no issues with preformance. Typically you only have one console on at a time, however my PS3 is on running Folding@home, Xbox 360 is on most of the time, and the Wii is on 24 hours a day with Wii Connect 24 which still causes the console to generate heat.

I personally will never use a aftermarket cooler. Why? Mostly because if it does brick your console, the manufacturer of the console can technically deny coverage under the warranty. Also the performance gain is minimal, since there are no apps to really test the effectiveness of them.

Just my 2 cents...

[owmyback]

Hi, Matthew.
I've had to figure out how to keep my PS3 cool too so this seemed worthy of my first post.

I purchased the Thermaltake Mobile Fan II usb fan (from Amazon, I think) and it works great.
http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Mo...6013286&sr=8-1

In my situation I had to place my PS3 horizontally in a cabinet that is mostly ventilated only from the front (with the door open). The Thermaltake fan works nicely and operates quietly at the voltage supplied by usb, and the speed is adjustable. After some experimentation I found that it kept the PS3 coolest when I placed another shelf as close as possible above the PS3, with the usb fan tightly sandwiched between the warm end of the PS3 and the cabinet wall; the usb fan blows the hot air out of the front of the cabinet while pulling cool air into the other side and around the back of the PS3.

Hope this helps.

-Jeff

[jbuttler007]

Yes the PS3 puts out some heat but why do you want to try to cool it? That heat is below the critical running temp of the PS3, it's normal. Mine has been on for about 12 day while running Folding@Home and there is no problem.

[Greenmatiz2]

I bet that thing is loud.

[BLu-Balls]

It will be loud. I bought one of the Intec fans and returned it a week later. I think that the PS3's cooling system is enough. I have found that the only time the PS3 runs truly hot is when you are leaving it on Folding for hours at a time.

[Marine Mike]

I've noticed recently that my PS3 has been overheating when playing Bioshock.

As of now has there been any products that someone would recommend to help cool it down?

[RubberDucky]

How do you know it is over heating cause when I play a game I hear the fan kick on which is a lil loud but if I touch it its not hot or anything, so really my question is, is it normal for the fan to be on and its only when I am playing a game if I am just on the menu screen or folding its silent

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

I've noticed recently that my PS3 has been overheating when playing Bioshock.

As of now has there been any products that someone would recommend to help cool it down?

my suggestions are have the ps3 flat and keep it in a nice cool area where there is not to much heat. avoid having it laying on the carpet. keep the ps3 away from dusty areas and leave it in a place where it can breathe. if your ps3 is exactally how i mentioned then i dont know what to say

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by RubberDucky

How do you know it is over heating cause when I play a game I hear the fan kick on which is a lil loud but if I touch it its not hot or anything, so really my question is, is it normal for the fan to be on and its only when I am playing a game if I am just on the menu screen or folding its silent

I know its overheating because it works for a good 10-15 minutes and then it suddenly stops working at random points.

So I turn it on and off and it wouldn't even load ANY game.

I turn it off and leave it unplugged for 10 minutes and have it cool down and then I get the same response as I did the first time with it freezing after 10-15 minutes.

[Marine Mike]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

my suggestions are have the ps3 flat and keep it in a nice cool area where there is not to much heat. avoid having it laying on the carpet. keep the ps3 away from dusty areas and leave it in a place where it can breathe. if your ps3 is exactally how i mentioned then i dont know what to say

I currently have it on its side as I thought that was the best way to have it. Also I never had this issue before I started to play this game (Bioshock). As I don't even hear my fans starting to kick into high gear, but I do hear them working (just quietly).

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by RubberDucky

How do you know it is over heating cause when I play a game I hear the fan kick on which is a lil loud but if I touch it its not hot or anything, so really my question is, is it normal for the fan to be on and its only when I am playing a game if I am just on the menu screen or folding its silent

i believe the fan has different levels like low, normal, and high or something like that and im not 100% sure how many levels there are. well if it goes to high then you know that its overheating if the fan sounds crazy but sometimes it will sound really loud for a moment and then goes down to normal level depending on how much cool air is going into the ps3. its possible that your fan is running on normal level unless its loud enough to sound almost like its out of control or something like that

[RubberDucky]

Originally Posted by MOONPHASE

i believe the fan has different levels like low, normal, and high or something like that and im not 100% sure how many levels there are. well if it goes to high then you know that its overheating if the fan sounds crazy but sometimes it will sound really loud for a moment and then goes down to normal level depending on how much cool air is going into the ps3. its possible that your fan is running on normal level unless its loud enough to sound almost like its out of control or something like that

No it doesnt sound extremely loud and it comes and goes through out the game I am playing and not even close to how loud my 360 sounds but It has plenty of breathing room since my stand has no back or sides on it but does get dusty have to clean it almost everyday

[ToEhrIsHuman]

You should periodically use a hand-held vacuum to clean the vents all around the unit as well. If the vents become clogged with dust, hair, etc. the system will overheat and eventually stop working altogether.

[Marine Mike]

Okay now that we have determined to keep it ventilated and clean it, what are good Cooling Devices that are now available for the PS3?

[MOONPHASE]

Originally Posted by RubberDucky

No it doesnt sound extremely loud and it comes and goes through out the game I am playing and not even close to how loud my 360 sounds but It has plenty of breathing room since my stand has no back or sides on it but does get dusty have to clean it almost everyday

then it must just be on normal but yeah you really need to get rid of that dust problem

[RubberDucky]

Originally Posted by ToEhrIsHuman

You should periodically use a hand-held vacuum to clean the vents all around the unit as well. If the vents become clogged with dust, hair, etc. the system will overheat and eventually stop working altogether.

yeah i deff need to do that but been lazy....also anyone ever use the "self clean" option on the ps3 which i am sure its not made for that but turning it off and press some button dont remeber which one and the fan goes to hyper drive for 30 sec and i guess its supposed to blow all the dust out

[Chocolatejas]

Originally Posted by owmyback

Hi, Matthew.
I've had to figure out how to keep my PS3 cool too so this seemed worthy of my first post.

I purchased the Thermaltake Mobile Fan II usb fan (from Amazon, I think) and it works great.
http://www.thermaltake.com/accessori...mobilefan2.htm

In my situation I had to place my PS3 horizontally in a cabinet that is mostly ventilated only from the front (with the door open). The Thermaltake fan works nicely and operates quietly at the voltage supplied by usb, and the speed is adjustable. After some experimentation I found that it kept the PS3 coolest when I placed another shelf as close as possible above the PS3, with the usb fan tightly sandwiched between the warm end of the PS3 and the cabinet wall; the usb fan blows the hot air out of the front of the cabinet while pulling cool air into the other side and around the back of the PS3.

Hope this helps.

-Jeff

So this will go on and off with the PS3? Currently I have a 4" fan that I have to turn on and off myself. If this would turn on/off automatically that would be sweet.

http://www.amazon.com/Thermaltake-Mo...5988713&sr=8-1

[kingofgrills]

I currently use the Pelican Aircooler as a supplemental fan for the PS3, and it works really well. It has its own power supply and a built in thermostat, so it will turn itself off or on low when it's cool. Plus, it's fairly quiet, and it's fit and finish blend in well with the PS3's sleek lines.
I must stress that I only use it for prolonged gaming, or when the weather is really warm. For other times, I simply leave the unit off and let the PS3's own cooling system work. I don't use the fan when watching Blu-rays, unless the room temperatures are insanely warm.

Oh, and stay away from the Nyko Intercooler. I originally bought the Pelican Aircooler and the Nyko Intercooler to compare the two, and it was no contest. The Nyko unit sucks compared to the Pelican. It sits like a clunky brick on the rear of the PS3, and it's pretty loud. Plus the Nyko must be manually switched on and off each time separate from the PS3. The Pelican Aircooler has an internal thermostat, so it will automatically turn itself off when the console has cooled sufficiently. Stay clear of the Nyko Intercooler.


The PS3 does a decent job of cooling, but I'm a firm believer that every little bit can help prolong the life of equipment.

[Pelican170]

Originally Posted by Marine Mike

Okay now that we have determined to keep it ventilated and clean it, what are good Cooling Devices that are now available for the PS3?

Ive read on some posts here about the cooling fans for the ps3 that they arent good to use becuase it draws additional power from its power source... although i dont know if that would really do anything or if its bad at all. I know that there are few different types of cooling fans that you can use for the ps3. just google "ps3 cooling fans" and you'll find em...