Cooling Devices for PS3 - Blu-ray Forum

matthewrounds · 05-06-2007, 03:22 AM

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 · 05-06-2007, 03:41 AM

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...

jbuttler007 · 05-06-2007, 05:59 AM

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 · 05-06-2007, 07:41 AM

I bet that thing is loud.

BLu-Balls · 05-06-2007, 12:56 PM

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 · 11-06-2008, 02:18 PM

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?

owmyback · 05-06-2007, 04:20 AM

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

Chocolatejas · 11-06-2008, 03:28 PM

Quote:

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 · 11-06-2008, 06:23 PM

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.

05-06-2007, 03:22 AM	#1
matthewrounds Expert Member Member since:Apr 2007 Location:Tucson, AZ Home Theater Gallery:19 Blu-ray collection:52 Trading Score:21	Cooling Devices for PS3 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

05-06-2007, 04:20 AM	#7
owmyback New Member Member since:May 2007	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 Last edited by crackinhedz; 11-06-2008 at 10:15 PM. Reason: link broken

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05-06-2007, 03:41 AM	#2
Zaphod Blu-ray Samurai Member since:Apr 2007 Location:A small planet somewhere in the vicinity of Betelgeuse. Blu-ray collection:350 Trading Score:4	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...

05-06-2007, 05:59 AM	#3
jbuttler007 Active Member Member since:Mar 2007 Location:Ayase-Shi, Japan	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.

05-06-2007, 07:41 AM	#4
Greenmatiz2 Banned Member since:Apr 2007	I bet that thing is loud.

05-06-2007, 12:56 PM	#5
BLu-Balls Expert Member Member since:Dec 2006 Location:TO Canada Blu-ray collection:867 DVD collection:1 Blu-ray reviews: 10	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.

11-06-2008, 02:18 PM	#6
Marine Mike The Busey Member since:Apr 2008 Location:Ohio Home Theater Gallery:10 Blu-ray collection:120 Blu-ray reviews:4 Trading Score:4	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?

11-06-2008, 06:23 PM	#9
kingofgrills Blu-ray Guru Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Dec 2007 Location:PDX Home Theater Gallery:31 4K collection:5 Blu-ray collection:81 Trading Score:31	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.

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