Does this PS3 have a problem?

[JTK]

The PS3 is in what I would call a normal mini rack situation.

On the top of minirack/stand is the Sony 40XBR4 LCD.

One shelf below it with a good three inches plus of shelf and wood seperating the TV and the PS3 and an additional 2-3 inches of "empty air." In other words: A fairly typical mini rack situation. The shelves are open on all sides.

You can feel the heat coming off of this PS3 and the thermometer/thermostat that's on the same wall 6 feet away registers a good 2 degree temperature increase in the room when that PS3 is on for a little while.

At first, I thought the LCD was creating all that heat. It is not. Certainly not all by itself.

The PS3 in this room is putting out a heck of a lot of heat.

I find it hard to believe that this PS3 isn't properly ventilated but perhaps I'm wrong.

I understand that all electronics put out a certain amount of heat, but this strikes me as somewhat excessive.

This PS3 can be used for several hours at a time and I have yet to see any of the overheating warnings or symptoms described in the manual.

More specifically:

The PS3 being referred to here was purchased a few months ago when it was announced that the 60 gig versions were being discontinued.

It was purchased when that price cut happened.

There is a second PS3 in the house. This one was purchased on launch day.

I notice that the launch day PS3 is a little quieter and puts out less heat than this "newer" PS3 does. This newer PS3 almost flirts with 360 territory on fan noise and heat.

There are also some minor aesthetic differences. The "newer" PS3 is more boxy in appearance whereas the launch day PS3 has a few more curves. They're both 60 gigers.

The launch day PS3 that's not in question here is in a virtually identical "mini rack" shelf situation.

This newer PS3 that is in question is noticeably louder and puts out more heat.

Did Sony make some kind of changes even on these 60 gigers that I need to know about or do I have some other kind of problem here? I'm almost 100 percent convinced there is no ventilation problem here.

What I suspect is happening here is that the LCD puts off a little bit of heat and the PS3 puts off a little bit of heat and it's probably a normal situation and that stupid thermostat/thermometer is too close and sensitive.

I'm not really alarmed by any of it but I just wanted to run this by all of you and see what you thought.