Alrighty, so yesterday I finally entered the next generation when I traded an old but nifty laptop (with occasional cooling problems) for a friend's PS3 (with occasional cooling problems). Basically, it's a CECHC04 60gb model, European, with (software) backwards compatibility. Apparently the previous owner messed with it to get rid of cooling problems, only to aggravate them in the end. The fan is extremely noisy when it comes on, and the unit overheats after 10 minutes when playing PS3 games - it runs smoothly when using the XMB, playing PS1 games and the like. This backwards compatibility is nice 'n all, but I have no use for it as I already have a TEST PS2 that plays pretty much everything I throw at it. So I have to decide whether it's worth it keeping this unit around for PS3 games, watching BDs and as a media center (which occasionally overheats, as well). I've tried googling for cooling solutions, such as a new fan or cooling paste, but there's a bajillion forum topics out there, and a lot of dead links, so I don't really know where to start. What would you do? Sell it for parts (it looks brand new and the lasers are 100% fine)? Attempt to fix it? Cheers!
The fan may be kicking up to high speed in a short amount of time because of too much thermal paste. I would start by opening it up and taking a look, have a little artic silver 5 or the like on hand when you do. Remember less is more as long as the entire surface gets covered. The thermal paste should just fill the gaps so more surface area touches, some people look like there trying to insulate it with their applications.. sony included. Also to be clear when you say it "overheats" is it powering itself down each time or? Do you get a gray box in the upper right telling you it's going to power down to protect itself? Or is it just that your fan gets audible?
Alrighty, I'm giving it a little test run. Basically, the fan kicks into maximum gear after 5 minutes in the XMB, and stays that way while watching videos and browsing the web. I haven't had it shut down automatically or give any overheating warnings, but the previous owner told me that those happened to him very regularly. Currently installing Wipeout HD to max out the unit, see how it goes. I didn't know 'too much thermal paste' could be a problem. I think, given the previous owner's messing around, this might very well be the problem. Thanks!
Hmm, getting a lot of sudden shutdowns now. First one after almost two hours, one 30 minutes later, one 15 minutes later and one before even booting the game! Odd, as the unit doesn't feel warm to the touch at all. The air isn't particularly hot either. Will try my luck with some Arctic Silver 5.
If it's not expelling much or any warm air after the fan has already speed up then the thermal compound/heatsink/fan are not doing their job
