I got a PS3 TEST console, which is minty and the warranty seal at the base of the unit, which is still intact. As it is the very first generation with the ZSSR5391A Power supply which heats up the unit rapidly. My concern is that it will affect the lifely-hood of the unit. I have thoughts on replacing the unit PSU with the more power efficient model and replacing the crappy thermal paste used by sony and performing a cleaning of the internals of the PS3. However, it is the warranty seal that stands against me. I understand that this "SEAL" could affect the unit re-saleability, and of course if i ever will be in need of cash. This could be the first item to go. Thus I will like to ask assembler opinion, on what should i do? *PS:Ever since i acquired the unit. I just power it on only once to test the unit and off to the storage shelf it goes. My intention was to Display it and maybe power on again maybe 2-3 years down the road. I have a Slim which i game on every other day~
That "crappy" thermal paste is perfectly fine. If it was really crappy most PS3s would have failed within their first six months of life. Seriously the problem is the RoHS solder. Also the PSU type is not really that important. If someone writes that "this PSU is bad" or that "19 blades fan is awesome" why everyone has to believe on that instantly ? lol There is a reason why the PS3 uses standard white thermal paste instead of AS5 or any other kind of thermal paste with metals in it... Also the PS3 isn't like a PC CPU where pasting just a dab of thermal paste is enough. It's thermal transfer relies on a HEFTY amount of thermal compound being plastered there and almost every single time it leaks on the edges. If you put a silver based thermal compound like AS5 and it gets under the GPU or CPU BGA packages you will have a serious headache trying to clean it out... hehe Just use good quality white thermal compound. It's what the PS3 was designed to use anyway.
If it's working fine and is sealed, opening it will just cause it to lose value. And if it's really a collection item you should not really use it to play games as you will be wearing it down.
