PS3 newbie question: where to apply thermal pads? do i need them?

[verdiss]

i have a ps3 super slim (CECH-4003C) thats running 61deg cpu and 65deg rsx idle, i cant even imagine how much it will be when ill be actually playing, thats why im gonna change the thermal paste. honestly maybe these numbers are normal but they scare me so i still wanna change the thermal paste, the numbers do seem a little bit high to me. while i was doing my research i found out there are also thermal pads (sorry this is actually my first time doing something like this) and im wondering where i should apply them and what thickness should i choose. can anyone recommend me anything? like an applying guide or something? maybe a video? i saw a thermal paste replacement video but nothing about thermal pads. i saw a few posts on here about where to apply them but i really dont wanna mess up. i dont really have the money to go to a professional (even though there are none in my city) so id rather do the job myself, and i dont have the money for a new ps3 so id really like to 'restore' this one i have. do i even need thermal pads or is just a new thermal paste enough? sorry for so many questions but i really am lost and dont even know who to consult regarding this since im new to all of this. thanks to anyone who'll answer.

 

[Joe Robertson]

IMO you should enable the syscon fan curve and stop stressing out over PS3 temperatures, to my knowledge the super slim has zero temperature related faults

Those temps are super low and cranking the fan on a super slim to keep those temps will not help with anything other than giving your fan an early death, the paste seems fine from those temps you shared and I don't think super slims are old enough to warrant the risk and expense of going over the pads as a newbie. The super slim is reliable for the most part, the pads are fine and there's nothing to worry about. Stop monitoring the temperatures of your console

 

[aomsin2526]

That is a normal temp for superslim. Because of lower power usage, sony also downgrade the cooler too. Balance each other out.

By idle you mean on XMB? If yes, its not actually idle. Because XMB do use lot of rsx to render.

I fully expects your temp to be around 75c max at max load over long time. It is completely fine.

My overclocked/overvolted 800/975 40nm superslim runs at 84c max if max load over long time. 75c avg. 34% fans. Pretty fine actually.

 

[Joe Robertson]

That is a normal temp for superslim. Because of lower power usage, sony also downgrade the cooler too. Balance each other out.

By idle you mean on XMB? If yes, its not actually idle. Because XMB do use lot of rsx to render.

I fully expects your temp to be around 75c max at max load over long time. It is completely fine.

My overclocked/overvolted 800/975 40nm superslim runs at 84c max if max load over long time. 75c avg. 34% fans. Pretty fine actually.

Oh shit ur one of the ppl with badwsds slims, nice!

surprised you didnt pick out a 28nm slim as they havent been looked into too far overclocking wise