PS3 Uhm, do I really need to reapply thermal paste?

[Spektato]

First time posting here, been lurking for roughly a year. Love the forum and the community around it.

A year ago I got a 2nd hand CECH-C03 to play PS1/PS2/PS3 games on. As soon as I got it I cleaned it out, reapplied thermal paste and replaced the thermal pads. It lasted me several months but unfortunately it gave up (I think for good) a few weeks ago. GPU increasingly glitched out one day while playing Wolfenstein: The New Order and now it starts with a green light but there's no image out of the HDMI or composite ports... RIP RSX.

My biggest regret was not installing CFW to increase the fan curve to something more aggressive. I had HEN on it but flashing for CFW looked too scary and put me off. I've now purchased another backward compatible model (C04) and it looks to be in great shape This time I installed CFW and Webman right away.

I'm going to open it up to clean it out, but this time I am actually unsure whether I need to reapply thermal paste! The warranty sticker is untouched, so I would imagine it badly needs new paste after 14 years but the thermal stats I'm getting look... weirdly good?

Thermal Performance (Ambient Room Temp: 23*C)
Console in TV Cabinet with Active Rear 3-Fan Array (very good airflow, like a wind tunnel)

XMB (Idle)
Target 60*C = 33% Fans
Target 55*C = 40% Fans

Mirrors Edge (Tutorial Area)
Target 60*C = 34-35% Fans
Target 55*C = 40-42% Fans

From what I gather many other people run their fans on constant 45% or 50% and get CPU temps around 65*C+. I would quite happily accept 40% fans in terms of noise and that keeps the CPU below 55*C playing games. That seems cool as a cucumber for a goddamn launch PS3! This is even before I've opened it just to clear out the dust. Curious to know what the experts here think. Should I still do the obvious thing and repaste anyway?

TL;DR: I was going to reapply thermal paste as normal but thermals seem so good for a launch console I'm not sure if I'd just make things worse by opening it up!

 

[db260179]

So from a person who refurbish these old fat ps3's for a hobby.

The following will always be true: Launch PS3 models have the first gen of RSX chips, which run hot.

Now 14 years later the thermal paste under the ihs plates will be dry and not making contact, thus fan speed will be super high or just 100%. Judging from your fan speed on operation i would say that is the case.

Also to note, these are happy to run at 70c with a fan speed at 35% even high load game events.

Old FAT models from CECHH onwards use newer motherboards and the CELL and RSX shrunk the die size to reduce the heat level.

Super slim models dont need delidding as sony basically glued the ihs onto the chip. and they dont get host at all, most run at 55c on high loads.

You can replace the top thermal paste all you like, but wont solve the underlayer of thermal paste between the ihs plate and the silicone.

 

[pinky]

yeah, those superslims must not get very hot. I didn't check the temps, but I bought a superslim about two months ago (didn't mod it). when I was testing out the system, I couldn't even hear the fan it was so low, and I was fairly close to the system. I can sometimes hear the fan of my slim, at least when it's quiet, but that's not the case with the superslim I have. worked perfectly too. I think the ps store issue I had is related to my account and a sony screw up, not the system.

 

[Spektato]

You can replace the top thermal paste all you like, but wont solve the underlayer of thermal paste between the ihs plate and the silicone.

I appreciate that, I'm just not comfortable de-lidding myself, the risk looks too high for someone with my experience!
I'll just stick to cleaning out the dust, and re-applying the top layer of paste, so I really just want to know what others think about replacing the top layer being worth it given my current thermals.

I know these old fat ones run very hot, but you say you think my system is running hot based on my thermals?
I would have thought a launch PS3 maintaining 55*C at only 40% fans in game is pretty damn good! Do you not think so?

What do you think a "good" fan speed would be to maintain 55*C on a launch PS3?

 

[Coro]

I would have thought a launch PS3 maintaining 55*C at only 40% fans in game is pretty damn good!

yeah that is great.

What do you think a "good" fan speed would be to maintain 55*C on a launch PS3?

the speed can vary with each PS3. BTW keeping the temps that low is not required. default for webman's auto setting is 68.

 

[db260179]

I appreciate that, I'm just not comfortable de-lidding myself, the risk looks too high for someone with my experience!
I'll just stick to cleaning out the dust, and re-applying the top layer of paste, so I really just want to know what others think about replacing the top layer being worth it given my current thermals.

I know these old fat ones run very hot, but you say you think my system is running hot based on my thermals?
I would have thought a launch PS3 maintaining 55*C at only 40% fans in game is pretty damn good! Do you not think so?

What do you think a "good" fan speed would be to maintain 55*C on a launch PS3?

Sorry just reread your temps, I use the 8 min running rule to find out what temps you will get.

If you can make sure to have the CFW firmware installed and install the fancontrol package and or webman pkg and set the fan speed to 30% and see how hot the CELL and RSX get on the xmb menu. Leave it for 8 or more minutes then report back the temps.

This gives a true indication on what state they are in, judging from your temps probably get up to 70C or below and just hover there. If its lower, then your heat transfer rate is good and nothing needs to be done.

 

[Spektato]

Sorry just reread your temps, I use the 8 min running rule to find out what temps you will get.

This gives a true indication on what state they are in, judging from your temps probably get up to 70C or below and just hover there. If its lower, then your heat transfer rate is good and nothing needs to be done.

No worries. I'll give your benchmark a go and see what temps I'm getting after 8mins in game and idle at 30% fans.

 

[Spektato]

the speed can vary with each PS3. BTW keeping the temps that low is not required. default for webman's auto setting is 68.

55*C is certainly excessive, but I'd like to give this unit as best a chance I can to last another few years.
Might end up settling for a target of 60*C as 34% fans are really not a noise issue. 40% is workable but very noticeable alright.

68*C may be okay for a slim or late rev phat model, but I think aiming lower on one of the failure prone launch machines is a good idea.

 

[Spektato]

Okay I ran the system at manual 30% fans for 8+ mins as suggested.
Holds well below 70*C in both cases which I think is very good for launch PS3.

I will set a target of 60*C for the moment with around 34% fans.
Good compromise of noise and reliability.

I think I will just open it up to clean out the dust, but I don't currently see the point in reapplying the thermal paste as I doubt it could make much of an improvement.

XMB (Idle)

Mirror's Edge

 

[Coro]

I think I will just open it up to clean out the dust, but I don't currently see the point in reapplying the thermal paste as I doubt it could make much of an improvement.

i agree. the temps are about what mine are at 40% and i believe mine is about due for new paste.