Thermal paste question....

[RollingThunder]

Hey all
Could someone verify this? I read over on the playstation forum about this stuff called thermal paste. The poster said that after the warranty was up, he opened up his ps3 and applied the paste to where it's supposed to go(i forgot where he said..I assume the cpu). Now, since I've heard that the paste that is already in the ps3 will break down over time due to heat and long hours of playing, causing the dreaded ylod, the poster said that by applying the paste, it will prolong the life of the ps3. Has anybody else heard of this and if so, where might I find the paste? Any info would be much appreciated! Thanks!

 

[budious]

Thermal paste application isn't routine maintenance for most people, I'd suggest practicing on an old computer before trying something you value like your PS3. If your console is overheating, make sure it is in a spacious and well ventilated area and use a computer duster (compressed gas) to remove the dust that has accumulated, this should be sufficient first step to the problem before resorting to thermal paste replacement.

 

[tinram]

Thermal paste conducts heat between surfaces commonly used between a heat sink and a chip, most electronic stores (RadioShack, Frys etc.) would have it.

 

[tatfa]

You need Artic Silver thermal paste (or any silver based thermal paste) It is applied to the CPU and Graphics chip. First clean the old paste off with nail polish remover. Then very thinly apply the paste evenly , use an old credit card type card. Clean also the Heatsink from the old paste again using nail polish remover (nail polish remover is that same chemical as they will sell you for lot's ££ more , i have forgot it's real name). If you are resinking the mainboard give it a fluxing with Printed Circuit Board flux (PCB flux).Other flux will in time, eat into the mainboard. Preheat all the board first before concentrating on the CPU's and try to get the board level and keep it level to avoid warping via heat.Wait around 30 minutes before touching it and doing the other side, flux both sides to revitalise the solder.

 

[tatfa]

P.S. If it is an over heating issue and yours is a 60gb try to track down a working 19 blade fan they are in the first systems that were made in Japan , when cost were cut and moved to China a 15 blade fan was used. Obviously the 19 blade fan cools better.

 

[RollingThunder]

Thanks for the info. I'm nowhere near needing to do this(hopefully), I just wanted to get opinions about it. I've got the 120 gb slim, got it in November of '09. So far all is well. You know...I asked about the fan over at the ps forum as well and got a bunch of really negative, idiotic replies saying that it was a dumb idea. I'd still like to get one and put it in. Preventative maintenance, ya know?

 

[DKLion3s]

Just an additonal caution. Get and use an electrostatic wrist band, while working on the PCB and/or chips. If not, ensure that you ground yourself sufficiently, to get rid of (discharge) any residual static electricity within your body. Electrostatic may fry chipsets on the board if you don't.