PS3 Heat and GT5?

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garamicin
first of all, it's about a Playstation 3 slim that I'm talking about. Yesterday I played Metal Gear Solid 4 for about 3 or 4 hours (yes, too much, I know), I tought that my PS would just melt. Ok, it's exaggerated, but I'm preoccupied about this matter when thinking about GT5.

Because if we're going to have 24 hour races in GT5 and we'll have to leave the console on for more than 3 days (I usually do the 24h of Nürburgring in 6 days when playing GT4) this is going to be a great problem.

Would you image Kaz being forced to introduce pit-saves for the endurance races because of the Playstation's heat issue (if there's any, I don't know, I just think that it's way to hot in that black plastic box).

What do you guys think?
 
Perhaps they can or are testing this potential issue by running Gran Turismo 5 SLS AMG Driving Experience in the Mercedes Museum 24/7, then we shall find out if it passes the test of running it for more than a few hours.
 
The ps3 is actively cooled with a very effective fan, it may get noisy on full speed but it should never overheat regardless of how long it runs.

I had my launch 60gb on for several months straight during the folding@home craze and there are various places that use ps3's as full time servers or maths units.
 
I have a 60GB bought the June after launch. It was left on running Folding@Home almost exclusively for the first year. Folding@Home has made the fans work harder than any game, and that wasn't full speed.

Everyone that has A-spec'd a 24 hour race in GT4 can tell you that their PS2 sat on, paused, for a week or so.

There is no reason to think that your PS3 cannot handle running a 24 hour race in GT5.
 
If your PS3 is too hot to your palm, it doesn't necessarily mean that it can't stand it. It's from different materials than skin. :sly:
 
Consoles are actually designed to withstand being constantly on 24/7 and still function.

Hot air coming from the back of your console is healthy. It's when hot air STOPS being expelled that you need to start worrying.
 
Wow, Some usefull information guys ,But I recommend buying a small fan anyway.
 
Pointing a fan at your PS3 does nothing to the internal temp. My fat PS3's fan would come on all the time regardless of what I did with it so swapped it for a PS3 slim
 
My PS3 is on 24/7, Folding@Home (Life with Playstation) and has been since May 2008.

The system can take it. My fans only ramp up while playing Uncharted 2. Keep your console well ventilated and clean, shouldn't be a problem.

There are always exceptions though. :scared:
 
For computer components its actually better for them to stay on continually. Metal components expand and move around when there are temperature changes slowly degrading them, whereas there is less movement when the temperatures are constant.
 
A lot of the original PS3 are dying about now due to heat issues and poorly designed cooling, along with dust buildup etc. The infamous YLOD
The smaller chips in the later PS3 run much cooler
 
There is a website that conducted heat stress test, 24h in a freezing van, and 24h in a sauna, the PS3 passed.

Anyway, if you are preoccupied with heating, just do this test: you will need the non-slim version, stand the playstation sideways on its ventilation side (the side without rubber pads), after 10-20 seconds the fans will kick in gears, there's 3 distinct steps, you won't believe how much they can spin. Then you will know a PS3 doesn't need additional cooling and won't overheat unless your system is broken. The slim is supposedly better, so no worries.

@CoolColJ - The majority of non-slim failures are their cheap BluRay drive dying out, especially the one lens PS2 compatible systems.
 
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CoolColJ
A lot of the original PS3 are dying about now due to heat issues and poorly designed cooling, along with dust buildup etc. The infamous YLOD
The smaller chips in the later PS3 run much cooler
Click to expand...

Define 'a lot'.

From what I've read (I'm quite up to date on the latest goings on in the console and PC world), the PS3 has an overall failure rate of between 10%-15%.

It's not 0%, which is unnacceptable, but it's certainly not 'a lot'.

You're right when saying the newer systems using CPU/GPU's from a smaller fabrication process are more efficient/cooler-running though.
 
PS3 will survive easly 24 hours, make sure your room temperature is at normal or below room temperature..

Also if you are worried about melting, which will never happen .. just place a fan in front of it..
 
I have been concerned about the cooling in the slim, which delayed my decision to purchase one (hence why i don't have one).

However, i know that the fan in the PS3 is designed to keep the temperature of the internal components within a certain range. If the internal components heat up, the fan speeds up.

If your PS3 is first gen, using 90nm graphics chip and processor, then you may to have a problem keeping it on constantly, as it is susceptible to the same problems as early Xbox 360s (The fan is more efficient and spins at a higher rpm when maxed than the one in the 360). If your PS3 is second gen, using 65nm chips, with the same fan, then you will not have a problem at all.

The slim has a 45nm processor and a 65nm graphics chip. Since its the processor that is the main source of heat, this means the heat given off is severaly reduced compared to the original 90nm chip. The fan is smaller, but it has the same function. You will not have a problem with overheating when doing 24 hour races in stints over the course of several days/weeks. Nevertheless, i agree that PD should implement a mid-race save function.

Also, i would not advise getting an external fan. The reason being, they require the use of more power, causing more heat in the internals. They also block the main vent so the fan that comes as stock works less effectively. They do more harm than good. Well, the cheap ones at least, there are probably some out there that work better than the standard fan, but they are not necessary, unless you plan on using it as a server or something.
 
My PS2 sat on for months. I've never heard my PS3 Slim operate loud, and I feel confident that I would be able to leave it on (although I don't think it's that bad turn off/on my system)
 
Honestly, I just got a new Slim and I keep it on 20 hrs/day. Mostly use it as a Top Gear station at this point (until something interesting comes out). And its quiet and perfectly cool.
 
If a PS2 could handle me doing 2 24h enduros in a row (and it did that wonderfully), then the PS3 shouldn't have any trouble sorting itself out over one.

That said, I would love for there to be a pit save function.
 
zlo2
Honestly, I just got a new Slim and I keep it on 20 hrs/day. Mostly use it as a Top Gear station at this point (until something interesting comes out). And its quiet and perfectly cool.
Click to expand...

Hahahahah, that's exactly what I used mine for.. At least for the first couple of months, and if someone had told me I could use it as a media player from files from my computer, I would've bought one ages ago. (But I'm glad I waited for the slim and price drop) and once I found out I could do it I downloaded every episode and watched them all 👍
 
I got a slim at the end of December, love every minute of it! I've heard only good things about the slim, so I'm very confident that I'll never have any fuss from my PS3. Mine is very well ventilated, so I'm ready for some GT5 endurance. Just out of curiosity, what is Folding at home?
 
my ps3 died from overheating! Read your manual carefully as it states how much space you need around the vents for it to cool itself properly, I didn't read the manual and had some objects closer to the ps3 than they should have been which restricted the flow of air. Fortunately I had an extended warranty, the newer machines definately run cooler and less noisy than my original 60 gig version.
By the way GTPrologue makes my machine work harder than any other game I own, so I understand your concern.
ARGOS sell a clip on fan unit for the ps3 that is designed for the job and doesn't look out of place, but I have never tried one so can't recomend it!
 
My 80gig console has only ever had one slip up. I left it in the cupboard with the door closed and it told me off for overheating :scared: Just make sure it's ventilated.
 
d3br34k5
Define 'a lot'.

From what I've read (I'm quite up to date on the latest goings on in the console and PC world), the PS3 has an overall failure rate of between 10%-15%.

It's not 0%, which is unnacceptable, but it's certainly not 'a lot'.

You're right when saying the newer systems using CPU/GPU's from a smaller fabrication process are more efficient/cooler-running though.
Click to expand...

Actually a failure rate on any electrical appliance of 10%-15% IS A LOT!

Anything higher than a rate failure of 1,5%-2% its considered high.
 
Just to clarify my previous post in this thread. My original PS3 fat was only replaced because the fan noise was very annoying and prevented me watching blu-ray's and made prolonged gaming a bit of a headache. I'm pretty certain the PS3's fan was doing its job and the heat coming out the back of it wasn't excessive, I don't think it was overheating but it was a concern. My friends original PS3's didn't have the same fan noise so I guess I was unlucky, from reading many different forums it seems to be a common issue with original PS3's but isn't necessarily a problem. People who stripped their PS3's down and reapplied new thermal paste didn't notice a significant improvement in fan noise so maybe some PS3's just think the fans should run more.

If you do have any concerns though take a look at the teardowns below. PS3's are excellent pieces of engineering and have very good cooling systems, especially the PS3 slim as the exhaust from the fan blows through the PSU.

Just make sure it is in well ventilated space and don't bother with after market fans, they have been proven to be noisy and mostly restrict airflow!

PS3 Fat Teardown http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Sony-Playstation-3-Teardown/1260/1

PS3 Slim Teardown http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/PlayStation-3-Slim/1121/1
 
d3br34k5
Define 'a lot'.

From what I've read (I'm quite up to date on the latest goings on in the console and PC world), the PS3 has an overall failure rate of between 10%-15%.

It's not 0%, which is unnacceptable, but it's certainly not 'a lot'.

You're right when saying the newer systems using CPU/GPU's from a smaller fabrication process are more efficient/cooler-running though.
Click to expand...

My original PS3 60 GB die in November 2009(I buy him on May 2007) My problem was red light of dead... I took hem to service but he die again... Then I change him with PS3 slim of course I give 100 euros for replacing. Old PS3 was hot after 2 hours playing...
 
i hope they'll put a save feature for endurance, i'm not gonna destroy my ps3 leaving it turn on for 1 month for a 24h race ( and even if the ps3 can take it, i can't physically do it, i can't lave the ps3 on with a wheel in front of the tv for a month). They must put a save option, if you use it you're prize will be reduced or something like that, hardcore players will have the big reward by finishing it without save.. people that have a life and use save option get something less. I dont' know how the hell they can't understand it in PD
 

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