Cooling?

eurddrue · Post by **eurddrue** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 8:42 pm

hailraiser did it^

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:17 pm

Two method choices for cooling.

1) Remove the blocks and metal plate from N64, replace with heatsinks.

2) Keep the blocks and metal plate as per stock item, cut to size (as hailraiser did). Advantage of this method is that it makes is considerably easier to mount the relocated game cart. I will use this method next time, especially as it is cheaper to make too.

Either method, you need to install a fan to remove the hot air from system. You need air in (utilise the air gaps around a game cart to make it easy); and either a fan to suck air in or air out; I prefer to make it suck air out as it probably gives better airflow.

For the fan, get one about 30-40mm diameter, that is all you need; as quiet as you can get and as slim as you need. In a previous project I used one from an old graphics card - slim and very quiet. (my Multi system - which I ran for 7 hours solid before batteries drained - system remained cool).

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Thu Dec 11, 2008 11:39 pm

May I ask, why? Its fine the way it is.
If you just have to change the heatsink for whatever reason, pretty much any heatsink(s) with fins would work without a fan. The N64 has been out over 12 years, and I've never heard of one overheating. If having a big slab of metal does the job, anything with fins should do even better.

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:46 am

No you don't need a fan. With the stock heatsink cut to size the N64 doesn't overheat even in a relatively closed up system.

The hole for the cart connector allows any hot air to leave the portable and there really isn't much hot air at all.

Now the Dreamcast is something else altogether

bacteria · Post by **bacteria** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:16 am

It is certainly good news that a fan isn't needed. I was going to try my next project without one to see how it performed, now it is confirmed a fan isn't needed, that is great. I wonder why for years now, people have insisted on needing heatsinks and a fan? Oh well.

To make the system smaller still, I don't see why you couldn't remove the metal blocks from the chips altogether and just leave the gunk, then put the metal plate back on the system onto the gunk - that would make the system slimmer still. (just make sure the metal plate doesn't come into contact with any other components or you will get a short).

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:48 pm

Wait, so if you just put heatsinks on the chips, then they don't need a fan, even in a very confined area?

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:50 pm

Mario wrote:Wait, so if you just put heatsinks on the chips, then they don't need a fan, even in a very confined area?

Well they might.

You at least need the heatsinks AND a block of aluminum for heat dispersion.
I don't think the heatsinks alone would do it. Of course I never tried it with just heat sinks.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 5:57 pm

Well, not the original blocks, they have no surface area by themselves. But if you replaced them with finned heatsinks, would it be fine with no fan?

hailrazer · Post by **hailrazer** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:00 pm

Mario wrote:Well, not the original blocks, they have no surface area by themselves. But if you replaced them with finned heatsinks, would it be fine with no fan?

See I don't really know. I think the originals work fine with the aluminum plate attached because it disperses the heat along the cool aluminum, so you don't really get a buildup of stagnat hot air in the portable.

But with aftermarket heatsinks only, yes they will take the heat off the chips. But they won't have the block of aluminum to disperse the heat. So all you will be doing is moving the heat off the chip and into the case. So it still might overheat.

vskid · Post by **vskid** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:11 pm

Mario wrote:Well, not the original blocks, they have no surface area by themselves. But if you replaced them with finned heatsinks, would it be fine with no fan?

That depends on the case its in. If the case is really small, then a couple air vents and probably a fan would be needed, too.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:24 pm

Guess I'm using a fan, then. Thanks for the help.

ShockSlayer · Post by **ShockSlayer** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:47 pm

Ok, I can run my n64p for 5 hours straight and have no heat problems:

All you need is some old heatsinks from anything. No fan. That will waste battery power. I've even broke off all the fins. N64's don't get that hot.

With a TI reg, you'll be fine. With a linear reg, you'll want to heatsink that too.

SS

EDIT: forgot to mention: My portable is literally air tight! A few gaps around the edges(like normal) but thats it.

Mario · Post by **Mario** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 6:59 pm

Hmm... Well, I don't want to build a portable only to find the N64 overheats and kills itself. I'll just buy a spare N64 and the heatsinks I'm using, then stick it in a small, airtight space... And if it doesn't fry then, then I won't use a fan.

collinE · Post by **collinE** » Fri Dec 12, 2008 9:22 pm

ShockSlayer wrote:Ok, I can run my n64p for 5 hours straight and have no heat problems:

All you need is some old heatsinks from anything. No fan. That will waste battery power. I've even broke off all the fins. N64's don't get that hot. With a TI reg, you'll be fine. With a linear reg, you'll want to heatsink that too.

SS

EDIT: forgot to mention: My portable is literally air tight! A few gaps around the edges(like normal) but thats it.

that's really awesome, SS. Good info.