Good day to everyone. I’m new to the Forums and would like to make my first post a good one check it out!

I have a question that I need to ask. I though long and hard but need a second opinion.

I currently own a PS3 and love it. War Hawk is great! I recently installed the PS3 in an entertainment center with a closed back. I thought it would be Ok, until it went into super-duper fan boost mode. I thought it was going to take off.

I then got nervous and put a small 3.5 inch fan on the exhaust side of the PS3 facing out of the entertainment center. It never happened again. I got tired of looking at a fan everyday not to mention the extra noise of a metal desk fan vibrating on wood. AHHHHHHHHH!

Ok, I’ll get to my point now! I recently installed 2x80mm (12v) case fans moving 22cfm of air each. I put these on the inside back panel of the enclosure facing or exhausting out. My question is the space the PS3 is in is about (L)18in X (W)12in X (H)6in. This is essentially moving 44cfm through this tiny space. These fans move quite a bit of air. The whole front of the enclosure is open. If I put a flame in front of the enclosure it will move the flame making it horizontal.

I started to think about the aerodynamics of the PS3. I then thought could I be causing more harm than good. I’m moving so much air in a little amount of time through such a small enclosure that essential has a stealth plane in the middle of it. Could I be creating a convection oven and cooking my PS3. I’m pretty good with physics but I don’t know much about fluid dynamics/Air flow. I’m scared I might be creating an air flow bubble around the PS3 intern holding the warm/hot air within the PS3.

Thanks to any insight and feedback that is provided through these forums.

Talk about overthinking things. You will fit in just fine around here. :) (Joke)

You might be right though. Your high and low pressure zones seem to be off, and with that much flow you could be right in your fears.

I would run some smoke over it and see what happens. There are side vents on the right of the PS3 as well, so that complicates things.

Hmmm... might be worth a look when I get home. Interesting question. :p

Edit: My PS3 is in an 8 1/2" H x 17" W x 21" D slot, with an open front and a 3" W x 1" H slot cut in the rear at the very top. The PS3 sits ontop of a PS2, and is slid all the way to the left of the enclosure. I only hear the fan when it's been folding for awhile. It has been running contantly for the last 9 months. A/C at 75-77. One of those fans should more than do it for you.

LMFAO @ convection oven.

I would think that ventilating the enclosure would help, but you do have a point.

To be completely honest, I would try and find an open space for it. Even if you have to add some kind of attachment to your entertainment center. I've had mine in the open since launch, and the only time it has kicked the fan up a notch was when the room was about 80 degrees and I didn't have the ceiling fan on.

I REALLY wanted to purchase an entertainment center in the near future, but the PS3 needs open air, and I am reluctant to jump on anything at the moment. Hope I was of some help ...

Don't forget ... try to keep it laying down -- the "top" and "back" "exhale" while the "bottom" and "front" "inhale".

Oh, and another thing I did that I KNOW helps ... there is an A/C ceiling vent a few feet away from my set up. I have half the vents pointed at the back of the center, where I know there is now a constant flow of cool air.

Well, I was thinking maybe the quickest fix besides moving the shelf to provide more space would be to run the fans at 9v cutting the air flow by probably 25-50%. These fans are rated at 12v but my 12v PS has a voltage switch I can change. I'm not sure what to do just yet. I play Warhawk and Socom for hours upon hours throughout the weekend. Longest span is 6 hours. My PS3 hasn't reverted back to Overdrive-Super speed at all.

I'm just kind of worried in order to get an exact answer I will need exact measurements of enclosure. Total inlet dimensions. Position of the PS3 again is horizontal.

I can inlcude pictures tonight If anyone thinks they will help.

Thanks again for any input!

Don't forget ... try to keep it laying down -- the "top" and "back" "exhale" while the "bottom" and "front" "inhale".

Huh, I was always under the impression that if the PS3 was stored in an opened air environment (i.e. not shelved or placed within an entertainment center) that the vertical alignment was the preferred alternative, if there was also space beneath the unit as well - for the simple fact that hot air rises faster than cool, thus the vertical stance dispels the heated from the bottom up much quicker than if it were in a horizontal position.

I'm not trying to bring the debate of vertical vs horizontial back alive, that was just the impression I was under.:confused:

Anyone else? 206 views 4 posts.

Is there another location anyone can refer me to for answers.

At this point in time I'm running the fans at 9v instead of 12v.

This might take away from life span of the fans; I understand this, but I feel more comfortable at this time cutting down the air flow allowing more natural or less forceful air movement.

The exact measurements are: L15 x W19 x H6.25 all measurements in Inches.

Thanks for your input.

RoguishClyde,

Put up some pictures and lets have a look.

Ok, am I missing something here? You said that after you installed the two fans the PS3 never kicked in to higher gear, right? If that's the case you should be fine. The PS3 fans are governed by an internal thermometer. If that thermometer does not kick the PS3 fans into high gear, then your equipment should not be getting too hot.

Here are some pics. Don't mind the Dust! :rolleyes:

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_1.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_2.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_3.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_4.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_5.jpg
http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j17/dabrat4_2_0_/PS3_6.jpg

Thanks again everyone!

Ok, am I missing something here? You said that after you installed the two fans the PS3 never kicked in to higher gear, right? If that's the case you should be fine. The PS3 fans are governed by an internal thermometer. If that thermometer does not kick the PS3 fans into high gear, then your equipment should not be getting too hot.

I understand what your saying, however when placing my hand in front of the fans the air feels cool and at room temp. (75) Maybe I'm just moving the air so quick I'm not feeling the temp difference. I know, I might be OCD'ing on this issue but I just want to be safe. I'm saving for a HDTV not another PS3.

I understand what your saying, however when placing my hand in front of the fans the air feels cool and at room temp. (75) Maybe I'm just moving the air so quick I'm not feeling the temp difference. I know, I might be OCD'ing on this issue but I just want to be safe. I'm saving for a HDTV not another PS3.

Ok, now that I've seen the pic's, I doubly (is that even a word?) wouldn't worry. Your ps3 vents and your newly installed fans in your cabinet are offset fairly well. This should prevent any laminar flow problems you fear may be taking place because the air is being drawn off to one side, as opposed to the thinest cross-section of the unit. Looks like everything is as it should be.

Oh man... 4 years of engineering school and I'm talking flow over a game console?? HA! My professors would be so proud.

If you have the room, you could also try running the PS3 in vertical mode, with the right side of the PS3 on top. That way, the heat can trael and exit out of the top, instead of exiting from the sides.

I have that same TV stand! I use it for my extra TV with a modded xbox, PS2, Dreamcast, and N64 hooked up. I say if your PS3 has not kicked on its own fans by now then it is fine. I have mine on the main TV out in the open and after about 30-40mins it gets a little louder but I keep my air conditioner set rather high.

Thanks guys; this puts my mind at ease.

I have that stand with a 24" Wega running component cables for the PS3 and a My PS2 is connected to my 19" to the right of this stand. (Socom... what can I say; Got my Girl addicted...Shh!) I like the stand looks nice but was like only 30-40 bucks when I got it.

I can't wait to Upgrade to a HDTV. I was thinking like a 32" LCD, but I can only find 1 at 1080p and it's a SHARP. I know the 720p and 1080p won't be noticed much on this size, but I have a 1 bedroom apartment and sit (depending on couch) about 5-7 feet. I can see the pixels on my SDTV it pisses me off. My girl says my eye's are shot. I laughed and said you don't see that. She said no and I laughed again and said your eye's are shot. There's advantages and disadvantages but I want to utilize the best.

Well thanks again guys. Whoever wants to send me an invite. Just Do Itttttttt!

You'll be fine with that setup.

The fan is a good idea, or you could just use a hole saw (at least 1"), and put 2-3 openings in the back.