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PS3 issue, need some suggestions

thirdeye

Platinum Member
So I have an original PS3 60GB model with the full BC I bought new. I originally bought it when it was THE BD player to buy. Once the fan started getting loud enough that I could hear it over movies I stopped using it for that and just games, and now not really anything due to the noise.

The unit works perfectly but is so loud I can hear it in the next room. It doesn't overheat and even when the fan is at full speed the air coming out of the unit, is cool, not even slightly warm. I've tried applying AS thermal compound to the CPU/GPU and even switched out the 15 blade fan for a 19 blade fan with zero luck in quieting it down.

So here's my question, should I sell it and pick up a new one and if so, how do I ask a fair price for a functional but very loud PS3?
 
If it really is staying cool you could cross your fingers and use a Zalman Fanmate to slow it down a little.

(I'm guessing that's possible but haven't looked at the fan connectors to see if it would work.)
 
Well here's the thing, if it's the original and it plays PS1/PS2 games that is a plus, the newer PS3's don't play PS2 games so keep that in mind.

If you do sell it and buy a new one, research craiglist to know what is a fair price for it, if it plays PS1/PS2 games make sure you mention that as a plus when selling it
 
This is a stretch, but it's possible that a system update changed the fan profile which is causing the fan to run faster. If it is using the same profile as the later fat models, it would explain the excessive fan speeds as your PS3 is operating at a higher temp overall than the later models. In other words, your PS3 is probably at perfectly safe temps, but that temp is at higher than what it is expecting and thus faster fan speeds. Just a thought. I have no evidence to back it up.
 
The Zalman Fanmate is an interesting option and since I have an extra fan chopping one of them up to see if it helps might not be a bad option.

Yeah I know the hardware BC is a huge plus, but the fact that it sounds like a hairdryer may make it difficult to sell to just anyone which is where my dilemma is. It works perfect otherwise.

I'm fairly sure it's a software thing because it doesn't start out loud, it slowly ramps up, but it's not dependent on activity. I can power it on and let it sit at the XMB and it will still be loud as hell after about 10 minutes of runtime. Or I can fire up GT5 and get the same results. It sucks because a PC is easy, fire up a monitoring app and you can see fan speed and CPU temp and adjust accordingly.
 
I personally would just sell it and buy a brand new one, you'll get alot more hard drive space, it will be smaller and look alot better. I'd sell it on c-list for $250 for just the system, chords, and one controller

Then go and buy a new one for only $50 more and have a warranty and a quiet console again
 
I personally would just sell it and buy a brand new one, you'll get alot more hard drive space, it will be smaller and look alot better. I'd sell it on c-list for $250 for just the system, chords, and one controller

Then go and buy a new one for only $50 more and have a warranty and a quiet console again

The 60gb PS3 is the Cadillac model. If it still works, for the love of god, don't get rid of it.

Since you voided any warranty (Sony won't fix it period with the seal broken), I'm not sure what you could do. Obviously the system thinks it's running hot. Bad temp sensor maybe? Or it's just software like you said.

When in doubt... water cool? 😛
 
The 60gb PS3 is the Cadillac model. If it still works, for the love of god, don't get rid of it.

This has been a major hangup for me. If it was any other model, I'd probably just say screw it and replace it.

I actually had thought about watercooling it, but seems like I'd probably end up sinking more into that than I would buying a new unit. 🙁
 
I don't even play PS3 games on it at the moment. In all honestly I think I've only used the BC a few times on it though.
 
I don't even play PS3 games on it at the moment. In all honestly I think I've only used the BC a few times on it though.

Sell it then. Sounds like you won't be using that function of the PS3 much so might as well get some money out of it and get a newer, quieter version.
 
:wub: my 60GB PS3. I bought it for precisely that reason--the best BD (or HD DVD) player to get, at that time.

and yeah, the fan gets ridiculously loud at times. I've simply learned to cope with it. I actually haven't played a game on it in nearly 2 years, lol. And in the 4-5 years that I've owned it, I've actually noticed that the fan seems to run loudest with DVDs--not BDs.

It can also run pretty loud when streaming Netlix.
 
new PS3s are very quiet, as a matter of fact i'm surprised to hear there's a fan in there cause i've never heard it
 
Well I listed on CL for $250, we'll see what sort of interest it brings. If it doesn't sell I'll try that fan speed controller.
 
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