My PS3 Under the knife

Question

So I'm trying and learning about everything I can that is electrical. My soldering is coming around now. Lol Anyways, I like what I have so I want to keep it.

One day, gettin my ass kicked in BF3 I run to the restroom. 20 minutes later, I noticed my TV showed No Signal. Didnt think anything of it. Glanced at the console and My PS3 blacked out, no lights, nothing. I flipped the switch in the back. I moved the power supply chord di different outlets, I tried Back up power supply chords. NOTHING! Watched numerous videos on YouTube and decided "blow it out" hope for the best. One video mentioned and briefly demonstrated Thermal Paste. Never heard of it. Noticed where it was applied in the video compared to my disassembled PS3 that there was no thermal paste.

Long story short, where can I get some paste, which is best, and how should I apply it to my PS3? Again I know nothing about this stuff.

Update:(PS3 FAT)

Completely disassembled PS3, OMG the dust inside! And I regularly and routinely blow it out but never disassembled it. Blew every crack and crevice, up and under. Reassembled, plugged it in...... Nothing... for about 5 seconds.

Green light shines, regularly scheduled re-boot... shut-down! SHE LIVES!!! tehehe

gam3t3ch · Answer

If you removed the fan and there was very little thermal paste on the cpu and gpu chips there I would suggest getting that on there soon then later. some I use arctic mx-4 myself works like a charm Tons of videos on ylod repair or similar issues with it. which would show you how to do it think I have done a few videos on it myself.

msebok · Answer

if its anything like my laptop the paste was very crumbly very dried up and had to be (CAREFULLY) scraped off. I ended up using a gift card and rubbing alcohol to get it off. amazon is your friend. the arctic mx4 is good stuff. I think I paid $10 Canadian to my door. Laptop would not turn on prior to the paste, now it runs like new. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYwHB2P6GmM the paste will be under any heat sink on any and all chips that are connected to the heat sink. Just remember a little goes a long way!

colporteur · Answer

Thermal paste (i.e. heat sinking compound), if I recall my thermodynamics course from 38 years ago, is designed to bridge the gap between the component and the heat sink, to improve heat transfer. A component is physically connected to the heat sink to increase its ability to transfer heat away from the component to the air through the heat sink. The heat sink increases the surface area of the component. The gap between the component and the heat sink reduces the heat transfer capability. The application of a heat sinking compound between the component and the heat sink, fills the gap and makes heat transfer more efficient. It has been my experience people apply way to much compound. You only need small amount to cover the surface. Applying a quantity that causes it to squirt out the sides is way to much. Try to cover the component surface in contact with the heat sink. Think of how big the gap is, you are trying to fill. You don't need much. I can't recommend a product. The current jar I purchased must be 25 years old. I see now you can buy small one use packets. At one point they came out with strips you applied. Never thought much of those but they appeared to work. I hope this helps. Sean