Hacking Question Is it safe to remove the metal cover?

[Sir]

I was just wondering if it was safe to remove the metal shielding on the back of the switch and to keep it off, as I have a transparent switch shell and I think it would be cooler to see the inside instead of just a metal back?
Like this example

 

[Nevercholt]

No, the metal cover serves as a heat spreader so the X1 soc can run cool. If you remove the cover the X1 may overheat, slow down or the fan makes more noise to keep the chip cool.

 

[Sir]

Cheers

 

[Kubas_inko]

Yes. Totaly safe. It serves no real purpose because switch is running quite cool for what it is. You can totally run it without it without any problems.

 

[Nevercholt]

Cheers

It looks cool though

--------------------- MERGED ---------------------------

Yes. Totaly safe. It serves no real purpose because switch is running quite cool for what it is. You can totally run it without it without any problems.

I don't say it is not safe but I do not recommend it since it may hurt your device over time due to higher temperatures and more wear and tear to the fan

 

[Sir]

Differing answers :S Lol

 

[Duo8]

To me it just looks like a really large EMI shield.
Maybe a mechanical shield to protect from physical damage.

 

[Muta]

It does direct air flow, it may cool the CPU a tad, but that is what the copper heatsink is for.

 

[Connorsdad]

If it didn't need to be there Nintendo wouldn't have wasted money putting it there in the first place.

 

[yacepi15]

I think it is there for just protection purposes. If you don't let the console fall to the ground it it should be fine.

 

[magico29]

I was just wondering if it was safe to remove the metal shielding on the back of the switch and to keep it off, as I have a transparent switch shell and I think it would be cooler to see the inside instead of just a metal back?
Like this example

where did u get the clear shell baby? also do u have joy cons clear shell?

 

[Huntereb]

I'd assume it's not ideal for a number of reasons. The heat shroud is there to redirect airflow, to help spread out the heat produced by the CPU/GPU, and to protect the motherboard from whatever fun little pieces of dirt might slip into the breathing grills on the back. If you don't have any issues with heat while it's off, and don't think you're going to spill metal shavings into the back of your device, you should be OK.

 

[DocAmes1980]

If it didn't need to be there Nintendo wouldn't have wasted money putting it there in the first place.

If it's just an EMI shield then the only reason it needs to be there is for regulatory purposes. However, it probably also helps direct airflow as @Muta stated. I'm guessing temperature differentials will be nominal. I would leave it in place but I'm paranoid when it comes to temps. I would think you could run the Switch without it with little to no consequence. This is just a guess though. We would need real CPU temps to see what the effect is.

 

[sezinlynn]

Yup, i've removed mine as well, so far no issues with it. No overheat, etc.

 

[mattytrog]

The shield serves 4 purposes...

• To direct COOL air to the fan... Leave it off, and the fan is receiving already partially-heated air from the other components on the board.
• For EMI protection... FCC regs etc
• As a strengthing "exoskeleton" if you will... The switch will be not as structurally strong without it. That wardrobe in your bedroom for example...without a back panel, it flops all over the place...
  
• To spread heat coming from the SOC, to assist the heatpipe. You don`t think that purple squidgy stuff is there for show do you?

In the real world, the switch may be OK. Bear in mind the processor heats up more when in the dock.

But Nintendo thought it was necessary. They could have just copper-coated the back cover like the laptop manufacturers do to get round the regs.

 

[sj33]

For the love of god, don't listen to advise telling you to remove the metal plate. The thermal paste isn't just there because Nintendo were bored.

 

[Benjay]

where did u get the clear shell baby? also do u have joy cons clear shell?

https://www.wish.com/product/59ba3c3d58ff6f3aed567095
Just select "Clear" for the color.

 

[aos10]

https://www.wish.com/product/59ba3c3d58ff6f3aed567095
Just select "Clear" for the color.

or amazon link
https://www.amazon.com/BASSTOP-Replacement-Controller-Electronics-D-Pad-Atomic/dp/B076SQ2JBK/

 

[magico29]

https://www.wish.com/product/59ba3c3d58ff6f3aed567095
Just select "Clear" for the color.

Thank you!!

 

[jakkal]

No, the metal cover serves as a heat spreader so the X1 soc can run cool. If you remove the cover the X1 may overheat, slow down or the fan makes more noise to keep the chip cool.

it is safe to remove
you dont know what youre talking about

a lot of people remove theirs with no issues so far

 

[sj33]

...it serves as a heat spreader, that’s why it’s attached to the heat pipe using thermal paste. It’s hugely irresponsible to suggest to other people that it can be ditched.