GCN Should i replace thermal paste on GC?

[MetoMeto]

Today i will be buying used GAME CUBE. It was pretty sweet deal, i got it for 40 euro (console, all the cables and original controller) in mint condition,
home used as the guy said, and you can tell.
But regardless, its an old console, just like all Game Cubes... So i was thinking...
Should i replace thermal paste on it, how will i go that about, any tips?

Also since i got other consoles (Dreamcast, Nintendo 64, SNES, Wii, Wii U, Play Station original, Play Station 2 slim) should i replace thermal paste on them also?

Whats your opinion on all that?

Thanks!

 

[ThoD]

Get it, see how it runs, only bother with replacing thermal past if it's heating up more than you'd like it to. Consoles unlike PCs don't really get THAT affected by thermal paste since they have tighter contact between cooling and processor on account that modding isn't in the system designer's mind when making it (meaning it's made to last rather than for ease of modding), so even bad past hardly affects heat, dust will cause more heat than bad paste on old systems honestly, so like I said, see how it runs, then act accordingly. If it heats up, then replace the past and might as well do some cleaning for any dust while you are at it, otherwise leave it as is.

 

[DinohScene]

I'd honestly say replace it.

Dried up thermal paste can and will ruin consoles.
Granted, the 360 and PS3 are a fuck ton more powerful then the cube but given time, the CPU of the cube can cause cold joints.

 

[MetoMeto]

I'd honestly say replace it.

Dried up thermal paste can and will ruin consoles.
Granted, the 360 and PS3 are a fuck ton more powerful then the cube but given time, the CPU of the cube can cause cold joints.

Whats "cold joints" i menan i know what cold joints mean but what does it mean in this topics sense?
Sorry i'm not native in English...

 

[DinohScene]

Cold solder joints.

BGA points that have cracked due to thermal stress.
It's not something common on GCN or Wii units but it can happen if the thermal paste has dried out and is no longer able to provide sufficient cooling.

 

[MetoMeto]

I see...

I bought it, and let it run for 20 min. without any game, on bios screen (floating cube), and i can feel little warm air blowing, and it was a bit warm on touch (cant remember exactly where).
Is that normal since its doing nothing graphically intense?

Also is there a way i can tell its warming up more than it should?

 

[DinohScene]

Feeling warm air blow is usually a good sign.
Means that the heatsink is absorbing the heat of the CPU.

However, just change out the thermal paste.
It's well worth the 1 or 2 quid you spend in thermal paste.

Edit: iirc, the GCN has a CR2032 or CR2025 clock battery.
Might as well replace it whilst you're at it.

Idk if it was soldered on there or socketed, can't remember ;p

 

[The Real Jdbye]

*deleted reply to deleted post*

I see...

I bought it, and let it run for 20 min. without any game, on bios screen (floating cube), and i can feel little warm air blowing, and it was a bit warm on touch (cant remember exactly where).
Is that normal since its doing nothing graphically intense?

Also is there a way i can tell its warming up more than it should?

The GC is not a hot running console, so I wouldn't worry. Replacing the thermal paste certainly can't hurt, but cleaning out the dust is far more important.

 

[MetoMeto]

Until it dries out and starts burning.

The GC is not a hot running console, so I wouldn't worry. Replacing the thermal paste certainly can't hurt, but cleaning out the dust is far more important.

Oh i'm planing to do that as soon as i buy specialized screwdriver. I always take apart conosles/controllers when i buy them used and clean them nicely!

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Feeling warm air blow is usually a good sign.
Means that the heatsink is absorbing the heat of the CPU.

However, just change out the thermal paste.
It's well worth the 1 or 2 quid you spend in thermal paste.

Edit: iirc, the GCN has a CR2032 or CR2025 clock battery.
Might as well replace it whilst you're at it.

Idk if it was soldered on there or socketed, can't remember ;p

I probably will do that!

Those batteries are pain in the ass tbh. I remember replacing Dreamcast one. It was soldered so i installed replaceble bead. Im not sure about GC but thanks for the tip!

 

[ChibiMofo]

The next person who claims their GameCube died because they didn't replace the thermal paste will be the first. A lot of YouTubers who really have no clue needlessly replace the thermal paste on every used product they get sent to them or buy on Craigslist. I have two 2004 Pentium 4 PCs that I use every day. One is 3.2Ghz and runs a lot hotter than your GameCube. The other runs at 3.8Ghz and runs even hotter. You know when I plan to replace the thermal paste?

Never.

That's how often you should replace the OEM thermal paste on a working console, video card, or PC. If you are unsure, don't ask a gamer. Ask a chemist. Otherwise you might as well listen to a politician rather than a scientist regarding climate change.

 

[MetoMeto]

The next person who claims their GameCube died because they didn't replace the thermal paste will be the first. A lot of YouTubers who really have no clue needlessly replace the thermal paste on every used product they get sent to them or buy on Craigslist. I have two 2004 Pentium 4 PCs that I use every day. One is 3.2Ghz and runs a lot hotter than your GameCube. The other runs at 3.8Ghz and runs even hotter. You know when I plan to replace the thermal paste?

Never.

That's how often you should replace the OEM thermal paste on a working console, video card, or PC. If you are unsure, don't ask a gamer. Ask a chemist. Otherwise you might as well listen to a politician rather than a scientist regarding climate change.

So basically what you're saying is that if its not glitching or act funky, there is no need to replace thermal paste?

 

[DinohScene]

So basically what you're saying is that if its not glitching or act funky, there is no need to replace thermal paste?

I would never loan any electronics or w/e to people like that.

Mate if you want to take good care of your GCN by replacing the thermal paste then do so.
You're not doing any harm by changing it out for a fresh layer that'll transfer heat better then dried up guck.

 

[The Real Jdbye]

So basically what you're saying is that if its not glitching or act funky, there is no need to replace thermal paste?

As long as there is warm air coming out then the thermal paste is doing its job.

 

[MetoMeto]

As long as there is warm air coming out then the thermal paste is doing its job.

makes sense

 

[subcon959]

I would be surprised if thermal paste made much of a difference in the Gamecube's case, but if you can replace it without breaking anything then there's no downside (other than you breaking something accidentally). This is a cheap and easy to replace console so I would just enjoy it and not worry too much... unless.. tinkering is your thing. In that case you may be like me and enjoy refurbishing/modding these things more than actually playing games on them. In which case, go for it.

 

[thewannacryguy]

If I remember correctly, the SNES doesn't have thermal paste in it. Just a piece of steel which it uses as a heatsink. You might want to consider replacing the voltage regulator and capacitors though.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...oved_games_console_is_slowly_but_surely_dying

 

[MetoMeto]

I would be surprised if thermal paste made much of a difference in the Gamecube's case, but if you can replace it without breaking anything then there's no downside (other than you breaking something accidentally). This is a cheap and easy to replace console so I would just enjoy it and not worry too much... unless.. tinkering is your thing. In that case you may be like me and enjoy refurbishing/modding these things more than actually playing games on them. In which case, go for it.

haha you read me XD well actually yes, i do enjoy tinkering with things if its safe and im sure what i do before doing it, collecting information etc...but i also enjoy playing games.
Ill see what ill do i think ill dust it of first, as soon as i find some screw drivers for it

If I remember correctly, the SNES doesn't have thermal paste in it. Just a piece of steel which it uses as a heatsink. You might want to consider replacing the voltage regulator and capacitors though.

http://www.nintendolife.com/news/20...oved_games_console_is_slowly_but_surely_dying

Yes! i guess PCB and internal parts inspection is what i must do. I already replaced some capacitors on my PlayStation (original model) and now it works great!

Also...hm...yeah youre right, not all consoles have theyman paste, they dont get that hot