Hardware What's the airflow like in an Xbox 360 Slim?

Sportsmaniac1322 · Jul 4, 2012

I'm going to permanently install an Xbox in my car to be played on my head unit

. I obviously need to secure it so it doesn't rattle and scratch up the discs, so I'm going to build a wooden frame, then pad the inside with foam material so it sits nice and snug.

Airflow is my biggest concern. The system will sit horizontally, so obviously I'll cut a hole on the top for the exhaust. I have no clue where the intake is at though, so do I need to leave any other part of the system uncovered? I'm thinking about just putting one strip of wood on both sides to keep it secure, would that give the system enough breathing room? I don't want to suffocate the 360, but at the same time it has to stay secure...

DinohScene · Jul 4, 2012

On the side of the 360.
That's the intake.

Exhaust is on the rear end.

But I doubt that you'll succeed.
The Slim also uses the top + bottom for ventilation.

Sportsmaniac1322 · Jul 5, 2012

DinohScene said:
On the side of the 360.
That's the intake.

Exhaust is on the rear end.

But I doubt that you'll succeed.
The Slim also uses the top + bottom for ventilation.

Well that's not the spirit!

I think it'll be fine. I'll leave the exhaust completely uncovered, and the most that'll be covering both sides is about an inch thick of wood + padding. The Slim stays pretty cool compared to the Phat, and it'll have plenty of breathing room in my car. More so than stuffing it inside a cabinet, which I've seen lots of people do.

Obviously I'll monitor the temps pretty rigorously the first few weeks, and if I feel like it's overheating then I'll re-evaluate the solution. I think it'll work out fine though

.

DinohScene · Jul 5, 2012

Don't block off the intake.

It's vital since the CPU and GPU rest under the side fan.

If I where you I'd install an exhaust fan and or some additional fans to reroute airflow.

Even my flashed Kronos (which is standing pretty freely) is getting warmed up (heatsinks are not extremely hot but are fairly warm to the touch)

It's just a warning in advance.
360's and PS3's need alot of cooling and breathing room.

Sportsmaniac1322 · Jul 5, 2012

Oh trust me I know the systems run hot. I own both and had to install fans in my cabinet to keep them cool. That's why I want to make sure the systems have plenty of room to breathe while still bring fully secured.

Here's a picture to give you a general idea of what I'm aiming to do:

As you can see, he was able to do it with both a 360 and a PS3, both of which run at very high temperatures (I'm only doing a 360 Slim). You can't see in this picture, but he has a fan behind the systems that turns on when either system is turned on. I plan on doing this too, so that should help a little (although with the Xbox sitting on its side, would it help airflow at all?).

So from my understanding, with the Xbox Slim sitting on its side and facing me, both of its sides are the intake and the top is the exhaust. So should I just leave the sides completely open and leave a big hole for the exhaust? That wouldn't impede airflow at all, put to keep it secure I would just have to make sure the padding is snug on the top and bottom. It seems doable...

DinohScene · Jul 5, 2012

That's how the Slim mobo is fitted
If you're laying it flat with the DVD tray facing you then the big fan is pulling air from the top

The sides of the Slim is the exhaust.
Back side has no ventilation (no idea why I was convinced it had)

If you keep the top (around the fan) and side (closest to the fan) completely open then it should work fine.

Sportsmaniac1322 · Jul 6, 2012

You have it wrong. When laying flat and the DVD tray facing me, the big fan on the top is the exhaust. It blows out air, while the other vents take it in.

I do agree with you about what I can cover and what I can't though. The picture of the mobo helped a lot, since I haven't had a chance to crack open the system yet. I think I can build it a little over where the hard drive goes on the right side (again, with the 360 flat and DVD facing me). Since the hard drive's there, there's no way air is flowing at that location, and that should be enough to secure that side. The rest of that side will be left open. I think I can do the same thing with the left side too. That notch in the picture of the mobo is where the WiFi module goes, and I don't feel any air coming through there when my 360 is on. If I built a little over that, then the left should be secured as well. This is starting to come together!

DinohScene · Jul 6, 2012

Afaik that is the intake.
Fan should suck air from the outside (atleast it's positioned that way)
Then again I don't own a slim so I can't really tell.

Hmm
Care to share a picture?

Sportsmaniac1322 · Jul 14, 2012

DinohScene said:
Afaik that is the intake.
Fan should suck air from the outside (atleast it's positioned that way)
Then again I don't own a slim so I can't really tell.

Hmm
Care to share a picture?

Sorry for the late reply, I was on vacation all week.

Anyways, I'm not quite sure what you want me to share a picture of. My planned enclosure?

I did get a chance to open up the 360 yesterday, and my suspicions were confirmed. No air at all flows through the back left and right sides of the console (again, with the system horizonal and DVD facing me). Covering those up won't impede with airflow at all, which is fantastic.

Also, while you're here, I have a small off-topic question for you. My Slim unfortunately has a Lite-On 1175 drive, which means it can't be flashed as of now. Is it possible to dump the keys, or is that out of the question as well? I was thinking of installing an ODDE, because changing discs through the Xbox menu would be perfect for a car. But I need the drive keys, so that's where there's a possible snag.

Rasas · Jul 14, 2012

Well your pretty much stuck then unless c4eva or someone else makes more progress. You could try trading your console for a hackable one but that is up to you.

DinohScene · Jul 14, 2012

Your planned enclosure.

You could also RGH it (if it's below 14719)
Then you can store everything on the internal HDD

You will lose XBLive then tho.

HandOfReason · Jul 17, 2012

Yeah if I was doing some kind of car installation, I would definitely recommend an RGH. First because it eliminates the necessity for any discs and therefore disc changing. And second, you'll also be able to get XBLA titles which are often more bite-sized and perfect for "gaming on the go". I've been eye-balling the new Hyundai Velosters which have a plug specifically for hooking up game systems and the RGH route is likely the path I'm going to take.

Also, someone correct me if I'm wrong, but since the DVD drive won't be used, that's less power the 360 needs to draw and therefore, a cooler system. I wonder if you could remove the drive entirely and retrofit some kind of extra fans in there. I'm sure it's been done somewhere.

DinohScene · Jul 17, 2012

Afaik jTAG and RGH systems run hotter then normal 360's

Just yank up the fans to 70% 75% 80%
It'll guaranteed keep it cool.

Yes you can retrofit the DVD drive.
Just place a jumper between pin 4 and 6 like this.

Hardware What's the airflow like in an Xbox 360 Slim?

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