Hacking RGH Falcon GPU temp suggestions

[simbin]

Recently RGH'd an old Flacon I got from a trade way back. Apparently the X-Clamps were removed and the bolt mod was done to both the CPU and GPU. I'm not sure if console had ever Red Ringed, or if someone just decided to do it as a preventative measure. Anyway, I decided not to disturb the bolts and check my temps first. CPU idles in the low 50s, but the GPU gets pretty hot. I set my temp control to keep it below 70c, and it always idles right up to that 70c threshold, and the fan sounds pretty loud. Are these temps normal? I understand the Falcon has the older GPU, but improved CPU. Should I try new thermal paste on the GPU? Thanks

 

[godreborn]

I use a falcon as well, and I keep mine at or below 60c for everything. idling, my temps never quite reach 60c. they're usually closer to 50-55c or so for both cpu and gpu. I replaced the thermal paste a long time ago, but I never play the system. your cpu sounds good, but the gpu seems a little high if you're idling.

 

[DinohScene]

I've got me fans on 70%, added a 40mm fan on top of the 2nd GPU heatsink and dremeled a hole in the side, fitted it with a fan grille.

Thing never reaches 60 on a hot summer day under full load haha.

 

[simbin]

I've got me fans on 70%, added a 40mm fan on top of the 2nd GPU heatsink and dremeled a hole in the side, fitted it with a fan grille.

Thing never reaches 60 on a hot summer day under full load haha.

Hey thanks, was just reading your excellent write-up on jTAG/RGH Temps.. where you also mention the 40mm.. how much of a difference does just that fan make?

 

[DinohScene]

Combined with a hole on top of it in the casing?
Between 5-10c, depending on some factors.

Me fan was malfunctioning a few days ago, temperatures dropped by 5c the moment I replaced it.

I'd say put a divider in your fanduct and if you fancy, 3D print a smaller fanduct to help guide the air pulled in by the 40mm through the GPU heatsink.
Cardboard and or beer coasters can be used as an alternative.

I've had that Falcon ever since the discovery of the RGH.
Never gotten the temperatures above 60c.

I got to mention that I placed small copper heatsinks on the bare RAM chips and the HANA chip, reducing those temperatures will help reduce thermal stress for those components.

 

[godreborn]

I have no fan mods on my system. temps usually stay pretty cool. I don't really game on the system though, but I've left the system on overnight a few times. I have another jtag falcon in my closet. I've never compared temps though.

 

[simbin]

Since I really don't know this Falcon's origin story, I'm reluctant to get too invested. I don't want to put a ton of work into it and then end up with a RRoD anyway. Once I saw the bolt mod, I was extra careful not to put any strain on the heatsinks while I was doing the solder work. In fact, I was actually hoping the temps would be good enough, because I'm worried as soon as I replace the thermal paste and rebolt the heatsink, something won't be tension rigged right, and I'm sh!t up RRoD creek anyway.

 

[DinohScene]

Using screws n what not to fasten the heatsinks to the board...
Ehhh stress fractures?

Wait, that thing has been bolted?

Idk mate, if you don't see obvious heat marks on the RF shielding of the case and in the fanduct/under neat the DVD drive, you're good.

 

[godreborn]

I got rrod on my first system, a shitty xenon. I put a lot of mods in that one, but it still rrod. since that happened, I haven't put any mods on any system aside from decal skins. imo, it's not worth the money, especially when most of these hackable systems are pretty cheap to replace.

edit: btw, that xenon was only a flashed system, so I didn't have temp thresholds with it.

 

[Armadillo]

I kept my jtag falcon under 60C. I stuck a 120mm intake fan where the dvd drive was and set a fixed percentage for the fan speed (can't remember what %). Never bothered with any other cooling mods. Got it in 2010, still works now, but don't really use it, heavy use of it probably stopped in 2015 or so.