Cooling the pi v4

[rasp_renegade]

Hello, I am new to the 4th generation pi. I noticed the little thermometer in the screen show about 3/4 (.75) to the top. I removed form the case and blew some air by mouth on it, and it cooled down. I read that these do not require a heatsink like the older models. I am assuming this not to be true? Seems to be fine when not in the case.

If it is required, I can use similar heatsinks to the older models?

[sleve_mcdichael]

@rasp_renegade said in Cooling the pi v4:

I read that these do not require a heatsink like the older models.

I think you've got that backwards. The Pi 4 has significantly more power, therefore can get significantly hotter and can benefit a great deal more from fans and heat sinks, compared to earlier models.

[Crush]

It gets much hotter than the Pi3.
I prefer a passive cooling solution, like the aluminum argon cases that act as a giant heatsink, i got an argon one V2 which turns on the fan when temp reaches over 55C, the Pi has never even reached that temp running retropie.
So unless you also plan on using it as a desktop a Argon Neo should work fine too though the Argon One has a power button.
There are much more solutions out there, but this is what i can personally recommend.

[rasp_renegade]

@crush

I am glad I asked!!. That Argon ONE V2 is awesome for the living room used with desktop. I have another in my arcade machine and use the GPIO pins. Do you know a good option for cooling case with access to the pins?

[Crush]

@rasp_renegade said in Cooling the pi v4:

I am glad I asked!!. That Argon ONE V2 is awesome for the living room used with desktop. I have another in my arcade machine and use the GPIO pins. Do you know a good option for cooling case with access to the pins?

The Argon One has access to the pins.

For an extensive review check this. (the one in the video is V1 the V2 has full size hdmi ports)

And indeed the Argon Neo opens up as well.

[Lolonois]

Note: The Argon Case does not allow you to access the PoE, the MIPI display port and MIPI camera connector.

I use the Geekworm full Aluminum case, works very well in regular use and moderate overclocking. Mine came with stacking headers for the GPIO which makes it easiser to remove the GPIO connector. The case has no moving parts and can be attached/removed with four screws.

Cases have been discussed extensively here: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/25913/good-cases-for-the-pi4

[Crush]

@lolonois said in Cooling the pi v4:

Note: The Argon Case does not allow you to access the PoE, the MIPI display port and MIPI camera connector.

The Pi Neo does have all those available though https://www.argon40.com/media/catalog/product/cache/01bd92052dc2a38e1c05a8994d8ff250/1/1/11.png
But assuming the Geekworm also connects to the CPU and GPU it does seem like the better option to use inside an arcade.