Cases/Fans/Sinks

THRobinson · 28 Sept 2016, 14:41

Ordering a RaspberryPi 3 this week to use as a RetroPie game console and been researching cooling and if needed or not, and seen a lot of 50/50 responses, so figured I'd ask here because more specific to my use.

I'm not much of a gamer... building one for myself for the occasional game, and if works well, I'll build 2 more for my niece and nephew who are now in their 20's but, still like the retro games.

For the most part, it'll run NES and older game, but, the niece/nephew grew up on PSOne so I'm pretty certain a few of those games will get put onto the system, like Spyro and Medievil.

From what I've read, many people say if not overclocking (and I'm not) no cooling is needed. I've also read that if using for games for the N64 you'll need at minimum heat sinks, and if PSOne games, you definitely need a fan.

Since you guys all have Raspberry Pi systems and RetroPie, what would you say? Many of the cases I like have no fans, probably room enough for sinks though. But, if games like Spyro will definitely need fan cooling, then I'll get a case with a fan.

Thanks

jrmymllr · 28 Sept 2016, 15:06

The general answer to this is if used as designed (not overclocked) and operating in free air, no heatsinking is required. After all, if any part ran too hot without heatsinking, that would be a design flaw.

Now if it's in a case, suddenly that's no longer free air. It's also going to depend on the ambient temperature. Is it laying out in the open, or laying on top of an audio receiver that's generating its own heat?

I think, even under load, you don't need fans or heatsinking provided it's not closed up in an airtight case in a warm environment.

GtBFilms · 28 Sept 2016, 15:12

I would agree with @jrmymllr I'm just using el cheapo aluminium heatsinks from Ebay, and have never had any problems.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3pcs-One-Set-Aluminum-Heatsink-Cooler-Adhesive-Kit-For-Cooling-Raspberry-Pi-New-/161982408521

Actually, I never even had any problems BEFORE I fitted the heatsinks, so as long as it's not in a tightly enclosed space, or situated next to something that's pumping out it's own heat, I think it will be fine. I'm running arcade games, SNES, Megadrive, PSX, VirtualBoy, Cannonball, KODI etc on there with no problems. It's not overclocked.

THRobinson · 28 Sept 2016, 15:31

I'm leaning towards a case like this (black one) for mine (not sure about the other two) which has air holes at the top and the lid is raised a bit so a slit all around the lid.

It won't sit on anything with heat, just the glass shelf on the TV stand, totally in the open.

Should be room enough for 2 heat sinks on top, though I see some kits with 3 sinks, and usually the 3rd is a flat piece of copper that goes on the bottom of the Rasp Pi, and not sure if makes much of a difference given the lack of fins.

I like the totally open case, which from what I've read has hands down the best cooling but, worried stuff will get in, or turn on not seeing that something is inside and shorts it out (ie. metal end of the USB cord for the controller). Or just dusty and not nice to look at. I have a very clean, borderline OCD setup for my TV and such. :D

Black Case
https://az664625.vo.msecnd.net/cache/b/2/2/d/6/1/b22d6170d1b840e960e3834e706310e2d375b93b.jpg

Clear Open
https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/5149JsQp7xL.jpg

THRobinson · 28 Sept 2016, 15:39

@GtBFilms said in Cases/Fans/Sinks:
... I'm running arcade games, SNES, Megadrive, PSX, VirtualBoy, Cannonball, KODI etc on there with no problems. It's not overclocked.

Curious about KODI... I've used that for years (XBMC with Windows, now KODI) and given their forums, ever so often people have video issues (stuttering or blank screens) and responses usually involve upgrading to a better $150+ video card, or CPU better than a Quad-Core, etc... but I also find with that forum, some people 'fix' things by simply throwing money at it and not giving it a second thought. Also, sometimes a pretty rude forum... it's really hit and miss on that site.

How does the RaspPi 3 verB handle KODI? For example... 4GB 1080p HVEC video with DTS5.1... Smooth video? choppy? I'll probably test it when I get it but, kinda curious. Add a small iR receiver onto it and it would be a good secondary box. I have my old PC as a server, but we have a few TV's in the house.

GtBFilms · 28 Sept 2016, 15:47

@THRobinson Ah, I'm probably not the best person to answer that, as my Rpi is running KODI on a tiny little 8 inch screen. Therefore rubbish resolution isn't really a problem for me.

It streams internet radio fine, and I've watched stuff on You Tube with no problems, but I've never tried anything much more demanding than that.

My crappy rural broadband isn't really up to streaming anything HD, anyway.

GtBFilms · 28 Sept 2016, 15:49

@THRobinson I do like that clear case, but take your point about stuff getting in.

I found a Crayola crayon jammed in the paper feed of my laser printer the other day!

THRobinson · 28 Sept 2016, 16:04

Ya, it's nice and keeps things cool... but again, if have a cable (game controller) with a metal end on it, one small touch at the wrong time and ZAP! there goes your board, possible MicroSD Card as well.

Not so much a worry on mine, but I know for sure that the 2 kids will have stuff getting into it, and one of them has a cat. Enough said on that one. :)