Share your Raspberry Pi idle/load temps while running Retropie

ScOULaris

I've recently upgraded my Retropie build from a Pi2 to a Pi3, and the first thing I noticed was how much hotter my stock Pi3 ran than even my overclocked Pi2 in the same case. Ever since noticing this uptick in heat generation, I've been obsessively monitoring my temps under different circumstances. Now I'm wondering how typical my temps are for a Pi3 running Retropie at stock speeds, so I figured I'd share mine and see if they are in line with what other people are experiencing.

Pi Model: Raspberry Pi3 Model B
Case: OmniPi Black case
Heatsinks Installed: LoveRPi Performance Heatsink Set
Pi Location: Behind LCD TV in an unenclosed entertainment center
Average Room Temperature: 24 degrees Celsius

With Case Top Cover On:

EmulationStation Idle Temp Range: 55-56 degrees Celsius
Emulation/Gaming Temp Range (after 15-20 minutes): 75-79 degrees Celsius

With Case Top Cover Removed:

EmulationStation Idle Temp Range: 50-51 degrees Celsius
Emulation/Gaming Temp Range (after 15-20 minutes): 69-70 degrees Celsius

So, as you can see, I'm able to shave off a few degrees Celsius just by removing the top cover of my case and allowing some air to pass over the heatsinks as they draw heat away from the chip. This is a fine enough solution for now, but I'll probably be switching to a case that allows the heatsinks to protrude out of the top by design without having to remove part of the case.

Anyway, those are my temps. I'm looking forward to seeing everyone else's. I'm happy with the temps that I'm getting with the case top cover removed, but I'm always looking for better passive cooling options just to keep the temps even lower if possible.

Solid One

On my RPI 2, I have three heatsinks (two on the top, one on bottom) and a case with a fan on top. My overclock settings are on 1ghz.

Surprisingly, here's the results:

EmulationStation Idle Temp Range : 40-45 degrees Celsius
Emulation/Gaming Temp Range : won't pass 50 degrees Celsius

Heatsinks and fans works wonders on reducing raspberry temperature :)

ScOULaris

@Solid-One Yeah, I know that a fan would make a huge difference in temperature reduction, but I prefer to keep my Pi setup free of moving parts. I like the fact that my Pi can just sit behind my TV, powered on all the time with nothing that can break or make noise.

For that reason I'm always on the hunt for cases that allow for effective active cooling while also looking good. I had considered the FLIRC case, which has an aluminum body that doubles as a large heatsink, but after reading about some of the annoyances related to the fact that it was never tailored to the Pi 3 specifically turned me away from it. I actually just ordered this case since it's cheap, looks good, and has cutouts on the top to allow my heatsinks to reach the open air. It arrives Monday, so we'll see if it succeeds in keeping my temps lower.

Dochartaigh

Pi 3, 51º C running idle at my house right now. It's 20º C in my house FYI. Raspberry pi official case with top off. No overclocking, no heatsinks.

p33te

@ScOULaris with a fan and heatsink mine is idling at 30 Celsius and while playing battle toads it only crept as high as 37

Drakaen391

my average temp idle with a busted fan is 40c and it's never yet gone above 48c

Drakaen391

once i fix the fan tonight i will reply with a more accurate temp