RetroPie forum home
    • Recent
    • Tags
    • Popular
    • Home
    • Docs
    • Register
    • Login

    Official Pi case causes heat issues with P3

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General Discussion and Gaming
    official caseheatsinkheat problemsoverheating
    11 Posts 6 Posters 2.8k Views
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • herb_fargusH
      herb_fargus administrators @matchaman
      last edited by

      @matchaman I think the case is designed to be modular for all the diff uses people use the pi for, you can have the sides on or take them off. I leave the lid off of mine for extra ventilation.

      There are also plenty of 3rd party cases that have better ventilation / heat sinks / unnecessary massive fans

      If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

      Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

      edmaul69E 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • matchamanM
        matchaman
        last edited by matchaman

        Exactly, but leaving the board exposed renders casing virtually pointless. Air vents would make a much better design without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics.

        I'll keep the case because it's really well made in terms of plastic quality. But it's an irony that the "official" one has such a design flaw...

        herb_fargusH 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
        • herb_fargusH
          herb_fargus administrators @matchaman
          last edited by

          @matchaman well it really just depends on your use case. Can't design it for everyone ;)

          If you read the documentation it will answer 99% of your questions: https://retropie.org.uk/docs/

          Also if you want a solution to your problems read this first: https://retropie.org.uk/forum/topic/3/read-this-first

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • matchamanM
            matchaman
            last edited by

            The best possible cases are old faulty consoles :D

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • edm203E
              edm203
              last edited by

              I use an "unofficial" case that has a fan, and my temp readings are below 45F. (it stays very cool, even when I plug in 4 controllers). It's kinda fragile.

              http://a.co/5GgVBKB

              Pi Model or other hardware: Pi3B
              Power Supply used: 2.5 amp power supply
              RetroPie Version Used: 4.2.10
              Built From: Premade from Retropie website
              USB Devices connected: 4x ibuffalo snes controllers

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • obsidianspiderO
                obsidianspider
                last edited by

                I have a Pi 3 in a Sega Genesis USB hub that has zero ventilation and it never has any heat issues. I'm also working on putting a Pi 3 in a Gameboy Advance and I did some preliminary testing by letting N64 run for an hour with the battery I intend to power it with sitting directly on the SOC, as it will be when in the case, and I had no heat issues.

                📷 @obsidianspider

                matchamanM 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • edmaul69E
                  edmaul69 @herb_fargus
                  last edited by

                  @herb_fargus said in Official Pi case causes heat issues with P3:

                  unnecessary massive fans

                  This made me chuckle. I have never used a fan on a pi. And ive crammed them into some tiny cases.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • matchamanM
                    matchaman @obsidianspider
                    last edited by matchaman

                    @obsidianspider said in Official Pi case causes heat issues with P3:

                    I have a Pi 3 in a Sega Genesis USB hub that has zero ventilation and it never has any heat issues. I'm also working on putting a Pi 3 in a Gameboy Advance and I did some preliminary testing by letting N64 run for an hour with the battery I intend to power it with sitting directly on the SOC, as it will be when in the case, and I had no heat issues.

                    Seen your work, great stuff :) I'm quite curious... do you happen to use any shaders? It appears that without shaders my Pi 3 runs about -10c cooler.

                    obsidianspiderO pjftP 2 Replies Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • obsidianspiderO
                      obsidianspider @matchaman
                      last edited by obsidianspider

                      @matchaman Thanks. I'm having fun with these Pis. I don't run any shaders.

                      📷 @obsidianspider

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • pjftP
                        pjft @matchaman
                        last edited by

                        @matchaman I use overlays. Reasonable CRT effect, not as teaching on the CPU.

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • First post
                          Last post

                        Contributions to the project are always appreciated, so if you would like to support us with a donation you can do so here.

                        Hosting provided by Mythic-Beasts. See the Hosting Information page for more information.