[RIP-Felix]

Update:
I got the 19 blade fan in today. I installed it and wired up the fan/temp controller (to the bluray). The controller works! Unfortunatly I did have to remove the card reader to fit it in. However, if you wanted to solder the wires directly to the controller board you might be able to get it to fit. Also, you might have to move the voltage regulators, I thought you could bend them out of the way, but they are too close to the power supply to do that. So, this controller would require a moderate amount of modding to allow the card reader to fit under it. I honestly don't use it, so I'll leave it out.
Aerocool Temp contr..JPGProbe Placement.JPGhole.JPGPower + Probe.JPGCIMG4483.JPG

I now have to wait for the thermal paste to get here so I can correct my flub up. While I'm in there, I will find a place for the CPU and Case probes to go. I will also splice on a regular fan connector to the 19 balde fan so I can use my controller.

Right now I just have the VGA (RSX) temp giving a readout, but here is a sample of what's to come. So far I have only turned the system on to check if everything works, it does, and to let the systen reach an idle temp. I noticed that the temp slowly rose to 64C before the fan kicked up to its idle speed then the temp stabilzed at 57C. That has now evened out over the last hour to 58C. Also, the OEM 19 blade fan is much quieter than the 15!

I have not done any stress testing and won't until the paste is applied and has gone through at least 24 hours of light stress testing/cooling.

[RIP-Felix]

I thought I might add that 58C idle seems a little high, but then as baargle pointed out, what do I have to compare it to? The VGA (RSX) temp should be as accurate as possable since it is located under the heat spreader right next to the die. I have searched high and low around the internet for some temps at idle/load and no one seems to have posted any, for a standard setup (That I can find.) If anyone finds any please post a link. When I get the temp sensores all in and the paste broke in, I will post my numbers for future reference.

[RIP-Felix]

I got the paste in today and put everything together.

Here are some pics:
RSX probe.JPGwire placment.JPGFan can't hit cord.JPGFan hits cord.JPGFan Splice.JPG

I ran into a problem with the fan control. There isn't any! When I plugged it in and ran it, the fan just went to 100%. I'm pretty sure I spliced the wires correctly. Correct me if this is wrong.

PS3 fan: red = 12v, black = ground, grey = control
3pin PC fan: red = 12v, black = ground, yellow = control.

Is this correct? If so then this controller can't be used to automatically control the fan speeds based on the temp reading. It can be used to run it at full though.

I also had a near disaster. The voltage regulator that runs the fan gets hot. The case probe cord got pinched between it and the power supply and melted. Once it exposed the wire it shorted against the VR and caused an alarm. Then the controller woulden't turn on at all, or the fan. I quickly turned the system off and removed the melted case probe. Luckily, it didn't ruin the controler or the PS3! So now I just have the CPU and VGA readings. After that I reconnected the fan to the motherboard and am just using the probes for monitoring purposes. The fan at 100% is beyond tolerable. I can tell you that the temps with the fan a 100% kept the RSX idle at 46C where as stock the idle is now at 63C. I turned the unit into it's vertical position and it dropped to 59C. But i'm not done with the break in period yet, I expect thoes to drop by tomorrow when the paste has a chance to spread out, cool, and firm up.

[RIP-Felix]

Ok, I have some results. I first turned the system on in the hotizontal position and left it to warm up for 1 hour. Then I placed it vertical for 1 hour. These serve as the idle temps. I then played 1hr of COD:MW2, online in the largest party possable, and actually played the whole time. When one hour was up I took temp readings (Load). After the load test was finished I re-read the idle temps after 30mins on the PS3 main menu for both positions. Ambiant temperature was 64 F (17.8C).

With the PS3 in the horizontal position:
Cell = 58C idle, 57C load. Then 54C upon idle afterwards.
RSX = 61C idle, 59C load. Then 57C upon idle afterwards.

With the PS3 in the Vertical position:
Cell = 54C idle, 53C load. Then 50C upon idle afterwards.
RSX = 57C idle, 58C load. Then 53C upon idle afterwards.

After a DVD movie in the vertical position:
Cell = 55C
RSX = 59C

Maximum temps I've seen:
Cell = 61C
RSX = 66C

Observations:
The fan upon startup revs up to speed and then back down. This is level 1. Soon after that you can hear a slight increase in its speed if you listen closely. This is level 2. After a few minuets the fan will increase again and make a soft fan noise audiable from a distance. This is level 3 and the system trys hard to keep it there. I've noticed that when the temps reach about 65C for the RSX and 61 for the cpu, the fan will kick up again. I call this level 4. The noise is more noticable (not loud) and the system actually runs much cooler. It will remain there even when the temps go back down. This keep the system at about the same temps as idle during full load and makes ilde after the increase lower than in level 3. I have not had it go any higher, assuming the PS3 allows it to go higher. I know from the controller I installed that the fan at 100% is much louder than the level 4 speed, so it is not on full. To compare, the idle temps with the fan on full were in the mid 40s celcius. If you can stand the sound, that is the best performance you can get with the stock fan. If you want better performance you will need to install aftermarket heatsinks or a liquid cooling solution.

I set out to add a readout temperature display complete with fan controll. I hoped it would adjust the fan based on an alarm setting I choose, and that it could fit inside without removing anything or loosing functionality. Ultamately, that was not what happened. I succeded in placing the temperature probes and in displaying the readout beneath the translucent cover. I set an alarm for each probe to warn me if temps go above 70C. I replaced the stock thermal paste with Artic Cooling MX-4, the stock thermal pads with high effiency pads, and the 15 blade fan with an OEM 19 blade. I also drilled vent holes above the fan to allow cool air directly into the system. However, I had to remove the card reader to make room for the controller and the controller will only run the fan at 100%. For some reason it will not drive it like a regular PC 3 pin fan . This might be a wiring issue but I'm not sure if the fan can be controlled the same way the controller is trying to. If anyone knows about this kind of thing have a look at the picture in post 23. I hope I just wired it up wrong. If so, it's a simple fix.