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[lovely ladies]

I have about a month on my warranty (destiny bundle) but I changed out the HDD. If I call Sony for a warranty claim will they send me a new unit? Should I take out my HDD?

If it's not the stock one you should just back it up and put the stock one back in. I mean you wouldn't want to risk losing the bigger hard drive. Sometimes they send you a new one, sometimes they don't and just repair the system you send in.

 

[Magical Drop]

Can't seem to solve mine going too loud when running games.

Replaced the thermal paste with MX4 and used the coin but it still does it (and gets louder than it was before in some instances).

Only thing I can think of is I'm applying the thermal paste wrong somehow. Been using a pea sized dot but perhaps that's too much? Going to try the rice sized amount and see if that works.

 

[User 479360]

Some games are known to make the fan go a bit crazy yes, like TLOU remastered.

When your console gets noisy most of the time, that's when you've got to worry.

Yeah, my research did indicate that some games make it run with more volume than others. Funnily enough, I bought but haven't played TLOU Remastered yet (though I did beat it on PS3, albeit not the DLC), and that was the next game I was going to try to see if it would make the fans go loud. It's the only other disc-based game I own, outside of the one I was playing.

I think I may be overreacting. The fans were definitely audible -- even over quieter scenes in the horror game I was playing -- but not crazily/jet engine loud, I guess. It's not something I use a ton based on console preference, so there's that too.

The fan lessened in intensity a bit once I stopped playing said game, but was about as loud during Rocket League, which I know is said to cause loud fan noise.

 

[rafaelr]

Can't seem to solve mine going too loud when running games.

Replaced the thermal paste with MX4 and used the coin but it still does it (and gets louder than it was before in some instances).

Only thing I can think of is I'm applying the thermal paste wrong somehow. Been using a pea sized dot but perhaps that's too much? Going to try the rice sized amount and see if that works.

the contact/pressure between chip and heatsink is really important. after one of the different tries (coin, pea sized blob, spread thermal compound) i did, the fan went to jet level as soon as i started a game. when i reopened it i saw that the thermal compound had not spread out completely and a small area in the corner of the chip/heatsink was not covered.

one other/more thing you could try, replace the ram thermal pads.

 

[Taker34]

This thread is absolutely great: My launch unit became very loud (like a hairdryer indeed) during the past months, so since my warranty would expire in November, I might as well open it up and change the thermal paste... before my PS4 will explode.
First had to spend 25 € on an iFIXIT kit with the Torx security screwdrivers - that store didn't sell them separately. Anyway, opened up the console - which wasn't that hard after doing that 5 times with a PS3 fat - and saw that the thermal paste was poorly spread out. It wasn't dry but still badly applied. So I had a Arctic MX-2 lying around for years, so I used that one. The consistency of it was really strange so I wasn't able to spread it... only doing it half-arsed, so putting everything back together should do the trick.
Luckily everything worked: disc eject button, fan and wifi. So I fired up Rocket League which normally made my console scream like Axl Rose on Appetite for Destruction. It was dead silent. You could hear the fan spinning but it didn't do any noise. After playing several games it became "louder" but even playing Rocket League, Black Ops 3 or any 60fps/uncapped title did not make the fans go crazy. Instead the console is constantly on a quiet and normal level. It's a real night and day difference.
So thanks for this thread, it really improved my gaming experience.

 

[Minamu]

Are there videos that have this hair dryer audio level? My ps4 can sometimes go into a higher audio level but I'm not sure it's the same as what you guys refer to. It's quite noticeable for sure but it's nowhere near an actual hairdryer imo.

 

[benzy]

Anyone have screws that were already stripped to shit? I got two T9s, T8s, none work on the 3 screws left while others opened up nicely on the metal motherboard plate cover.

 

[N° 2048]

Welp, I've had enough. Tear down was so easy except one stripped Philips screw that was tough .

Was getting so loud during Rocket League and Ground Zeroes Menu.

After tearing down a laptop this felt like taking apart a Fisher Price toy.

The fans had a lot of dust even though I vigorously dust multiple times a week. (Bad air flow, yes yes).

Going to replace thermal paste then test.

 

[RoninChaos]

If it's not the stock one you should just back it up and put the stock one back in. I mean you wouldn't want to risk losing the bigger hard drive. Sometimes they send you a new one, sometimes they don't and just repair the system you send in.

How do you back these up? I don't want to take it out and have to reinstall everything.

 

[SAiLO]

GAF, what's the best thermal paste to use with PS4?

 

[N° 2048]

GAF, what's the best thermal paste to use with PS4?

also:

Is this normal? There's barely any paste.

No wonder it was so loud.

 

[N° 2048]

ugh double post. sorry.

 

[Hagen]

I also did the teardown and applied some new thermal paste. Unfortunately it doesnt helped.
After one day it seems to be loud as always.

I have used arctic silver 5. I thought this was the follow up product of the arctic mx-4, now I learned that these are from two different companies...
Well does anybody have made some experiences with the PS4 and the silver 5 paste?

shall I retry it with the mx-4 or are they likely the same?

 

[N° 2048]

I also did the teardown and applied some new thermal paste. Unfortunately it doesnt helped.
After one day it seems to be loud as always.

I have used arctic silver 5. I thought this was the follow up product of the arctic mx-4, now I learned that these are from two different companies...
Well does anybody have made some experiences with the PS4 and the silver 5 paste?

shall I retry it with the mx-4 or are they likely the same?

So I just applied the same and it's louder. So I am having the same issue as you.

I honestly thought this would fix it.
I am going to see if the paste has to break in then if not, going to try a different brand of paste I guess. Possibly thermal pads.

 

[rafaelr]

So I just applied the same and it's louder. So I am having the same issue as you.

I honestly thought this would fix it.
I am going to see if the paste has to break in then if not, going to try a different brand of paste I guess. Possibly thermal pads.

did you use the blob or the spread method? you could try the different methods, also the coin-under-bracket to increase tension. if you want to go for the pads as well, the ps4 ram chips are 14x12mm and you´ll need 16. the stock pads are ~1mm thick but really soft, the ones i bought were harder and needed more pressure to make good contact with the heatsink.
afaik, mx4 has no cure time, silver5 has.
good luck!

 

[N° 2048]

did you use the blob or the spread method? you could try the different methods, also the coin-under-bracket to increase tension. if you want to go for the pads as well, the ps4 ram chips are 14x12mm and you´ll need 16. the stock pads are ~1mm thick but really soft, the ones i bought were harder and needed more pressure to make good contact with the heatsink.
afaik, mx4 has no cure time, silver5 has.
good luck!

Blob, I will look into the coin bracket trick as well, probably will try to find new ram pads too like you said. Thanks for the advice, heading to the PC shop a little later.

This is my next option:

Peg the console up, hole in bottom and

 

[OverBlood 3]

How hard is it to get to the cpu? Easier than the PS3?

 

[Hagen]

did you use the blob or the spread method? you could try the different methods, also the coin-under-bracket to increase tension. if you want to go for the pads as well, the ps4 ram chips are 14x12mm and you´ll need 16. the stock pads are ~1mm thick but really soft, the ones i bought were harder and needed more pressure to make good contact with the heatsink.
afaik, mx4 has no cure time, silver5 has.
good luck!

Can you please explain briefly what's behind the blob- and spread method and how it's done best?

Also, what do you mean with cure time for the paste? Will it take a couple of days until the silver5 "starts" to work? (I have done it 4 days ago - putting a more or less thick spot in the middle of the cell)

While tearing apart I have noticed that some pads where still on the ram, some were on the metal plate... is this something to worry about? Maybe they have no direct contact (or enough pressure) anymore

 

[N° 2048]

Can you please explain briefly what's behind the blob- and spread method and how it's done best?

Also, what do you mean with cure time for the paste? Will it take a couple of days until the silver5 "starts" to work? (I have done it 4 days ago - putting a more or less thick spot in the middle of the cell)

While tearing apart I have noticed that some pads where still on the ram, some were on the metal plate... is this something to worry about? Maybe they have no direct contact (or enough pressure) anymore

I used this, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyXLu1Ms-q4

 

[rafaelr]

Can you please explain briefly what's behind the blob- and spread method and how it's done best?

Also, what do you mean with cure time for the paste? Will it take a couple of days until the silver5 "starts" to work? (I have done it 4 days ago - putting a more or less thick spot in the middle of the cell)

While tearing apart I have noticed that some pads where still on the ram, some were on the metal plate... is this something to worry about? Maybe they have no direct contact (or enough pressure) anymore

blob - just put a pea sized blob in the center of the chip and let the contact/pressure from the heatsink do the spreading.

spread - put a small amount of thermal compound on the chip, cover your finger with a piece of plastic wrap and spread the compound around the chip (ifixit guide: https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Applying+Thermal+Paste/744)

regarding curing times (http://www.tomshardware.co.uk/answers/id-1732082/curing-thermal-paste.html):

In general curing is a certain amount of running hours required before the paste has reached a consistency that provides optimal thermal transfer.

The nicer stuff really doesn't need that. However arctic silver 5 requires a few hundred hours of use before it is cured.

 

[AndyD]

Blob, I will look into the coin bracket trick as well, probably will try to find new ram pads too like you said. Thanks for the advice, heading to the PC shop a little later.

This is my next option:

Peg the console up, hole in bottom and

Interesting. I wonder if that works well.

 

[N° 2048]

Alright, put some Arctic Silver 5 and pegged up the console. Will test for a week then try another paste if same or worse.

edit: So far, better in Ground Zeroes menus.

 

[Dazza]

Those of you whom are still having problems even when you've increased the pressure the brackets apply. The heatsink might have an irregular surface which doesn't allow enough contact with the chip. You can sometimes see it by how the heatsink paste is spread after you've taken it off again. I wonder if thermal pad like this might be better even though it has a lower thermal conductivity than heatsink paste it would insure a better contact

http://www.bergquistcompany.com/thermal_materials/gap_pad/gap-pad-5000S35.htm

 

[th4tguy]

I got a 2nd PS4 from the Kmart deal and swapped the new one with the old one. Now the old one is at my computer desk in open air and I can't kid myself that it was only ever that loud because of the open face cabinet it was in. It is horribly loud in open air also. Had it since launch and it's out of support so today I decided to do it.

Took it apart using the ifix guide. Went by a lot faster than I thought it would. Horribly dusty inside. Pulled literal chunks of dust from the heat sink that I'm sure was contributing. Re-did the thermal paste with mx-4, bent the back bracket some to add pressure and put a penny between it and the metal board, then put everything back together. It all went pretty smoothly. System got backup and running without any issue. Disk drive works, eject button works, wifi work, and fan spun up. System is now quieter than the new one we just got.

Once the new one is out of warranty, I'll do the same with it. I'm surprised at how hard the thermal paste was that came default in the system. It was literally flaking off.

 

[Krusenstern]

You guys are putting a penny between the bracket and the metal plate? Interesting. Wonder if that really works and I should try it someday.

Those of you whom are still having problems even when you've increased the pressure the brackets apply. The heatsink might have an irregular surface which doesn't allow enough contact with the chip. You can sometimes see it by how the heatsink paste is spread after you've taken it off again. I wonder if thermal pad like this might be better even though it has a lower thermal conductivity than heatsink paste it would insure a better contact

http://www.bergquistcompany.com/thermal_materials/gap_pad/gap-pad-5000S35.htm

I think I thermal pad would be too thick. In my case the paste actually spread nicely when I took a look at it again (made several attempts to make sure it spreads as needed). What's important is that you're using very soft thermal pads for the RAM chips (and not thicker than 1 mm, maybe 0.5 mm) and a thermal paste with a low viscosity so that the pressure of the heatsink alone can spread all out.

 

[N° 2048]

Alright, put some Arctic Silver 5 and pegged up the console. Will test for a week then try another paste if same or worse.

edit: So far, better in Ground Zeroes menus.

Just an update guys, it's pretty quiet now. I can barely hear the fan and when I do it is NOT as loud as before.

So for me, Arctic Silver 5 worked great.

 

[Solrac]

i changed the thermal paste a week ago ( mx4 ) was quite quiet, but now is loud as before change it, any tips ? model 1116

 

[N° 2048]

i changed the thermal paste a week ago ( mx4 ) was quite quiet, but now is loud as before change it, any tips ? model 1116

Try the coin trick to add more pressure? That's my next step if it gets loud again. Then after that is the case mod I posted on this page or a page back.

 

[Solrac]

this is how look with the spread method, should i try pea ?

and bend a little bit this piece for more pressure.

 

[Bad_Boy]

Mine doesnt get loud at all. And i keep it in a cabinet, not by choice.

Must be one of the lucky ones.

 

[N° 2048]

this is how look with the spread method, should i try pea ?

Try pea. What paste are you using?

 

[Solrac]

Try pea. What paste are you using?

mx4

 

[Yautja_Warrior]

Can you please explain briefly what's behind the blob- and spread method and how it's done best?

Found this site that did a few tests with a few combos and they find the X Method works best, but any method will probably see improvements, if the paste in the PS4 is applied bad already.

https://www.pugetsystems.com/labs/articles/Thermal-Paste-Application-Techniques-170/

 

[N° 2048]

This is how Sony applied the paste on my launch console. This was taken just after opening. I did not wipe any off.

I think anything is an improvement from that, ha.

 

[styl3s]

Is it normal to be pretty hot coming out the back and kind of loud? Granted, i sit like 1.5 feet away from my PS4 (so i can hear it easily) because it's on my L desk but i just hear a constant brrrrrrrrr fan noise. Also the matte side gets pretty warm/hot. It's been like this for probably since i bought it, it's out of warranty but i don't really have the means to go out and drop $400 if i oops break my ps4 trying to fix it.

The only reason i haven't taken too much concern is because it's a tight fit inside and i played Diablo for like 3-4 hours straight multiple times for a week without dying.

 

[N° 2048]

Just an update guys, it's pretty quiet now. I can barely hear the fan and when I do it is NOT as loud as before.

So for me, Arctic Silver 5 worked great.

Another update. Getting a tad louder but still quieter than stock paste.

I'm thinking of doing a repaste with more pressure this time.

 

[AbandonedTrolley]

Just got off the phone from Sony Support, they picked up my 20th Anniversary console on Friday and apparently have repaired it (went back for jet engine fan) will see how quiet it is once it's back. Should be with me tomorrow. Only took about 2 months of contacting them for them to pick the thing up in the first place.

 

[Sodding_Gamer]

Ok I've heard about this thermal paste issue for a while now but I'm not very good at taking things apart and putting them back together again. My PS4 is a launch ps4 and I dust it every couple of weeks but it just sounds so loud now. What makes it worse is that I grabbed an Xbox One too last week and playing games on there and the system is so quiet in comparison (I literally cannot hear my Xbox One at all when playing games) yet I feel the need to play my PS4 with headphones on to block the noise out otherwise it's just constantly in my mind when playing fearing it will bloody blow up! It also seems to be getting worse as time goes on (the ps4). I'm getting hot air blowing out the back right hand corner but the fans are just getting ridiculous. My PS4 is flat and has PLENTY of airflow.


I'm just not confident enough in taking it apart! I'm half tempted to just speak to Sony Support and see how much they charge me to sort it out. If it is ridiculous money then I guess it's time to brave it and open up the console :/ ffs lol. At least if I break it I have my Xbox One to keep me amused whilst I save up for a new ps4 :|

EDIT: Fuck it I've bought some Arctic Sivler 5 and will give it a go soon with the help of my bro. How do you clean off the old thermal paste? Isopropyl?

 

[vin-buc]

If you're going to do the penny under the bracket - I would suggest switching the bracket screws - after bending the plate concave a bit (wide U shape) and putting the penny between the plate and the heatsink I noticed that the screws don't completely lock the plate down (they keep spinning). I think they need to be a bit longer. I left them in (but I think i'm going to take the penny out) because I don't hear a difference.

 

[Lord Virgin]

Yeah so I tried the Arctic Silver 5 and when I start Pes/Rocket League it just takes off. Just as loud as before and maybe even more. Going to buy new cooling paste. So MX-4 is the best there is? Or are there better options?

 

[rafaelr]

well, fuck...
after trying pretty much every thing i could find here and with google (coin under bracket, trying different thermal pastes, replacing the fan and replacing the ram thermal pads) i really thought things were finally fixed. ps4 fans stayed really quiet, no matter which game.

but over the past couple of weeks it´s been gradually becoming worse again (to the point that friends started to notice when we got together for an until dawn playthrough).
don´t know if the contact between heatsink and chip is becoming worse again or something else. it´s just really frustrating and i´m really running out of ideas.

 

[Moreche]

Mine is the same. This is my third PS4 and I'm finally done with this system.
I'm selling it tonight as I promised myself at the start of this gen I wasn't going to put up with shoddy build and engineering issues.
I'll see Sony when PS5 arrives. I could do with a break from console gaming too.

 

[Stereogatari]

My Anniversary edition gets very loud about an hour or so in. I just deal with it by turning the volume up or using my headset.

It sucks, but as long as the system isn't in danger I'm cool with it. If anything goes wrong I've still got the warranty and if it happens after the warranty I'll cry that I have a Limited Edition and this is how you treat a loyal customer.

 

[Lord Virgin]

Yeah so I tried the Arctic Silver 5 and when I start Pes/Rocket League it just takes off. Just as loud as before and maybe even more. Going to buy new cooling paste. So MX-4 is the best there is? Or are there better options?

Removed the Arctic Silver 5 paste and tried MX-4. Took me like 30-40 minutes. Once you get used to it taking it apart and putting it back together is pretty easy.

Less noisy now, took a little bit more time before it went from no sound to a little bit of noise that can be heard from where I'm sitting (my tv and Ps4 are at the end of my bed). But I had the tv on mute and was actively listening so yeah. That is all I can do I guess, maybe replace the thermal pads in the future but this will do unless it gets worse. In which case I'll probably just buy a new one.

 

[HT UK]

Was playing Until Dawn last night, and my PS4 was insanely loud.

It's one of the 20th Anniversary editions...I can tell getting this repaired by Sony is gonna be a pain

 

[Oxn]

I sit around 10feet from my ps4, pretty standard. And i never hear my ps4 whirl, even in games like tlou when people say it really ramps up. Guess im a lucky one.

 

[hwy_61]

Mine is the same. This is my third PS4 and I'm finally done with this system.
I'm selling it tonight as I promised myself at the start of this gen I wasn't going to put up with shoddy build and engineering issues.
I'll see Sony when PS5 arrives. I could do with a break from console gaming too.

Third? Jesus Christ this is starting to sound like the RROD days!!

 

[N° 2048]

Mine is the same. This is my third PS4 and I'm finally done with this system.
I'm selling it tonight as I promised myself at the start of this gen I wasn't going to put up with shoddy build and engineering issues.
I'll see Sony when PS5 arrives. I could do with a break from console gaming too.

have you tried the new models?

 

[Fahrenheit]

Just played a little of the Uncharted demo and god damn the thing is loud. Gonna bust it open here in a bit

 

[AngryNapkin]

Mine is not overly loud but being an old PC enthusiast I'm going to try this as well. I'm going to order some thermal pads, shims and some Artic MX-4.

I want to do a YouTube tutorial as the ones I've watched never covered pads and the overall information/presentation was not to my liking. Just on a testing point of view none of them have been complete. Usually they focus on one thing and never cover results or its just a results video.