The Comprehensive PS3 Fan Guide

It seems a lot of people are still hungry for more information about their PS3’s fan: how loud should it be?  And when should the PS3’s fan kick in?  I’m hoping that this is THE comprehensive PS3 fan guide that will tell you everything you wanted to know.  I’ve done the hard work for you and hunted amongst Sony’s support sites and documents. I mean, let’s face it- how many of us will actually read through an instruction manual cover-to-cover?

NB: if you want to see the documentation directly, I’ve linked straight to the source.  Anything I am directly referring to will be quoted, and my own advice written underneath.  So, shall we begin?

Common solutions for troubleshooting the PLAYSTATION 3 system

Check your Environment

  • Make sure to allow adequate ventilation to flow from the PLAYSTATION 3 system’s vents (i.e. avoid obstructing the vents etc.).
  • Make sure to keep the PLAYSTATION 3 system away from excessive dust, smoke, steam, extreme temperatures, humidity, or direct sunlight.
  • See the PLAYSTATION 3 system Safety and Support guide for full details on Safety Precautions and Use and Handling.

I’ll add that the best way to position, and therefore cool your PS3, is to stand it on its side, so that it is in the vertical position.  This ensures that a greater surface area of the PS3 can be in contact with air.  If you have enough room, place your PS3 on the same level as your TV, rather than in a confined shelf where there will not be much fresh air circulating.  See the picture below:

Notice the location and position of the PS3- allows for optimum cooling eficciency
Notice the location and position of the PS3- allows for optimum cooling efficiency

Anyhow, let’s have a look at the next document, shall we?

PLAYSTATION 3 system Safety and Support guide

Use and handling

  • Do not allow liquid, small particles, or other foreign objects to get into the system or accessories.
  • Do not expose the system or accessories to dust, smoke or steam.  Also,  do not place the system in an area subject to excessive dust or cigarette smoke.  Dust build-up or cigarette smoke residue on the internal components (such as the lens) may cuase the system to malfunction.

Vents

Do not block any vents.  To maintain good ventilation, follow the guidelines below:

  • Place the system at least 10cm away from a wall surface.
  • Do not place on a carpet or rug with long fibres.
  • Do not place in a narrow or cramped space.
  • Do not cover with cloth.
  • Do not allow dust to build up on the vents.

Cleaning
– Vents

  • When dust accumulates in the system vents, remove the dust with a low-powered vacuum cleaner.

Other Issues

– The system makes noise

  • When using the system in a location where heat can build up, such as an enclosed AV cabinet, the fan will rotate rapidly to reduce the system’s internal temperature and this may generate increased noise.  Move the system to a location with good ventilation.

Most of this documentation is common sense, but what is the main message flowing through the documentation?  You could say ‘location, location, location’.  But in this case, it’s probably ‘ventilation, ventilation, ventilation.’  If you follow official Sony guidance (listed above) then you shouldn’t be having any problems.  Check your environment and follow the steps for cleaning your PS3 and removing dust.  As for running the PS3 fan test on 40Gb PS3s… rather you than me.

The PS3’s fan is very quiet.  If you are experiencing abnormally loud fan noises for a sustained amount of time, then double-check the location of your PS3.  If the location is fine, then you may have a faulty PS3.

See also: PS3 Fan Noise Controversy.  It contains extra info which may help you to  put this article into context.  If I’ve missed something then either send me an email, or comment on this article, and I’ll update it!

PS3 Fan Noise Controversy

Updated December 2008

I’ve been reading an interesting article in PS3 Fanboy entitled ‘Clean your PS3 fan with quick-n-easy test‘ which is for 40Gb PS3s and works by running a fan test, which speeds up the fan and also supposedly ‘blows out the dust…essentially cleaning it up’. Fair enough.

What is interesting though is the controversy and misinformation about PS3 fan noise in the comments section at the end of the article. To be honest, it looks like it has turned into a bit of a flame war so let’s try and rationalise things a little bit.

Some people are saying that the 40Gb PS3 sounds really loud, and the 60Gb version doesn’t (who knows about the 80Gb version, whatever) and they use examples such as this on YouTube. Now, I have a 40Gb PS3 and let me tell you it doesn’t sound like that at all; in fact, I can barely hear it. So I’m thinking that with the YouTube example given, and what such people are saying, I can infer two conclusions: either a faulty PS3, or a PS3 being run with the fan test. It’s as simple as that.

Other people have been saying that the 60Gb is louder than the 40Gb, although I couldn’t possibly comment on that. However I’ve been gaming with a mate who has a 60Gb PS3 and it sounds comparable to mine; I believe any difference will be negligible.

So what on earth is the point I am trying to make? Once they’ve started up PS3s are very quiet, I mean sometimes it doesn’t even sound like they’re turned on (although the lights are lit up of course). In general, PS3s are made to a very high quality; they keep very cool and the sound is kept to a minimum so if you have a particularly loud PS3 then there is a good possibility that there might be something wrong with it.

December 2008 update: I now find myself in possession of an 80GB PS3.  As to why this is the case, I direct you here for more information.  It is my observation that the fan noise on this model is slightly louder than my old 40GB model.  Why is this the case?  I honestly don’t know, and can only speculate.  Still though, the noise is not really that noticable and nothing for concern.

If your PS3 sounds very loud, then my advice above still stands.  There might be something wrong with your PS3, so get it checked out.  The people to call are the Sony care line.  In addition, you may want to check out the comprehensive PS3 fan guide.