Zephyr XDK cooling idea/question

Discussion in 'Xbox 360 Development' started by Stipo360, Jun 28, 2014.

  1. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200
    So recently, i have come to the conclusion that my JTAG (falcon) stays MUCH cooler then my XDK Zephyr. i don't have much expertise with the Zephyr motherboards as this is my first zephyr, i was wondering.. The falcons have been fitted with a new GPU heatsink (see pictures below) is it possible to apply a Falcon heatsink model onto a zephyr for better cooling? i'm not 100% sure, but i think zephyrs (or at least early models) do not have that extra heatsink addon (again, see below) could this excessive heating issue be a cause of faulty thermal paste (i did the towel trick if you remember) would that of rendered the GPU/CPU paste almost useless.. and it NEEDS a replacement? or does thermal paste not dry up under extreme heat? thanks! - Stipo360

    FALCON MOBO

    rAWNlf7.jpg

    Xenon/ Early Zephyr

    7hMCRCt.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
  2. XboxSurgeon

    XboxSurgeon Site Supporter Since 2013

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    388
    Yes. You can take the heatsinks from a Falcon/Jasper and place them onto the XDK zephyr.
     
  3. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200

    Great news! thanks :)
     
  4. XboxSurgeon

    XboxSurgeon Site Supporter Since 2013

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    388
    Just be careful to pop the sidecar off the top of the kit before you pull the console shell apart. The 6 leg/tabs are fragile on the bottom of the sidecar.
     
  5. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200
    big time, i'm not even sure i'm ready yet, i'm gonna slowly work my way to unlocking the sidecar legs, one by one, learning the technique as i go, last thing i want is a damaged car >.< every picture i've seen of a sidecar online has its legs chipped off xD so i'm gonna go ahead and assume its one HELL of a job
     
  6. drahcir

    drahcir Halo Build Enthusiast - Site Supporter 2015

    Joined:
    Apr 2, 2012
    Messages:
    232
    Likes Received:
    140
    For the two pins closest to the front of the kit I would recommend using something like a shirt hanger that has been bent straight. So use the standard method for the middle and back pins after that gently hold up the sidecar so you can look from the back to the front and use the shirt hanger to get the front pins. Sounds a little complicated but after you do it a few times you'll understand.
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
  7. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200

    Thanks! This needs to be done immediately because my GPU/CPU temps on the XDK are running at IDLE temps of 50ish C... and i'm running these crazy external fans, So there is definitely a thermal paste issue goin on here, its as if all the thermal paste dried up and magically evaporated. Since my jtag never goes above 42C .. EVEN after like 2 hours of intense forza gameplay or something. :/ it kind of scares me.. because of this i don't dare to play more then 20 minutes on my XDK just yet haha.

    Call me crazy if you'd like, since there are people out there who think 65-70C IDLE is A-OK. but i am not one of those people lol, i really don't want the XDK to RROD. EVEN if 50C IDLE is normal.. since im used to 35C IDLE from my jtag.. :/
     
    Last edited: Jun 28, 2014
  8. XboxSurgeon

    XboxSurgeon Site Supporter Since 2013

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    388
    Have you used those fan xex's I provided?
     
  9. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200
    Yup, all my units run 100% fan speed .xex's
     
  10. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200

    look at this : why the hell is idle so hot xD AND i'm running my external fan things aswell! WTF D: it MUST be the thermal paste huh?

    9Oi63MH.jpg
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
  11. Pikkon

    Pikkon "Moving in Stereo"

    Joined:
    Mar 4, 2005
    Messages:
    2,575
    Likes Received:
    20
    Well you could always remove the dvd drive and add a fan on the gpu heatsink.
     
  12. XboxSurgeon

    XboxSurgeon Site Supporter Since 2013

    Joined:
    Nov 18, 2013
    Messages:
    1,524
    Likes Received:
    388
    Xenons and Zephyrs always run hot. I am a firm believer Microsoft designed them to be toasters and accidentally created a gaming console.
     
  13. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200
    Hahahah xD
     
  14. wan5

    wan5 <B>Site Supporter 2014</B>

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    Messages:
    264
    Likes Received:
    4
    Your thermal paste has dried bud, clean it off and reapply, hopefully the towel trick has not ruined the console.

    Ive also noticed in the pictures that you tend to keep your xdk really close to your psu's. Move them, there heat generators also. In your last thread im sure i saw a picture of your console ontop of two psu's. Heat rises buddy! :p
     
  15. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200

    aha no worries man! that's just for display for pictures :p when i actually use the console its in a very good spot, away from any blockage :)
     
  16. wan5

    wan5 <B>Site Supporter 2014</B>

    Joined:
    May 19, 2009
    Messages:
    264
    Likes Received:
    4
    Ah i see, yes best keep em apart when running
     
  17. MSX

    MSX Is secretly 32-bit ---- Site Supporter 2013 & 2014

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2011
    Messages:
    444
    Likes Received:
    3
    Of course with later revisions, they shrink the CPU and GPU so they generate less heat. Of course they would improve the heatsinks so Falcons/Jaspers don't cook their guts, but I wouldn't expect to see too drastic of improvements (maybe 3 degrees?). I would also get a fan speed xex and crack up the speed to help. May sound like a freight train but it will help. Keeps my Xenon JTAG cool. Doesn't reach the 60s untill it's been gamed on for a few hours.

    EDIT: Reread one of your posts. I see you already have a fan speed xex lol.

    First there was the Nintoaster, now there is the XToast360.
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
  18. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200
    haha yeah xD my first ever xbox 360 was a xenon, which RROR'ed. now of course back then i didnt have the jtag mod on it so i couldn't tell the temperature, AND it was running stock fans.. yet it lived on for about 1 and a half years ish, this being my first zephyr i am very new to seeing such temperatures, as now with it being an XDK, i CAN check the temps.. i'm used to bone cold CPU/GPU temps my falcons give out, for this very reason i am going to swap out my retail's heatsink sets from one of my falcons and place em in the XDK, should definitely help!
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014
  19. DeCrYpTiC

    DeCrYpTiC Rising Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2011
    Messages:
    73
    Likes Received:
    0
    If you're really feeling ambitious, you could try something like this:
    https://xbox-experts.com/shop/-xbox...uniclamp--x-clamp-repair-kit-w-paste--45/EUR/
    I never realized how well this worked until today. I took one of my old Xenon JTAGs out of the garage with RROD 0102. I had installed this a while back, but after installation it still had RROD. Taking a closer look at it, I noticed the side of the plate opposite the RAM was grounding the console on a couple of points. I took it off, used wire cutters to trim down the points, then reinstalled. After reflowing with a 0022, the CPU runs at 60 degrees, 20 degrees cooler than my other Xenon JTAG. You can feel the heat radiate out the back of the chassis thanks to the heat pads on the bottom. I'd recommend it. Only problem is it's a bitch to install. You have to drill through the chassis, then sand, and then getting the washers in place is crazy difficult. You feel like MacGyver playing operation when setting it up. But overall I think it is the next best thing to reballing and fan speed modding.
     
  20. Stipo360

    Stipo360 Dead Rising & XDKs

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2014
    Messages:
    887
    Likes Received:
    200

    Thanks! ill have a look at it :) Though my intentions are to keep the console as stock looking as physically possible but yet while still addressing the heating issue, if i ever want to sell it :p itll be a bitch to sell when i have to mention there's a third party product in it :/ for a jtag that's A-OK.. but for an XDK, that's quite dodgy
     
    Last edited: Jun 29, 2014

Share This Page