Question thermal paste in PS2 Slim

[nandobadam]

I won and stored a PS2 Slim 90000 for a long time and I noticed that between the metal plate and the CPU there is a little thermal paste. Is it necessary to remove this white thermal paste because it damages the stored console or can I keep this thermal paste without problems indefinitely because I power the console once a year for 1 hour?
example:

 

[Bill_Bright]

None of the above. First, I don't know what your 2 images are supposed to be showing us.

Second, properly applied TIM (thermal interface material) will easily last 10, 15 years or longer AS LONG AS the cured bond between the heatsink and processor has not been broken. This is regardless if the device is kept in storage, used only occasionally, or used constantly.

If WAY too much TIM was applied when the heatsink was mounted and some TIM worked its way out, that is not a problem as long as the excess TIM did not get into the processor socket area, or spew over onto motherboard circuit traces. The exception is liquid metal TIM but if that was used, problems would become apparent almost immediately.

So, if that TIM you noticed has been there for some time, then no, you don't need to clean it up.

 

[nandobadam]

in my case sequence CPU/thermal pad/thermal paste/metal

If I keep the thermal paste and never replace it in the future paste dry or liquid transform, will the PS2 Slim 90000 have heating problems because of the paste? I turn on the console once a year for 1 hour

 

[Bill_Bright]

in my case sequence CPU/thermal pad/thermal paste/metal

What? Are you using a thermal pad with thermal paste? If so, did you do that or is that how it came from the factory?

I don't own a PS/2 but my training has ALWAYS been to use one or the other, not both at the same time. This means, if applying thermal paste, it is absolutely essential to thoroughly remove the old TIM and clean the mating surfaces before adding new TIM.

If you applied new TIM over the old, you might have heating issues.

The fact you power on the console once a year is not a factor.

 

[nandobadam]

The previous owner of the PS2 applied the paste but I didn't change it and I didn't remove the metal.

CPU/thermal pad/thermal paste/metal is the sequence.

the thermal TIM pad has never been changed, it is original from Sony, it does not have two thermal pads

 

[Bill_Bright]

If you are not overheating now, I would not worry about it. You risk accidentally damaging something if you try to replace it now.

HOWEVER, in the future (of if you are having heat issues now), I would use isopropyl alcohol and a soft microfiber cloth to thoroughly clean the mating surfaces of both layers of old TIM then apply a fresh, new, thin but thorough layer of new TIM.

 

[nandobadam]

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system to emit a warning signal before the temperature reduces the CPU's lifespan? If this signal occurs, I will take action.

Does the thermal paste on top of the thermal pad block the heat exchange between the CPU and metal?

 

[Bill_Bright]

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system to emit a warning signal

A warning signal? I doubt it. But almost all processors have built in thermal protection where they will automatically shut down before they get too hot.

TIM only needs to fill the microscopic pits and valleys in the mating surfaces so any excess is actually in the way of the most efficient transfer of heat. So the extra will not block the heat transfer but it does make it less effective. Keep the device clean of heat-trapping dust will surely help.

 

[Dr. Dro]

The EE/GS chip here only needs a thermal pad, not thermal paste. It is 0.5mm thick, please follow this guide

PlayStation 2 Slimline SCPH-900xx Motherboard Replacement

Follow this guide to replace the motherboard of the PlayStation 2 Slimline and apply a new thermal pad.

www.ifixit.com

You should not add anything else

 

[nandobadam]

If I keep this thermal paste previously applied above the thermal pad, will it heat up and damage the CPU? Is it urgent to open the console and remove the thermal paste?

 

[DirtyDingusMcgee]

How is it gonna overheat if you only turn it on for an hour once a year? Is it correct? No. Is it an urgent problem? Also no. If you have it torn that far apart, go ahead and do it, or else don't worry about it.

Decay, entropy, and cosmic radiation are probably killing it faster than heat if it doesn't get used more often than that.

 

[Bill_Bright]

How is it gonna overheat if you only turn it on for an hour once a year?

What does once a year have to do with it? It doesn't. It could be 10 times a day, once a month, or once a year - doesn't mater.

And a processor can go from cool to overheated in just a few clock cycles - and there are several 100 million clock cycles every second with this system. So an hour? Sure. In fact if case cooling is flawed, the entire unit could easily get excessively heated well within an hour.

If I keep this thermal paste previously applied above the thermal pad, will it heat up and damage the CPU?

You keep asking the same question. Sorry you don't seem to believe what I told you earlier - but it is true. If it is not overheating now, don't worry about. And the processor will self-protect itself if it get too hot to prevent any permanent damage.

But if it is overheating, or if you just can't stand leaving it as it is, then follow the link and guide provide by Dr. Dro and replace what is there now.

Understand there is NO WAY any of us can tell from here if it will overheat. So no point to keep asking us.

 

[eidairaman1]

in my case sequence CPU/thermal pad/thermal paste/metal

If I keep the thermal paste and never replace it in the future paste dry or liquid transform, will the PS2 Slim 90000 have heating problems because of the paste? I turn on the console once a year for 1 hour

Just find a thermal pad that matches the gap, plus .25 or .5 mm

 

[nandobadam]

Currently it does not appear to be overheating after an hour of use and the console does not turn off or restart

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system that prevents the CPU from reaching a temperature that reduces its useful life expectancy of chips processors?

 

[eidairaman1]

Currently it does not appear to be overheating after an hour of use and the console does not turn off or restart

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system that prevents the CPU from reaching a temperature that reduces its useful life expectancy of chips processors?

You might find it on youtube, being a newer model i would say so.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

Currently it does not appear to be overheating after an hour of use and the console does not turn off or restart

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system that prevents the CPU from reaching a temperature that reduces its useful life expectancy of chips processors?

All processors have included that since the 90s.

What does once a year have to do with it? It doesn't. It could be 10 times a day, once a month, or once a year - doesn't mater.

And a processor can go from cool to overheated in just a few clock cycles - and there are several 100 million clock cycles every second with this system. So an hour? Sure. In fact if case cooling is flawed, the entire unit could easily get excessively heated well within an hour.


You keep asking the same question. Sorry you don't seem to believe what I told you earlier - but it is true. If it is not overheating now, don't worry about. And the processor will self-protect itself if it get too hot to prevent any permanent damage.

But if it is overheating, or if you just can't stand leaving it as it is, then follow the link and guide provide by Dr. Dro and replace what is there now.

Understand there is NO WAY any of us can tell from here if it will overheat. So no point to keep asking us.

You need a pretty powerful CPU to overheat in just a few seconds.

I know from experience that a Pentium G5400 can run with no heatsink or airflow for 15+ minutes, under linpack, without overheating. That CPU draws comparable power to the PS2 slim.

 

[Bill_Bright]

You need a pretty powerful CPU to overheat in just a few seconds.

No you don't. First, I said it can, not will. And all you need is an improperly mounted cooler and a demanding task.

And for the record, one anecdotal example does not render moot the whole point.

Anecdotal evidence

 

[Ruru]

Currently it does not appear to be overheating after an hour of use and the console does not turn off or restart

Does the PS2 Slim 90000 have a high temperature protection system that prevents the CPU from reaching a temperature that reduces its useful life expectancy of chips processors?

Just get a thermal pad like already said and clean that paste away. No experience from any of the slim models, I have a SCPH-50004 silver fat PS2 myself. And I simply use the stock thermal pad with it.

I don't own a PS/2

It's a Playstation 2, not an IBM Personal System/2.

 

[Bill_Bright]

It's a Playstation 2, not an IBM Personal System/2.

LOL Sorry. Force of habit. I used to support a contract that involved about 300 IBM PS/2 systems. My fingers don't always pay attention to what my mind is telling them.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

No you don't. First, I said it can, not will. And all you need is an improperly mounted cooler and a demanding task.

And for the record, one anecdotal example does not render moot the whole point.

Anecdotal evidence

Man, touched a nerve there, did I?

These are not power hungry chips. They are very slow to overheat, if they do at all. You're not gonna melt a PS2 slim in a few seconds with an improperly mounted heatsink. They dont get that hot. Anyone who has owned and used one could tell you that. If it did start getting hot, you'd hear the tiny fan ramp up to full speed, getting very loud int he process, and eventually the console would shut down and throw an error at you.

EDIT: nope, that video is wrong. It just blinks a red light if it overheats.

I'd love to see your scientific testing that shows 20 watt chips overheat in a few seconds instead of your anecdotal evidence that "they just do guys trust me".

Here's some video evidence for ya:

Look, it didnt blow up in a few seconds! Weird.

 

[Bill_Bright]

Okay, TheinsanegamerN, you win. It is impossible for a CPU to ever overheat in a few seconds.

Does that help the OP? Nope.