If it's getting that hot in the backbox, then it's a really, really inefficient power supply ...
(Topic ID: 137932)
Linked Games
Game of Thrones (LE)
Stern, 2015-
Game of Thrones (Premium)
Stern, 2015
-
Game Of Thrones (Pro)
Stern, 2015
-
Ghostbusters (Pro)
Stern, 2016
-
KISS (LE)
Stern, 2015
-
KISS (Premium)
Stern, 2015
-
KISS (Pro)
Stern, 2015
-
WWE Wrestlemania (Pro)
Stern, 2015
There are more than 8 games linked to this topic.
Click here to show all linked games
Click here to show all linked games
Topic Gallery
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider rubberducks.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Point still stands though. I've used passive (PC) PSUs in computer builds a number of times, for wattages exceeding what a full LED new Stern will ever draw. At 350W they barely get warm. Of course the CPU, mobo, RAM & graphics card dissipate quite a bit of heat, but the chips used for the Spike boards will barely dissipate anything. I don't see why there'd be tons of convection from coils etc in main cabinet, because that doesn't seem to be a problem in other machines ... and the old BW games with backboxes stuffed with wiring and what ought to be much less power efficient boards don't get so hot (in my experience).
Quoted from bhwolf:Agree rubberducks. Just for fun, I put temp probes in both my ToM (all LEDs) and GoT, left them on attract. Ambient was around 66 F. After a couple of hours, the backbox temps were:
ToM: 86 F
GoT: 80 F
Results about what I expected. The main point here is that Stern could've addressed this if they wanted to. The PSU could've had a larger/different fan layout, aluminum or larger box, etc., or silent as you mention. The fan noise is definitely the PSU fan, likely triggered by an internal temp probe. When it kicks on it definitely moves some air for its size, but at the cost of noise. Seems to be either on or off -- better would be always on but much slower.
This kind of reminds me of the original Xbox 360 -- the fan could've been quieter, but instead sounded like a jet engine.
That result for the GoT is much worse than that for the ToM though ... there are no fans (air movement) at all in ToM and flow of air via convection out of the backbox vents is hindered by the mass of wiring and boards.
It just seems like the power delivery part of the board is very inefficient; at least far lower than it should be on a modern board.
Do you know if they're using good solid core Japan made caps? I assume not.
Promoted items from Pinside Marketplace and Pinside Shops!
Highland, UT
You're currently viewing posts by Pinsider rubberducks.
Click here to go back to viewing the entire thread.
Reply
Wanna join the discussion? Please sign in to reply to this topic.
Hey there! Welcome to Pinside!
Donate to PinsideGreat to see you're enjoying Pinside! Did you know Pinside is able to run without any 3rd-party banners or ads, thanks to the support from our visitors? Please consider a donation to Pinside and get anext to your username to show for it! Or better yet, subscribe to Pinside+!
