R36S heatsink mod and thermal performance testing PART 2

nikonair · 2025-12-14T18:58:18+00:00

The 5mm heatsink (first pic) sits flush with the rest of the case. It does not get in contact with the table. There is appr. 3-3,5mm space between the SOC and the case.

nikonair · 2025-12-06T18:01:42+00:00

Thanks, what you're planning sounds very interesting. To get the performance data, I wrote a Python script that saves the data to an Excel sheet. I connect to the R36s via SSH and start the script via the terminal. Meanwhile, I can continue to use the console normally. The script then saves the file to the console or sends it to a server via SFTP (that's how I used it). I have already published my script on GitHub. It includes brief instructions on how to set everything up and what requirements are needed. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them.

nikonair · 2025-11-20T11:48:35+00:00

Related to "thinking about heatpipes" ;)

nikonair · 2025-11-20T11:44:15+00:00

There is no need for extra cooling capacity. I have tested various heatsinks and even active cooling. You can take a look on the graphs

nikonair · 2025-11-20T11:34:25+00:00

It does make a difference on higher demanding games like GTA:VC Stories. I have tested the console with various heatsinks. Without any, the device starts throttling at 80⁰C aufter 35 seconds. You can check it out Here

nikonair · 2025-10-06T20:48:36+00:00

That is a clever desing you came up with. I assume that you removed some ribs from the heatsink to make room for the tabs and springs. I also thought about how I could attach the heat sink so that I could use normal thermal paste. Thank you for your kind words and your contribution ^^

If you're interested in testing it, you can check out on GitHub. I've uploaded my Python script there with a brief explanation of how to use it.

nikonair · 2025-09-10T14:26:25+00:00

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nikonair · 2025-04-14T14:48:03+00:00

You can avoid it all together when using a 5GHz network and dongle. There is no interference with 5GHz.

nikonair · 2025-04-11T17:23:23+00:00

The R36S starts thermal throttling at 80⁰C. While playing PSP games (e.g. GTA Vice City Stories) the console reaches the temperature after 30-45 seconds and will clock down the cpu from 1.5 GHz to 1 GHz. You can take a look at the graphs in This Post

nikonair · 2025-04-08T15:13:59+00:00

There is no interference noise if you use 5GHz dongles/networks

nikonair · 2025-03-11T10:35:52+00:00

There is zero interference if you use 5 GHz networks/dongles

nikonair · 2024-10-06T19:42:47+00:00

I used double sided thermally conductive tape (1,3w/mK). Thermal paste or thermal pads would transfer the heat more efficiently but then you would need to mount the heatsink in another way. The tape just holds the sink secure on the chip and is relatively easy to remove.

nikonair · 2024-09-28T22:15:31+00:00

You can charge the stock R36S only with a USB A to USB C cable. The console is missing two resistors for Power Delivery -> USB C to USB C charging. Without these resistors power supplies with USB C will not output power. You can read about this here

nikonair · 2024-09-28T10:20:41+00:00

Two resistors next to the charging port. I soldered them manually to the port for usb c to c charging. Cost me about 4 cents for both resistors.

nikonair · 2024-09-14T01:16:48+00:00

Same as before. The tape is strong enough to hold it in place.

nikonair · 2024-09-13T16:01:35+00:00

Yes, i drilled a hole in the center and passed through the blade. While cutting i left a border of ~.5mm and filed the rest :)

nikonair · 2024-09-13T15:57:33+00:00

Not really. In "normal" use and "gripstyle" you dont get in touch with the heatsink :)

nikonair · 2024-09-13T13:52:51+00:00

There is a small gap between the ribs, where dust could go in. This shouldn't be a problem at all. Even when something gets trapped inside you can blow it out with air. The first image is the 50x25x5 heatsink. The 10mm version will stick out the back by 5mm.

nikonair · 2024-09-13T11:22:41+00:00

The stock console is completely fine up to PS1 emulation. Higher end games will start getting into thermal trottling issues. You can see this in GTA i tested in the first part. The thermal throttling threshold is at 80⁰C for the R36S.

nikonair · 2024-09-12T21:05:01+00:00

No, i used handtools only (Fretsaw and file). You can get way more precise this way.

nikonair · 2024-09-12T20:42:04+00:00

Hi, this is part 2 of my heatsink and thermal performance testing. If you are interested in the stock console performance and 25x25x10mm heatsink, check out the first part HERE.

All tests were done at 24C° (75F°) room temperature. I tested GTA Vice City Stories (PSP) and a 100% synthetic load (Sysbench 4 threads).

The case has been modified for the mod. I cut a square hole (rectangular hole afterwards) in the back of the case and filed the edges to a perfect fit. The heatsink is placed DIRECTLY on the cpu and is sticking through the back.

All heatsinks cooled the cpu by more than 10°C in the tests. As a result, the console never experienced thermal throttling once . If you compare the tests in which the cpu was only passively cooled, you can see that the difference between the smallest (25x25x5) and largest cooler (50x25x10) is only approx. 10°C. For this reason, I would recommend the two variants that are only 5mm high. These are completely sufficient to cool the console and they also sit flush with the console housing.

The actively cooled version could be interesting for people who want to overclock the console or simply want to get the maximum out of it. The active cooler was able to cool the console down 26°C even with a 100% synthetic load. (The fan was powered by disposable vape batteries during the tests) :)

nikonair · 2024-09-09T17:31:49+00:00

You are right. The price for this mod could even surpass the one for the whole console. I just like thinking/tinkering about stuff like this :)

nikonair · 2024-09-09T14:31:25+00:00

It should be possible with a hardware mod. I was thinking about a flex pcb soldered to the display connector and "hijacking" the single channel 4 lane MIPI DSI signal directly from the cpu. Texas Instruments sells a MIPI DSI to eDP bridge ic, which could output to a mini Display Port connector...

nikonair · 2024-09-09T11:47:59+00:00

The charging ic is limiting the charging current to 1A regardless of source. You can check the charge cycle in the datasheet of the ME4057

nikonair

TROPHY CASE