PS3 PAL fan noise levels; problem batches it seems.

[Elysium]

From my own experience and reading other forums - it seems that evidence is pointing to the fact that there are issues with a number of PAL launch PS3s that have problematic fans.

In many instances simply sliding around the x-bar for roughly 3 minutes (playing a few seconds of a video clip, aborting.. sliding around; repeating) results in the fan stepping up to 'level 1' .. then going into a game and playing for a further few minutes results in the fan stepping up to its most noticeable 'level 2' .. once the fan has stepped up aborting the game and returning to the x-bar and then letting the system idle for any length of time will result in the fan remaining at it highest and not stepping down at all ( as it is for others ) ..

I wonder how many users have the same problem ..

I purchased my unit from Currys and have noticed at least two other users who have had the same issue from that store; but equally users in other European territories are having the very same issues.. but many others the fan remains silent throughout most gameplay (stepping up to 'level 1' at most) and then stepping down when idle.

[HugoMorse]

I remember reading that some one PS3 operates much more silently when kept horizontal. Try that and report back to let us know how you get on.

[Elysium]

I remember reading that some one PS3 operates much more silently when kept horizontal. Try that and report back to let us know how you get on.

I originally had mine in the horizontal state and changed it to vertical to see if this helped; both result in the same easy stepping of the fan up to at least level 2.. and in both cases the fan will not step down even when left idling.

As I say, other forums are reporting similar issues .. with many PAL PS3 owners saying that their system steps up very rarely and is not audible outside of the disc activity; but when it does step up, it just as easily steps down when returning to the cross-bar menu.

[JP]

Mine is almost completely silent even at higher speeds. I'm not sure if it makes any difference but I have mine horizontal.

[Elysium]

Mine is almost completely silent even at higher speeds. I'm not sure if it makes any difference but I have mine horizontal.

Out of curiosity - does your unit also step down its fan level in the same session or does it remain at the highest level it has stepped up to? It seems that those with issues only step up.. and then remain there until switched off - and those without issues have units that also step down when idling.

[Hitcher]

Obviously yours heats up quicker than others.

Is it well ventilated? Is the room warm?

[JP]

Out of curiosity - does your unit also step down its fan level in the same session or does it remain at the highest level it has stepped up to? It seems that those with issues only step up.. and then remain there until switched off - and those without issues have units that also step down when idling.

No, the fan is designed to run at the speed it needs to get enough cool air inside. Mine runs faster when using the disc but it's never what I'd call noisy.

It's interesting to hear that it stays at a high speed on the problem machines. This could suggest a ventilation/heat problem around the PS3. Do you have plenty of space around yours? You should definitely have lots of space at the right (horizontal) or top (vertical) and near the power cord as that's where most of the heat is thrown out.

[Spark]

I would say the PS3 is the quietest console I've owned since the pre-Dreamcast days.

[Elysium]

No, the fan is designed to run at the speed it needs to get enough cool air inside. Mine runs faster when using the disc but it's never what I'd call noisy.

It's interesting to hear that it stays at a high speed on the problem machines. This could suggest a ventilation/heat problem around the PS3. Do you have plenty of space around yours? You should definitely have lots of space at the right (horizontal) or top (vertical) and near the power cord as that's where most of the heat is thrown out.

There is indeed plenty of open space around the PS3 ( vertical ) having made sure to eliminate any potential problems..

One example would be:

No disc is inside the unit - it is switched on and makes quick burst of the fan at what I would presume is its medium setting - returning then to its 'silent' state; the PS3 remains idle in the cross menu bar on "Music" (empty, nothing exists here) and after a few moments the fan steps on to what is presumed to be 'level 1' .. here it remains, noticeable that its on. The unit is in its vertical position and hovering my hand over the top visible vent reveals slight warm air coming through.. However, moving my hand to the back of the unit towards the bottom (near the power cord) reveals a much increased feeling of hot air from this position.

Now, I have left my unit on (remember, it has stepped up already to level 1) for roughly 8 minutes now and it is in the same position (idle.. on Music, nothing inside of Music) and it has now stepped up to its even noisier level 2 setting; without me doing a thing.. no game being played, no using of the menus..

-

A further side note - I have moved the unit completely away from everything and placed it this time in its horizontal position; turned it back on and once again left it idle at the cross-bar menu.. 1:45 minutes later the fan kicks in to level 1.

[CMcK]

I've had my UK model PS3 on continously running Folding@Home for nearly two weeks and it's still impressively quiet.
The machine is standing vertically about a metre from the nearest window. It's quite close to the chimney wall though.
Even when the heating is on it still isn't audible above the TV.

[pacrifice]

I've become concerned with mine too.

I've had mine since January but in the past week, the fan seems to be more active. I really hope i'm just being paranoid.

Is it possible that it has somethin to do with the 1.6 firmware? like i said, bought mine in january and the firmware was 1.5 or 1.54 somethin but never noticed anything with those firmwares.

[Elysium]

I've become concerned with mine too.

I've had mine since January but in the past week, the fan seems to be more active. I really hope i'm just being paranoid.

Is it possible that it has somethin to do with the 1.6 firmware? like i said, bought mine in january and the firmware was 1.5 or 1.54 somethin but never noticed anything with those firmwares.

My firmware still remains at 1.5 - and will probably update it before I take the system back, but at the moment the level of noise is something that is worrying.

I would presume that had you issues you would have noticed them earlier; and those that have problems can hear the fan during gaming with their TV turned to a normal volume setting; unlike the 360 which has to be turned up much much higher to drown out the drone that it makes.

The fan steps up every time; .. silent, then humming .. and then 360'ish noise when at level 2.

[Hitcher]

Or it's simply to do with the fact that the weather's got warmer so it's sucking in warmer air and the fan needs to work more to keep the machine cooler.

[Elysium]

Or it's simply to do with the fact that the weather's got warmer so it's sucking in warmer air and the fan needs to work more to keep the machine cooler.

There are definitely issues - as problematic PS3s have their fans ramp up to maximum without having to do anything more than idle for 20 minutes at a menu; and for the most part, most others have systems that remain virtually silent for the entire duration of use.

I have my unit boxed up and intend to return it as there was originally a strong smell coming from the system when used for the first time; which in hindsight should have acted as a warning.

I intend to get a refund or vouchers and wait until a further revision before purchasing again.

[mackemansj1]

Mine had a smell coming from it too, my fans sometimes ramp up in the menu but nothing thats very loud. I think ill hang fire with mine it isnt loud at all i suppose all is good as we have a 12 month warrenty in this country.