Welcome to the second article in the series on cleaning and maintaining the PlayStation 4 Pro! Let's see how to replace the PS4 Pro thermal paste. We'll also replace the CR2032 clock backup battery and thoroughly clean the heatsink and the other internal components of the Sony PlayStation.
Have you just bought a used Sony PlayStation 4? Is the fan spinning so fast that your PS4 sounds ready to take off? Is your PS4 Pro making too much noise? Let me tell you one thing: that is not normal. Fortunately, the solution is fairly simple. The Sony PlayStation 4 needs to be cleaned, and the CPU thermal paste needs to be replaced.
In the first article we completely disassembled the PS4, taking the necessary precautions, and found the causes of the overheating: dust in the heatsink and dried-out CPU thermal paste.
In this second article, we'll replace the CPU thermal paste with Noctua NT-H1, replace the internal battery, and clean the heatsink and fan. Finally, in the third and last article, we'll see how to reassemble the PS4 Pro.
Cleaning the PS4 Pro Chassis
Before replacing the PS4 Pro thermal paste, we can clean all the parts we have disassembled. Plastic components such as the upper and lower covers contain no electronics.
Dust them with a microfiber cloth.
If the two covers are particularly dirty, they can also be washed in water and scrubbed with a soft-bristled toothbrush. A small amount of degreaser can be added to the water.
After thoroughly washing the parts that contain no electronic components, dry them with a microfiber cloth and compressed air. Use compressed air gently to avoid damaging delicate plastic parts.
Make sure everything is completely dry. For chassis sections that contain electronic components, use a microfiber cloth and a soft-bristled brush. Compressed air can also be used, but gently.
The PS4 Pro power supply should also be cleaned. Use compressed air for the inside, while the exterior can be cleaned with a soft-bristled brush and microfiber cloth.
Cleaning the PlayStation 4 Pro Fan
Clean the fan very carefully. Use a soft-bristled brush to remove dust from every blade. If you use compressed air, hold the fan still. Do not let the fan spin freely under compressed air, as this can damage or unbalance it.
As I pointed out in the first article in the series, if the fan produced a smooth but very loud airflow noise, like a private jet, it probably only needs cleaning. If instead it sounded more like a helicopter or diesel engine, the fan may be worn or out of alignment and should be replaced.
Cleaning the PlayStation 4 Pro CPU Heatsink
Clean the heatsink with a soft-bristled brush and compressed air. Since it is a fairly robust component, you can use a stronger airflow here. Blow all dust out of the heatsink until the fins are completely clear. If this was the dirty heatsink:
After a thorough cleaning, the heatsink should look almost new.
How to Replace the PS4 Clock Battery
Since the PS4 is already disassembled, it is worth checking the clock backup battery. It is a standard CR2032 lithium cell. Measure its voltage with a multimeter: in my case, it reads 3.05 V. The battery is not completely discharged, but a fresh lithium cell is typically closer to 3.2 V.
To replace the battery, gently spread one of the retaining tabs and slide the cell out of the holder.
We can then install a new, fully charged CR2032 lithium battery.
As soon as the PS4 connects to the internet, it can obtain the correct time. Alternatively, the system date and time can be set manually in the PS4 settings.
How to Clean the PS4 Pro Motherboard
As I pointed out in the first article, when handling electronic components, remember to avoid clothing that can generate static electricity, especially wool sweaters or fleece garments. Before touching cables or components, discharge yourself by touching a grounded metal object, such as a metal table leg or grounded metal surface. This reduces the risk of damaging components with electrostatic discharge from your body.
Dust the PS4 motherboard with a soft-bristled brush. You may also use a gentle flow of compressed air. Gentle is the key word: excessive air pressure can damage components and permanently damage the console.
PS4 Pro Thermal Paste Replacement
Now for the most anticipated part: replacing the PlayStation 4 Pro CPU thermal paste. Using a cotton cloth moistened with alcohol, start by cleaning the heatsink surface that contacts the CPU.
Remove the old thermal paste from the PS4 CPU using a cotton cloth moistened with alcohol.
This thermal paste is not electrically conductive, so a small amount reaching the tiny electronic components around the CPU should not cause a short circuit.
In my case, I wanted to remove every trace of it, so I carefully used a soft-bristled toothbrush moistened with alcohol. You can avoid this extra step.
Clean the shiny CPU surface thoroughly but gently.
Here is the clean CPU, ready for fresh thermal paste.
Thermal paste improves heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink. I chose Noctua NT-H1.
When pressing the plunger, the first small amount of thermal paste from the tube may be slightly dry. I recommend discarding the first few millimeters. Then place a small amount of thermal paste on the PS4 CPU by pressing the plunger of the Noctua NT-H1. Use enough paste to cover the entire CPU surface once spread. Some people recommend an amount about the size of a grain of rice and let the pressure between the CPU and heatsink spread it.
I prefer to place a small amount of thermal paste on the PlayStation 4 CPU and spread it with a small plastic or rubber spatula. This makes it easier to cover the entire heat-transfer surface without applying too much. The thermal-paste layer on the CPU should be fairly thin, as shown in the photos below.
Both extremes are wrong: too much thermal paste, as well as too little, can reduce heat transfer from the CPU to the heatsink.
To Be Continued...
Perfect, we have completed all the internal maintenance:
- thorough cleaning of all PlayStation 4 components;
- cleaning the heatsink and fan;
- replacing the PS4 Pro thermal paste;
- replacing the clock backup battery.
We can now reassemble the PlayStation 4 Pro. That is the subject of the third article.