Which console has the most efficient cooling system?
We have detailed thermal and noise measurements for the latest revision of the PS5, so it was only a matter of time before we found an Xbox Series X, ran similar tests, and compared the results. Once we bought a brand new Series X, we broke it apart, installed a bunch of sensors, and didn't lose any time.
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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Breaking apart the Xbox Series X is far easier than the PS5, but still, you need to be extra careful, especially with some connectors. If you have a little experience taking apart electronic devices, opening up the Xbox is nothing to worry about, and you can always look at some videos on YouTube to get prepared.
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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
Above, we have some photos that we took while performing surgery on our XBox Series X.
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(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
(Image credit: Tom's Hardware)
The photos above show where we installed the temperature sensors. Usually, this is a two-person job, but since everyone was busy at the lab during that day, one unlucky person had to handle it. Thankfully everything went well since we are talking about a brand new and hard-to-find Xbox with a broken warranty!
The Xbox Series X uses a particular thermal interface to maintain contact between the heat sinks and parts that need cooling, called Tputty 607. This gap filler material is crazy-expensive. We paid 92 euros (around $104) for a 30cc syringe! If you are careful while removing the heat sinks, you won't need to replace or add more putty, saving lots of money.
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