The Raspberry Pi 3 is one of the most popular versions among enthusiasts, but nobody denies that it suffers from serious thermal issues. Simply installing a small heatsink helps, but the best option is active cooling. The key is to create the right bracket for the fan, and that's exactly what Ofer Dekel from Microsoft Research suggests. The temperature differences are impressive.
The Heat Problem
The Raspberry Pi 3 has earned its place as the centerpiece of many DIY projects. From retro console replicas to media servers, the mini computer adapts to almost anything the user asks of it. Still, the Raspberry Pi 3 is not perfect. There are several details that need to be optimized (the arrows point to 2019 for its next version), and one very critical one is temperature. Beyond what the foundation says, the Raspberry Pi 3's SoC can reach 90 degrees in the worst case. The market quickly responded with heatsinks that stick onto the chip and cases with fans, but Ofer Dekel from Microsoft Research gives us an efficient solution, as long as we have access to a 3D printer.
A Simple Bracket
The plan is to create a plastic bracket (its original design belongs to Spencer Persaud) that takes advantage of the original holes on the PCB. That means the accessory is not exclusive to the Raspberry Pi 3; it can also be used on the Raspberry Pi 2B and the 1B+. Depending on the resources of the 3D printer, the user can print a version with legs, or a simpler one that requires nylon spacers or similar material. The fan is installed at an angle, at a minimal but sufficient distance from the camera connector. The heatsink is not strictly necessary, but its presence is highly recommended, and the following chart explains why.
Test Results
Dekel ran four stress tests on the Raspberry Pi 3, and the results are conclusive. With no cooling, the SoC reached 85 degrees in a matter of seconds and activated its throttling function to protect itself. The heatsink alone also left much to be desired, and with sustained operation it stayed just below 80 degrees (if the Raspberry Pi 3 is installed in another case, it will likely exceed that temperature). On the other hand, the fan had no trouble keeping the computer below 65 degrees, and the combination of heatsink plus fan stayed just above 45. In short, that's almost 40 degrees of difference for less than seven dollars in parts.
