Folding@Home bad for PS3?

[rich152]

Is this true that folding can make it overheat or damage the console in the long run if it is kept on too long?

I'm getting a PS3 really soon and I really want to contribute by leaving my PS3 on at nights.

Thanks if anyone can help.

[Sam_From_Space]

Nope, I've left it folding for over 2 weeks, nothing happened.

[gruddy]

They wouldn't build in a feature if it would damage the system.

Don't worry about it.

Where did you get this idea?

[MiNiMaL_sAnItY]

Described in one word:

No!

[rich152]

I've just been hearing a lot about overheating so I wanted to clear things up.
Thanks to everyone that contributed! :)

[NYFAN]

I've just been hearing a lot about overheating so I wanted to clear things up.
Thanks to everyone that contributed! :)


Not trash talking but that was with the 360.... I have not heard of any overheating issues with the PS3.

Plus it has a safety feature in it that it will shut off automatically if it get's to hot..:DD

[Xsjado]

nahh, every now and then you need the cobwebs dusted out.

[60gps3uk]

dont worry, its a PS3, its not an Xbox 360 you're dealing with here! :mrgreen:

[Rhysivich]

Some members of these boards have folded over 100,000 and are still going strong - according to them, theres no problem.

[T-Dogg400]

It will not damage ur systems but i would suggest to plan ur time right cuaz many of us out there dont want our console on all night, they think it might over heat and costing of the bill aswell lol

[Black Beard]

My experience of F@H comes from running it on mid spec PC's and laptops some years ago, I haven't used the feature on PS3 but here are my thoughts anyway.

F@H application will use 100% of your CPU cycles (the amount of calculations it can perform per second). A processor running at 100% will generate alot more heat than one that is idle. Excess heat will kill electronics, but this only really becomes an issue if the device has insufficient cooling. I believe the PS3 has pretty good cooling (probably part of the reason that F@H is bundled with the console), however if you operate you PS3 in a stuffy, dusty, confined environment - you will drastically reduce the efficiency of the cooling system and potentially lead to internal temps which will stress the internal electronics in the long run.

Also consider the energy consumption. A processor running at 100% capacity will draw a lot more current than one that is idle, your cooling fans will run at high speed more frequently to keep temps down and heaven forbid if you have air conditioning you might be tempted to run it 24/7 just to keep your ps3 cool. Thats a lot of energy to consume on something that you are essentially getting no benefit from - but if you're a 14 year old, and mummy and daddy pay the bills then that certainly won't stop you.