The PS3 ezChill can easily be installed into your “Fat Style” PlayStation 3 once the top casing has been removed. To clearly illustrate the process of installation, we have broken the procedure down into two sections: Opening the PS3, and Installing the PS3 ezChill.
Part one is common to all “fat” PS3 revisions. Once you get to part two, some steps differ depending on the model. Pick the relevant box for your console and the correct instructions will appear.
Part One - Opening The PS3
Step 1: Unplug the cables and power cord from your PS3 before starting. Peel off the warranty sticker and pull out the rubber cap (shown circled in purple). Then remove the Torx T10 Tamper Proof security screw that is in the hole. (*60GB Model may also need to remove Hard Drive cover.)
Step 2: Now slide the top lid to the left about one inch and lift straight up to remove. This will expose the screws that hold the top casing in place.
Step 3: Remove these 7 (or 9) screws. Blue = six long screws. Orange = one shorter screw (marked ‘S’ on the plastic case). Purple = two extra small screws only found on models with a memory card reader.
Eagle eyed viewers will notice a bit of tape on the left. If you have a memory card equipped PS3 there’s an annoying loose bit of metal here that loves to get lost when you flip the console upside-down. A bit of tape here will save your sanity.
Step 4: Now remove the top casing. At the right-rear side of the PS3 is a small ‘hook’ – push it in gently and lift the back of the casing. Tilt forward and then remove top casing.
At this point, the directions vary according to PS3 model revisions
Choose the correct section to continue with.
Recent models, CECHG01 – Q01 (quick and easy installation)
Part Two - Installing the PS3 ezChill
Step 1: You can now access the 3 wire PS3 fan connector. Note: Depending on the PS3 model, this fan connector may be located in a different area than pictured. Usually it is at the front or towards the rear of the system (as shown).
Step 2: The fan wires are colored grey, black and brown. Unplug the fan from the motherboard by pulling the 3 wire connector straight out of the socket.
Step 3: Connect the PS3 ezChill by first plugging it into the motherboard socket, and then plug the fan connector into the PS3 ezChill. Easy Plug and Play design!
Step 4: Now find an area to mount the PS3 ezChill. (Be sure the lid will still close!) Remove the double sided tape protective backing and mount the PS3 ezChill in place. Tuck excess wire out of the way. (Don’t block screw holes.)
Step 5: Mount the Speed Control Module – The control module can be mounted perfectly inside the front vent holes of the PS3. Insert the two screws into the vent holes as shown – second row from the front of the system.
Step 6: Slide the Speed Control Module down onto the screws and secure using the nuts. Hand tighten until snug. Tuck excess wire between the Blue Ray Drive and Power Supply.
Step 7: That’s it! Reassemble PS3, making sure not to pinch any wires. Use a small Phillips screwdriver to adjust the Speed Control Module thru the vent holes without having to reopen the PS3. We recommend a ~40-60% speed setting for optimum cooling. Enjoy the PS3 ezChill – the Ultimate in PS3 Cooling Technology!
CECHA01/B01/C01/E01 – 60GB, 80GB, 20GB (longer procedure)
Part “One and a Half”… Further Disassembly
Step 1: Here is the connector that holds the memory card flat cable. Take note of the small brown ‘flap’ on the right side. In this picture it is in the ‘locked’ position.
Step 2: Using a small blunt object (or your fingernail if you can fit) – carefully lift the brown ‘flap’ up to unlock the connector. Now gently pull the flat cable straight out. (Take note of how deep the cable seats before removing it – this will help during reassembly to make sure you have inserted it completely). You may have to wiggle it side to side a little.
Step 3: Now pull this 4 wire cable straight up to disconnect. (This is for the Blue Ray Drive.) Again you may have to wiggle it slightly to remove. There is no locking mechanism on this connector.
Step 4: Now you can gently flip the Blu-ray drive up on it’s side in order to disconnect it’s wide flat data cable underneath. This cable is not very long – take care not to pull the drive to far away before disconnecting.
The cable is shown circled in purple and the connector in blue. This wide flat cable connector has a locking mechanism also. Use your first and middle fingernail to gently and evenly pry the hinge up to unlock the connector – then just slide the cable out.
Step 5: The picture shows the unlocked position of the flat cable connector and the cable removed. Now you can take away the Blu-ray drive. Again take note of this connector before removal – as it will help during reassembly.
Step 6: Now with the Blu-ray drive removed, this is what your PS3 should look like. This is the metal shield that contains the mainboard – we need to get to the bottom side of this shield.
Take a breath, make sure you’ve not knocked any screws onto the carpet, and get ready for the last part. We’re on the home straight now!
Step 7a: Now remove the final 10 screws to remove the bottom casing half.
Purple: This is 1 short screw, like the one in the top casing (Part 1, Step 3). It is located underneath the black and white wires pictured.
Blue: These 7 screws are all small plastic jobbies (coarse threads). The four in the front right side hold the power/eject board and bracket in place.
Purple dashes: These are two screws that attach (or, in our case, remove) the small PCB from its bracket.
Step 7b: Take note of how the board and bracket are seated before removing them. Then simply pull the small flat cable (this is for power/eject) straight out of the mainboard. There is no locking mechanism. During reassembly, hold cable firmly between thumb and finger and slide straight down into connector (again you can wiggle side to side slightly to seat completely).
Step 8: Now you can gently remove the whole mainboard unit from the bottom half casing to access the fan connector underneath. It can be a little tricky to lift – lift each corner in numbered order and wiggle until it separates.
BE CAREFUL not to damage the wireless board at the front of the unit – see the next step.
Step 9: See that highlighted area? That’s the wireless board mentioned in the previous step. DO NOT lift by this board or it could be damaged.
Part Two - Installing the PS3 ezChill
Step 1: Here we are at the fan connector (finally!). Simply pull the 3 wire fan connector (brown-black-grey) straight up to unplug it from the mainboard. There is no locking mechanism.
On most PS3 models beside CECHA01/B01/C01/E01 this connector is on top of the mainboard, thus eliminating most of these disassembly steps.
Step 2: Now plug the fan wire (blue) into the PS3 E-Z Chill device, and then plug the PS3 E-Z Chill wire (purple) into the PS3 mainboard. Peel the protective film off the foam tape to mount the PS3 E-Z Chill in place. Reassemble your PS3 in the opposite order and you are ready to enjoy long-lasting, worry-free PS3 gaming! The PS3 E-Z Chill comes preset at about 50% speed rating (recommended) but if you want to fine tune you can disassemble to adjust the small blue trimmer on the PS3 E-Z Chill to your liking.
Now run through the disassembly steps backwards to get your PS3 back in one piece.
If you need any more help you can get in touch. If you would prefer having a professional perform the installation for you, click here.