This is my DIY cooling setup for a Raspberry Pi 4 running Recalbox: an ultra-cool retro gaming console that hits a max of 25°C under load (PS1 games)! Using two Be Quiet! 92 mm fans, a simple heatsink, and an open structure, this setup outperforms commercial cases (40-75°C) while staying quiet (20-25 dB) and affordable (~$15-30). Perfect for retro gaming enthusiasts looking to optimize their Pi!
- Raspberry Pi 4 (1 GB): Overclocked to 2 GHz.
- Fans: 1x Be Quiet! Pure wings II 92 mm (1900 RPM, 50-60 CFM, 20-25 dB), powered by an external 12 V transformer.
- Heatsink: Aluminum 40x40x10 mm, applied with MAX-6 thermal paste.
- Support: Plexiglass plate, fixed with M3 screws and spacers.
- 12-volt transformer: Allows you to power bequiet! without going through the Raspberry Pi
Screen-shot with PI 4 1Go from my home Dashboard
- Temperatures: 21-25°C max under light load (PS1 games on Recalbox), compared to 40-75°C for commercial cases.
- Noise: 20-25 dB, much quieter than standard case fans (30-40 dB).
- Cost: Around 15-30$ (depending on whether parts are salvaged).
Check out the raw data from my tests: historique_centralise.csv
This setup is simple, effective, and perfect for a quiet, cool Recalbox console. If you have questions or ideas to improve it, feel free to leave a comment or open an issue! 😊