We know the MK980 runs extremely hot. Can anyone tell me why?

[Mr Dasher]

Ok, we all know that the MK908 runs extremely hot. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Here's a few questions.

1) Is this how hot 3188 SOC's run? I doubt this because all the 3188 tablets would require fans or large heat sinks.

2) Since there seems to be some people who experience the heat and other who don't does that mean that my MK908 is defective?

3) Is there a software solution. Maybe tweak the kernels to run the CPU's on less voltage?

4) Since for me the burn out happens when I watch videos could the GPU be clocked too high? Can we under clock the GPU?

5) Since these sticks are small and inexpensive, maybe there is an issue with the voltage regular ... is there a voltage regulator?

I do like the stick when it works. The problem is that I can only watch about 20min of Netflix. I don't want to / don't think I should have to add heat sinks or any type of fan. It defeats the purpose of having a small stick. I never had these heat issues with my old RK3066.

If I can't get this fix then I have a Ouya waiting in the wings.

Thanks for the input.

Mr. D

[thesawolf]

Ok, we all know that the MK908 runs extremely hot. Does anyone know the reason for this?

Here's a few questions.

1) Is this how hot 3188 SOC's run? I doubt this because all the 3188 tablets would require fans or large heat sinks.

2) Since there seems to be some people who experience the heat and other who don't does that mean that my MK908 is defective?

3) Is there a software solution. Maybe tweak the kernels to run the CPU's on less voltage?

4) Since for me the burn out happens when I watch videos could the GPU be clocked too high? Can we under clock the GPU?

5) Since these sticks are small and inexpensive, maybe there is an issue with the voltage regular ... is there a voltage regulator?

I do like the stick when it works. The problem is that I can only watch about 20min of Netflix. I don't want to / don't think I should have to add heat sinks or any type of fan. It defeats the purpose of having a small stick. I never had these heat issues with my old RK3066.

If I can't get this fix then I have a Ouya waiting in the wings.

Thanks for the input.

Mr. D

Stock-wise, these are clocked and volted rather conservatively (in fact, DDR is clock at half it's capability, CPU is underclocked a bit from its capability and I believe the GPU side of the SoC is clocked right at default). Undervolting could definitely aid in some overheating issues for some folks. But ultimately it comes down to what you are running.. watching 720p or 1080p quality videos? Playing games? Your AMP WILL get hot after awhile. These AMPs are passively cooled (some better or worse than others). Integrated and miiniature components such as these are going to create heat.. no matter what. Too much heat and people get units that reset themselves to save themselves from burning out. There may be manufacturing issues with some of these. I don't know. my MK908 heated up pretty bad while I put it through the ringer with 720p/1080p videos and benchmarks. But general usage didn't cause much heat that I had to worry about. (these units can tolerate heat well over 100F before they shut down.. not that they SHOULD get that hot, mind you.) Alot of the voltage stuff can be adjusted via kernel source and built into a custom kernel. (maybe I should add an undervolting option to my own kernel sources... hmm).

Comparing RK3188 to an RK3066 is like comparing a regular pumpkin from the store to one of those giant pumpkins at a county fair. RK3188 has "pretty much" twice the capabilities as its predecessor (quad core vs dual, 2gb ram vs 1, etc.). Plus RK3066 has had time to mature and get some development love. RK3188 is still relatively new and in need of development loving (and frigging OFFICIAL source from rockchip.. you heard me Rockchip!). As it stands now.. most of us are working from leaked sources and plus there's still SDK2.0 updates coming at some point that "should" help with various performance issues. I'm not completely defending the RK3188 or MK908, it has its issues.. but I tinker and don't have nearly the same problems as others do. I consider myself lucky that my first AMP experience has been a decent one. YMMV.

As for the Ouya. I have one. It had overheating issues too til some patches came out. There are things both software-wise and hardware-wise that can help RK3188 reach it's potential. The software part will come with time as people come up with fixes or Rockchip releases some sources to make it easier for us. On the hardware side, you could mod it if you can/want or you can easily stick a fan just pointing at the top vent port (on MK908's at least.. others aren't so lucky).

My RK3188 is above par of my old Acer dual-core laptop I use for work and development and my Acer Iconia a500 tablet and it shows when I stream 720/1080p movies with MX player over WLAN. Slap linux on one of these and some peripherals and I could easily replace my laptop. Mind you.. my dual core laptop has two cooling fans. Most computers do. Every smartphone I've ever had heated up pretty nicely while watching videos or playing games or even using it as a phone. These AMPs even with their diminutive size are realistically no exception to the rule. Software tweaks wouldn't hurt tho to curb some of the heat. If you can't stand the heat.. get out of the... err.. return it to seller or wait and see if RK3188 can rise to its potential like it's predecessors did.

I wish you luck regardless and enjoy your Ouya too

[Mr Dasher]

Hey thesawolf,

Thanks for detailed reply.

At this point I guess I'm wondering if there is software solution or do I bite the bullet and open the case and increase the size of the heat sink and maybe a fan.

I think I may wait until SDK 2.0 is released.

Later,

Mr D.

[Legitsu]

they rated for a Normal-Operating Temp of 85C(185 degrees Fahrenheit)

if you are getting crashes or other problems
CHANGE THE POWER SUPPLY
power it off a old computer psu or a decent 5.0-5.1V Source Minium of 3Amp

[Mr Dasher]

they rated for a Normal-Operating Temp of 85C(185 degrees Fahrenheit)

if you are getting crashes or other problems
CHANGE THE POWER SUPPLY
power it off a old computer psu or a decent 5.0-5.1V Source Minium of 3Amp

I have used a number of different power supplies. I was using a 5v 3a power supply but the case melted. I am currently using a Ipad power supply which I think is 5v 2.1a so I should be ok.

[Legitsu]

I have used a number of different power supplies. I was using a 5v 3a power supply but the case melted. I am currently using a Ipad power supply which I think is 5v 2.1a so I should be ok.

these things will consume ~15Watts at full load 5V@3Amps is 15Watts and since AC>DC conversion always results in inefficiency a 3Amp supply would be Knife-close to just barely cutting it

[hoabycsr]

these things will consume ~15Watts at full load 5V@3Amps is 15Watts and since AC>DC conversion always results in inefficiency a 3Amp supply would be Knife-close to just barely cutting it

I believe this is the case with AC to DC power adapters. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If you have an adapter that claims to be 5v 2amps what that really means is that at a 2amp draw, the adapter will ideally be putting out 5v if it's made decently. So then there's this: Assuming you're only using 1.5 amps of electricity, the voltage output will go up a bit. Maybe to say 5.4v or some small change like that.. But these devices are running off such small amounts of power that .4v might make a big difference. The 5.4v I've completely pulled out of my ass but there's always a bit of tradeoff here. So if you run a stick that needs 3amps from a 5amp power supply you will most definately be overvoltaging the stick to some extent. It is wise to go a bit above spec with a power adapter, but don't go too high or you'll have other issues. I am able to run this stick from my pc's front usb port for quite awhile before I have any issues, if any at all. Ideally I use a 2.4amp adapter when not usb debugging or flashing it and it's rock solid.

[Legitsu]

I believe this is the case with AC to DC power adapters. Please correct me if I'm wrong. If you have an adapter that claims to be 5v 2amps what that really means is that at a 2amp draw, the adapter will ideally be putting out 5v if it's made decently. So then there's this: Assuming you're only using 1.5 amps of electricity, the voltage output will go up a bit. Maybe to say 5.4v or some small change like that.. But these devices are running off such small amounts of power that .4v might make a big difference. The 5.4v I've completely pulled out of my ass but there's always a bit of tradeoff here. So if you run a stick that needs 3amps from a 5amp power supply you will most definately be overvoltaging the stick to some extent. It is wise to go a bit above spec with a power adapter, but don't go too high or you'll have other issues. I am able to run this stick from my pc's front usb port for quite awhile before I have any issues, if any at all. Ideally I use a 2.4amp adapter when not usb debugging or flashing it and it's rock solid.

Dc output is regulated you should neverrrr get more voltage under less load if you are something is defective with the power supply 5.1 is fine 5.4 is pushing your luck
the only case where you need to watch how much amperage you supply is that if your device doesn't have any regulators or resisters
case 1: 5V 2Amp adapter
your device is drawing 5.0V @ 2.2Amps as you exceed the rated output of a adapter the voltage will start to fall off (THIS IS ESPECIALLY TRUE OF THE CHEAP USB WALLWARTS as they are intended to charge a battery at a realatively low current rate for Short Periods of time they are not made to withstand contiunues output @ near rated Amprage I don't care what they say they are rated for many of them simply wont deliver sustained stable power)

Case 2: 5V 5Amp Adapter
your device is drawing 5.0V @ 3.5Amps now since these devices have MOFSETS and Buck-resistors this prevents the full 5Amps from rushing into the circuit and frying it