exxos's Atari, Amiga & retro forum

alexh wrote: 10 Nov 2025 10:16 Here is a link to the latest version of the PiStorm WHDload Wrapper (taken from the PiStorm Discord WHDload wrapper sub-channel)

http://tinyurl.com/bdhuz3ts

Thanks again!!

OK, so I did a test add of one of the micro fans. I picked up the 5v from the PiStorm, there is a spot specifically marked 5v & GND so it seems ideal.


Fan noise is a bit loud sadly, especially since just running outside the PiStorm they are pretty quiet. However it has knocked off 20C of the Pi temp so the Pi 4 is running at the same temp as the Pi3 without a fan.

That's even after completing the 1st level of Zeewolf. Active cooling makes a big difference to the temps then. I could try adding more passive cooling or alternatively

Gives me a lot more RAM but I need to decide which way to go: Pi 4 with loads of RAM but a noisy fan or Pi 3 with no fan and less RAM.

It's been a long time since I had a Pi4b in my Pistorm32 Lite. I decided to get the CM4 adapter and I/O board (an extra £75 on top of the initial £67 for the pistorm32 Lite)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4376757744/

This lets you use the CM4 rather than the Pi4b and with the I/O board it fits really well into A1200 case.

alexh wrote: 10 Nov 2025 14:46 It's been a long time since I had a Pi4b in my Pistorm32 Lite. I decided to get the CM4 adapter and I/O board (an extra £75 on top of the initial £67 for the pistorm32 Lite)

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/4376757744/

This lets you use the CM4 rather than the Pi4b and with the I/O board it fits really well into A1200 case.

I thought about it briefly, but felt it was just more than I wanted to spend.

OK, so I've had the Pi 4B running in the background for some time with the fan installed and the noise is really too much, so I think I'll revert to the Pi 3B. I may adjust at a later date once I have things figured out.

Can you use a variable resistor to slow the RPM down? Some of these fans support software controllable speed via a 3rd pin? Alternatively maybe a 12v fan connected to 5v will rotate much slower?

rubber_jonnie wrote: 10 Nov 2025 14:52 OK, so I've had the Pi 4B running in the background for some time with the fan installed and the noise is really too much, so I think I'll revert to the Pi 3B. I may adjust at a later date once I have things figured out.

I think you'd get better mileage using the 4B but under-clocking / under-volting it. Clock-for-clock the 4B should be cooler?

[Edit: Hmmmm that doesn't seem to be practical, lots of people complaining that the controls just don't offer the power saving / cooling expected]

alexh wrote: 10 Nov 2025 15:04 Can you use a variable resistor to slow the RPM down? Some of these fans support software controllable speed via a 3rd pin? Alternatively maybe a 12v fan connected to 5v will rotate much slower?

I have considered this, yes. These are straight 5v fans so no speed control 3rd wire. Whilst I am playing around with it I will use the 3B+ for now.

alexh wrote: 10 Nov 2025 15:08

rubber_jonnie wrote: 10 Nov 2025 14:52 OK, so I've had the Pi 4B running in the background for some time with the fan installed and the noise is really too much, so I think I'll revert to the Pi 3B. I may adjust at a later date once I have things figured out.

I think you'd get better mileage using the 4B but under-clocking / under-volting it. Clock-for-clock the 4B should be cooler?

[Edit: Hmmmm that doesn't seem to be practical, lots of people complaining that the controls just don't offer the power saving / cooling expected]

I was looking into that and haven't come up with anything practical as yet.

alexh wrote: 10 Nov 2025 15:08

rubber_jonnie wrote: 10 Nov 2025 14:52 OK, so I've had the Pi 4B running in the background for some time with the fan installed and the noise is really too much, so I think I'll revert to the Pi 3B. I may adjust at a later date once I have things figured out.

I think you'd get better mileage using the 4B but under-clocking / under-volting it. Clock-for-clock the 4B should be cooler?

[Edit: Hmmmm that doesn't seem to be practical, lots of people complaining that the controls just don't offer the power saving / cooling expected]

OK, so I have been under clocking/volting the 4B and have come to the conclusion that it's a bit of a warm wee beastie!!!

I dropped the clock down to 1GHz and undervolted in the config.txt file and the new speed is reflected in the Emu 68 CPU monitor. Temperatures are a bit better, about 8-10C lower overall.

I think maybe the fan adjustable by potentiometer may still be necessary and possibly some small heat sinks to improve passive cooling. It did also occur to me it might be possible to put a thermal pad between the Pi and the metal keyboard base but need to look at that further.

I also need an SD card slot extender I think, so I don't have to keep pulling the PiStorm out whenever I want to change something.

I've also managed to hook up a 2nd display via the Pi HDMI connector. It's a bit temporary, but it works:


Got more work to do though, but slowly getting there.