So that's the perfect excuse to buy a 3D printer right there! Go for it! :)
I envy you, some of us really have to search for such an excuse!
As if they don’t already have a borderline hobby 🤣
It was engineered for passive cooling, even if just barely. I don't think you need something as elaborate as a case fan when the whole thing is perforated like that. A single USB fan blowing on the case from 6 inches away is sufficient to keep my formerly toasty modem barely warm to the touch.
They're also engineered with the assumption that there is nothing within a 6 in radius and it is kept in a 70F room. Those are assumptions that often aren't true and lead to them overheating all the dang time.
Do you need me to print you a solution?
Wait, really? Like 3d print something? I was actually toying with that idea but I haven't dipped my toes into 3d printing yet and don't have much time lately.
For sure! What part of the world are you in? I have that same unit, so maybe I could cobble something together, but I'm not having your same problem with it (yet?)...
Small adapter that clips into the premade holes and has screw attachments for the fan. Dont have the unit for design purposes but could print the part (mid europe)
I'm in Canada - I'd be more than happy to pay for shipping and supplies but if it's too much work or ends up being too pricey then don't worry about it. :)
No worries at all! Are you able to send detailed, clear pics of what you want and how it needs to fit? Feel free to DM me, I'm game to give this a try. (Also, PacNW)
Oh, and before I forget: are you able to remove the top of the unit to give small zip ties a try?
Hey! You have the same shitty AIO that Comcast sent me! It overheated and tries to melt itself down all the time. Luckily it gets so hot that the adhesive melted and the screws were easily visible. I just took the chassis off and it mostly doesn't overheat anymore.
Crazy, the thing is basically hollow and was right next to the window and would still overheat. The bottom doesn't allow for any air intake so it sufffocates. Also it's 80% plastic because they couldn't be assed to add aluminum heatsinks.
Oh my goodness, this is the first time I've seen the innards of that AIO (all in one?) on the internet. Thank you! Where were the screws located on it?
They are all on the bottom, the rubber feet/stripping on mine started coming off, found it by mistake. One has a sticker, but those don't really hold up to void warranties anyways. Plus, I'm just gonna super glue the rubber feet back on after, hahah. I just tucked the screws and the chassis in the back of a closet for now. No tabs or anything to break when uninstalling it, either!
Edit: yeah, all in one! Mine is one of those modem / wifi combos. I set it to bridge mode so I could use my own router, and the thing still overheated even though it was just acting as a modem, smh. Annoying how bad it is. Luckily, shucking it will clear up 9/10 problems. Put some tape over the LED if you sleep in the same room as it, it's very bright when exposed.
So I finally shucked mine and found a 40mm fan in the bottom that wasn't running. In fact, I don't think it ever has run since I never feel any air flow or hear anything. Did your XB8 have a fan?
In the Netherlands, the ability to swap in your own modem is safeguarded by law. I have luckily not had to deal with this.
That said, would look to see if you can remove the whole top, seems to me it would be clipped in. Then place a matching size fan, or just undersized and 3D print a rim.
Dare I ask what happens if the gateway doesn't have this auxiliary cooling? Does it drop packets? Something worse?
Gets really hot and speeds/stability decrease.
World devastation
To protect the world from devastation
To unite all peoples within our nation
It likes to drop me from the middle of games when my same unit overheats :)
Fuck Comcast and fuck the "Made with ❤️ in Philadelphia" team that designed this complete POS. It has a built in cooling fan (lmao) and still overheats! It's a mostly empty modem that is almost the size of a shoebox, lol. It gets so hot that the adhesive on the bottom starts coming off.
I usually do a very not ISP sanctioned modem swap/delete.
Depending on the type of modem, you may be able to simply replace it with something else and the ISP may not have any way to really differentiate between the modems.
Is this for cable, DSL, or fiber?
A model number can really clarify a lot.
How about setting it on top of a laptop cooling pad?
Fritz Box ftw
without damaging
Means not to open the closure?
I'm not seeing any exposed screws. I could try a plastic spudger but would like to avoid it. Even trying to open my ASUS router was a PITA as it was designed not to be opened.
Ok yes then its probably better to keep it that way.
Can you get zip-ties in those holes?
I may be able to get the smallest available zip ties in there. Maybe it's possible to bend a wire and hook it through one hole and up another.
Bend the end of a zip tie into a U shape roughly the size of hole spacing and try feed it in one hole and out another.
Do you have the option to bring your own equipment?
This is definitely the better solution if your ISP supports it. ISP provider gateways are always garbage the auxiliary cooling may help but it will always have issues
Internet Service Provider Provider
(i cant help myself)
To be fair depending on who we are talking about it's not inaccurate a lot of providers are just reselling someone else's service
I can’t disagree with that.
I wish!! Nearly no ISPs in my country allow you to bring your own modem, so I have this bridged to my own router/access point. And yet it still gets very hot to the touch which certainly throttles the CPU.
What is the make and model of the thing your stuck with?
That's weird that in bridge it gets that hot. Certainly not what is expect.
It’s a technicolor something.
It’s Comcast’s standard gateway now too
It's an XB8 which I've heard mixed reviews on. Haven't found any teardowns online so far though.
So, did some reading as I'm not familiar with what you have. You're supposed to be an internal fan... Guessing the one in yours is possibly broke.
Since it's the ISPs device, you could call and say you hear a loud annoying grinding sound like a fan dying (Even though it's probably already dead) and that you want to replacement unit. And then while you have him on the phone double check their current policy on bringing your own modem and ask for a manager to double check for you 'as you don't want this issue to keep happening'
Something like Sugru might work. It has a strong bond but can easy be peeled or sliced off later. Any lingering residue can be cleaned off fairly easily.
3D printer. Get one, find someone with one, library, etc.
I own so my ntd is running a 120mm fan in a custom secured chassis