R6250 Face plate affects cpu temperature

[junyan2000]

Today I took off the cover (face plate) of my Netgear R6250, and the cpu temperature dropped 8 degrees, from 79C to 71C. What can be the explanation?

The router is already full of holes on the back, where the heat sinks are, air flow can hardly be the problem.

If I drill some holes on the cover, and put it back on, will there still be the same temperature reduction? I am not doing any active cooling, e.g.,  add a usb fan.

[plemans · Accepted solution]

Seems a bit hot. From my recall (and the devices I currently have on) I sit around 50-60C.

that device might be on its way out as temperature is the death of electronics 

[plemans]

face place as in the while front of it ?
that exposes a lot more airflow over the unit. Of course it'll be cooler. 

[junyan2000]

Thanks for the explanation.

Today the R6250 is running at 85C with cover on. Is this normal temperature, or is this cause for concern?

The increase is probably due to warmer room temperature. So in summer the router may get even hotter, perhaps reaching 90C.

[plemans · Accepted solution]

Seems a bit hot. From my recall (and the devices I currently have on) I sit around 50-60C.

that device might be on its way out as temperature is the death of electronics 

[junyan2000]

Thanks, plemans.

I don't think 50-60C is realistic for router CPUs. Nowadays a desktop CPU or a hard drive runs at that temperature.

I will let the R6250 run at 80C idle and see how long it lasts. This is a $13 eBay purchase and I was expecting an item in a lot better condition.

[FURRYe38]

One can install a USB laptop fan cooler under a router for additional forced are cooling. I've done this for years on my routers I use. Help keep them cooler and HW lasts longer.