{"id":1733,"date":"2022-02-07T05:09:19","date_gmt":"2022-02-07T05:09:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/picockpit.com\/raspberry-pi\/?p=1733"},"modified":"2023-08-29T12:09:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-29T12:09:11","slug":"does-the-raspberry-pi-zero-2-require-a-heatsink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/picockpit.com\/raspberry-pi\/does-the-raspberry-pi-zero-2-require-a-heatsink\/","title":{"rendered":"Does the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 require a heatsink?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Raspberry Pi Zero 2’s idle and 100% CPU load temperatures.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

On the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W, throttling kicks in at 80\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That means that the Raspberry Pi will slow down your computer in order to keep temperatures below 80\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question is whether you need a heatsink for the Raspberry Pi Zero 2. In most cases, you won’t need one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are a few situations in which you will need a heat sink. My conclusion is that you will only need one if you are using the Raspberry Pi Zero case and running the Pi Zero 2 at 100% for a continuous amount of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Test methodology<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

My testing methodology tried to find out whether or not a bare (i.e. no heatsink) Pi Zero 2 W will run at 100% continuously. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used PiCockpit’s PiStats to track temperature data and PiDoctor to tell me if I have been throttled. If your Pi is throttled, you will also see a thermometer icon on your display.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, I would use the official Raspberry Pi Zero case<\/a>, a plastic enclosure, and the FLIRC Zero case<\/a>, which has a metal body for efficient heat dissipation.<\/p>\n\n\n

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From left: Pi Zero 2, Pi Zero official case, FLIRC Zero case<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

There are three sections to this test. The first is completely idle (1% CPU load) which should show you what the baseline temperature is when you are doing nothing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, there’s the 35% CPU load test, which was done by running a Python script in the background.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, I ran stress-ng \u2013cpu 4 \u2013cpu-method fft<\/strong> to get CPU load to 100%. This command is one of the most power-hungry methods out there.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Pi Zero 2 without a case at 35% load and 100% load<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The room temperature was about 22\u00b0C.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All tests were done with the Pi Zero 2 connected to a display via HDMI, a mouse and a keyboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are the results:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Setup<\/strong><\/td>CPU load=~1%<\/strong><\/td>CPU load=~35%<\/strong><\/td>CPU load= ~100%<\/strong><\/td>Throttling?<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
Board only<\/td>42\u00b0C<\/td>57\u00b0C<\/td>74\u00b0C<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr>
Official case<\/td>46\u00b0C<\/td>61\u00b0C<\/td>81\u00b0C<\/td>Yes<\/td><\/tr>
FLIRC Zero case<\/td>37\u00b0C<\/td>51\u00b0C<\/td>62\u00b0C<\/td>No<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FLIRC Zero case thermal pad<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Applying the blue thermal pad properly can greatly improve heat dissipation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Evidently, using the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with the FLIRC Zero case produces the best results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

After all, it’s a case with a built-in heatsink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When I received it, it came with a blue square. Searching online, I realized that some owners did not know what it was for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The blue square is actually a thermal pad and both sides have plastic films. Peel the plastic film to expose a sticky area. Stick the thermal pad onto your board (or the case), place your Raspberry Pi into the case and then tighten the backing plate securely. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s important to keep the backing plate tight so that you can press the Raspberry Pi’s SoC onto the thermal pad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Can you use a fan with the Raspberry Pi Zero 2<\/h2>\n\n\n
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Raspberry Pi Zero 2 with cooling fan<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Yes, the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 is capable of running a fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I used a 5V 0.12A fan and powered it directly off the headers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to do this, you need a Pi Zero 2 W with headers soldered on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then, you need to connect the fan’s positive lead to PIN 2, and the negative to PIN 6, as per the image below. Use the SD card slot as a reference.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The FLIRC Zero case has the best thermal performance. Definitely logical since it encases the Pi Zero 2 in metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the official case has the worst thermal performance, with throttling detected by PiCockpit’s PiDoctor module. Quite logical again, since plastic is a poor conductor of heat and the official case encloses the Pi Zero 2 in plastic.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Throttling detected when the Raspberry Pi Zero 2 was placed in the official case.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In most cases, you aren’t likely to need a heatsink for the Pi Zero 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The only time where you might need a case is when you are pushing the chip to 100% for prolonged period of times and your environment is very hot. Take note that I tested this in a cool 22\u00b0C environment. If you start from a higher temperature, then you’ll need something to mitigate the difference in ambient temperature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Recommended parts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Official Pi Zero case<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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FLIRC Zero case<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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PiCockpit diagnostic tools<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n