Key Takeaways
1. The Ayaneo Pocket Ace features sound modifications that reduced button noise by 24%, from 44 dB to 39-40 dB, using custom TPU rings and electrical tape.
2. Thermal modifications, including new thermal paste and pads, did not improve performance, resulting in a lower 3DMark score of 3,600 compared to 3,700 with stock settings.
3. Previous thermal modifications on the Pocket Evo were successful, achieving a steady score of 4,500, highlighting limitations of the Pocket Ace’s smaller cooling system.
4. Undervolting improved performance significantly, allowing the Pocket Ace to reach around 4,500 points in 3DMark with 90% stability after customization.
5. While noise-dampening and undervolting are recommended upgrades, thermal modifications may not be effective, and the repair process is moderately challenging due to complex design.
Tech YouTuber What Obie Plays recently took a closer look at the Ayaneo Pocket Ace, highlighting both sound and heat performance modifications for the handheld powered by the Snapdragon G3X Gen 2. For those who don’t know, the Pocket Ace is a handheld Android gaming device that features a 3:2 display ratio. The modifications included custom TPU rings and electrical tape adjustments that reduced ABXY and shoulder button noise from about 44 dB to 39-40 dB, marking a 24% drop in perceived noise levels.
Thermal Performance Issues
Despite the success in sound modifications, Daniel’s efforts to enhance thermal stability by swapping out the stock thermal paste and pads didn’t meet expectations. Even though he applied XPC thermal pads along with Thermal Grizzly Cryonaut Extreme thermal paste, the device achieved a lower average score of 3,600 points in 3DMark Wildlife Extreme, in contrast to the 3,700 score it had with stock settings. This suggests that the device actually lost some performance due to the thermal modifications.
Comparison with Pocket Evo
This result is quite different from the YouTuber’s previous modifications on the Pocket Evo, where similar thermal changes led to a steady 4,500 score with over 99% stability. Daniel noted that the smaller cooling fan and heatsink size of the Pocket Ace might be limiting factors in this situation.
Undervolting, however, showed much better results. After rooting the device and utilizing KonaBess to set a customized voltage profile, the Ayaneo Pocket Ace managed to reach around 4,500 points in 3DMark with about 90% stability. This was a significant improvement over the stock performance, although it still didn’t quite reach the thermal consistency of the Pocket Evo, which has a larger fan and heatsink.
Final Thoughts on Modifications
In conclusion, Daniel mentions that while thermal modifications might not be very effective, undervolting and noise-dampening upgrades are beneficial for any Pocket Ace owner willing to open up the device. He describes the overall repair process as moderately challenging, primarily because the battery has to be removed to access the left controls, which he considers an unnecessarily complex design choice.
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