Cooling the board components
The Zero W3 kits typically come with a high-quality active heatsink. It is very easy to install and is an essential accessory you should consider purchasing. The heatsink attaches to the board using four Phillips-type screws. The Orange Pi team also provides three thermal pads, but we recommend adding an additional fourth pad on top of the BT/WiFi chip.
A closer look at the active heatsink.
Installing the active heatsink
Initial impressions
The heatsink effectively cools the board. It operates very quietly and, as previously mentioned, is easy to install. It’s also important to note that this type of semi-cooler can be used in a closed case. Although the board shares almost the same form factor as the Raspberry Pi Zero W2, due to the different interfaces, you will likely need to design a customized case using 3D printing.
Temperatures
Based on our findings, the board operates at a temperature range of 47-55°C during idle or low-intensity mode. If enclosed, it is likely to heat up further. Overall, this temperature range is quite reasonable, and the board functions very well.
