A Kickstarter campaign has recently stirred interest with its new cooling unit designed for the PlayStation 5, promising to tackle overheating issues and prevent potential melting of the rear I/O ports. At the time of writing, the campaign had amassed an impressive $89,000, with hopes of reaching a stretch goal of $125,000. The cooling accessory is priced starting at $39.
This innovative gadget, known as the Arctic PS5 cooler, claims to be the first of its kind with AI technology. It’s essentially a clip-on fan system that attaches to the back vent of the PS5 console. Depending on the model, it comes with either four or six fans to help keep things cool. Thankfully, it’s powered through just one USB port and thoughtfully includes a pass-through port, so you don’t lose any connectivity options on the console itself.
An intriguing YouTube video questions if your PS5 is overheating, accompanying this campaign. You might want to check it out for some visual context on the matter.
The company behind this project, SCRY, is putting forward three different models to suit each version of the PS5 – the original version, endearingly referred to as the “fat” model, the PS5 Slim, and the newly launched PS5 Pro. The Pro and Slim boast four fans, with three situated at the top and one at the bottom, while the “fat” model steps it up with six fans total.
On their Kickstarter page, SCRY frequently highlights its use of “smart thermal AI,” which adjusts the fan speeds based on the console’s internal temperatures. While this might seem a little similar to how PC fans have been operating for decades, the system supposedly kicks into high gear when temperatures hit 50C, ensuring your PS5 stays as cool as possible.
According to SCRY, this cooler can cut the temperature by 30% compared to the PS5’s usual performance, slashing it from a high of 64C down to 55C. Their thermal imaging shows a noteworthy 9-degree drop in the hottest area, at the back near the ethernet port.
The main aim here is to put an end to any potential overheating issues plaguing Sony’s latest console. Just last year, there were whispers about overheating troubles cropping up in games like Final Fantasy XVI, and in rare cases, there were even reports of rear connectors melting from the excessive heat.
Besides their coolers, SCRY is also promoting a Gen 4 M.2 SSD equipped with a heatsink, offering more options through their Kickstarter initiative.
Interestingly, the campaign also mentions a stretch goal of $125,000, promising a free “vertikal” universal PS5 stand when achieved. Additional stretch goals are set at $75,000 and $100,000, with more details expected to “announce when unlocked.”
