There’s a buzz surrounding a Kickstarter campaign that introduces a PlayStation 5 cooling unit, which claims to tackle overheating issues and even prevent the rear I/O from melting. At the time of writing, the campaign had already amassed $89,000, with the aspirational aim set at $125,000. You can get this nifty cooling accessory starting at just $39.
Let me introduce you to the Arctic PS5 cooler, billed as the world’s first AI-driven cooler tailored for the PS5. This innovative add-on clips onto the back exhaust of Sony’s iconic console and is equipped with either four or six fans to combat excess heat. It requires only one USB port for power, cleverly including a USB pass-through port to ensure you don’t lose any connectivity options on the console.
For a closer look, you might want to check out a related YouTube video titled “Is Your PS5 OVERHEATING?”.
The masterminds behind this Kickstarter, SCRY, have rolled out three distinct models to cater to each PS5 version: the original (“fat” model), the Slim, and the latest PS5 Pro. The cooler designed for the Slim and Pro models incorporates four fans, arranged with three on top and one on the bottom, while the “fat” version opts for six fans.
The Kickstarter page repeatedly emphasizes the integration of “smart thermal AI,” designed to modulate fan speed in response to the PS5’s internal temperatures. Precisely what makes this system smarter than traditional PC fan controls isn’t entirely clear. The campaign states that when the temperature hits 50C, the fans kick into high gear to maximize cooling efficiency.
SCRY boasts that their cooling system slashes the console’s temperature by 30%, dropping from a peak of 64C to a more manageable 55C. Thermal imaging available online illustrates this achievement, showing a 9-degree Celsius reduction at the ethernet port, one of the PS5’s hottest spots.
These coolers aim to thwart potential overheating woes that gamers might face with Sony’s latest console. Last year, titles like Final Fantasy XVI reportedly contributed to overheating problems, with some extreme cases even causing connectors to melt.
Beyond the coolers, SCRY is also touting a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with an integrated heatsink, adding another layer to their Kickstarter offering.
Should the campaign hit its $125,000 stretch goal, backers can look forward to a free “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. There are also stretch goals set at $75,000 and $100,000, with promised announcements coming as these targets are reached.
