PS5 Revision Has Smaller Heatsink and Fan, Possibly Higher Temps

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Sony cuts on cooling

A playStation 5 console and controller
(Image credit: Sony)

Sony's PlayStation 5 (PS5) console has been one the company's best-selling console models ever, with unit shipments reaching over 10 million in the last month. However, the models you get today may have slightly different components than the one which launched last year. Apparently, the company has quietly updated the PS5 hardware to feature a smaller heat dissipation system.

YouTuber Austin Evans  ordered the newest PS5 revision and compared it to the release model, noting that the heatsink and fan setup are a tad smaller. As you can see in the images below, the heatsink of the original PS5 features much more fins compared to the updated model. 

In addition to a lower number of fins, the new model lacks the copper cold plate that the release SKU features. To complement the smaller heatsink, there is also a smaller fan to push the air throughout the console.

Sony's PlayStation 5 console has been selling at loss for quite some time since its release. However, on August 4th, the company announced that it is selling the new console with profit. And it seems that to maximize those profits, Sony has decided to cut some corners on the console design.

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PlayStation 5 New Revision Heatsink
(Image credit: Austin Evans)

Old (Left) VS New (Right) PS5 Heatsink Design

Evans has not conducted any in-depth testing of temperature differences between the old and the new PS5 revisions, but he did measure the fan exhaust temperatures and found out that the new revision is outputting as anywhere from 3 to 5 degrees Celsius higher temperatures. This could translate into some higher SoC temperatures when compared directly between the two SoCs, but we have to wait for some further testing of the newer models to make any major conclusions.

Aleksandar Kostovic
14 Comments Comment from the forums
  • venser
    They cut on the very thing that desperately needed to be improved. Genius.
    Reply
  • gg83
    venser said:
    They cut on the very thing that desperately needed to be improved. Genius.
    The ps3 had problems with cooling too. The thermal paste was junk or something like that. I wonder if Sony is getting higher "bined" chips with better thermal performance?
    Reply
  • Its not a big deal if the temp increase isnt going to have issues on performance and longevity. Im sure the designers know what there doing at this stage and we have no idea . The thing has liquid metal so temps should be good off the jump
    Reply
  • Anth
    In essence, if you want a PS5, you need to buy an extended warranty with it or risk an expensive paperweight in 3 years time.
    Reply
  • artk2219
    sydneyblue203 said:
    Its not a big deal if the temp increase isnt going to have issues on performance and longevity. Im sure the designers know what there doing at this stage and we have no idea . The thing has liquid metal so temps should be good off the jump
    The owners of many dead PS3's and RROD Xbox 360's may have a different opinion, it took more than one revision to get those sorted out. Many times engineering gives way to marketing, with unfortunate consequences for the consumer.
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89
    gg83 said:
    The ps3 had problems with cooling too. The thermal paste was junk or something like that. I wonder if Sony is getting higher "bined" chips with better thermal performance?
    What hurt the launch PS3 and I still have one that I haven't turned on since 2008 so NO clue if it still works is the YLOD problem (yellow light of death). That's where the original PS3 would not startup and flash a constant yellow light. Some of the early temporary fixes was to put smother it in a blanket while running to overheat the main board and it would work for awhile. The other fix was to re-ball the main system board. But in reading more about this problem it seems someone figured out what was the real cause of the problem. It turned out to be 4 NEC/TOKIN Capacitors that failed on the system board. He replaced the 4 capacitors and the PS3 worked. Subsequently he went on a mission to buy broken PS3's with the YLOD and each time he replaced the 4 capacitors, the system worked.

    I checked my PS5 box and it appears I have the launch PS5 CFI-1015A
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89 said:
    What hurt the launch PS3 and I still have one that I haven't turned on since 2008 so NO clue if it still works is the YLOD problem (yellow light of death). That's where the original PS3 would not startup and flash a constant yellow light. Some of the early temporary fixes was to put smother it in a blanket while running to overheat the main board and it would work for awhile. The other fix was to re-ball the main system board. But in reading more about this problem it seems someone figured out what was the real cause of the problem. It turned out to be 4 capacitors that failed on the system board. He replaced the 4 capacitors and the PS3 worked. Subsequently he went on a mission to buy broken PS3's with the YLOD and each time he replaced the 4 capacitors, the system worked.

    I checked my PS5 box and it appears I have the launch PS5 CFI-1015A
    This was because people have no clu how to care for thigns and put there console in places where no are can get too. Plus some countries never heard of air conditioning systems.
    Reply
  • thepersonwithaface45
    I mean I was waiting for a new version of a ps5 but seems I'll be waiting for a ps5 pro lol
    Actually, if that doesn't come out before elden ring, I won't need one since all I'd wanna play is demon's souls.
    Reply
  • vern72
    Sony hasn't turned a profit on PS5 until now? Really? Why on Earth would they cut the price so low on something that would sell like hotcakes?
    Reply
  • Kahless01
    venser said:
    They cut on the very thing that desperately needed to be improved. Genius.
    they didnt cut anything. austin evans is a moron who doesnt understand how heatsinks work and other morons are reposting his bs without looking into it themselves. wait until gamers nexus does real testing. he didnt even measure in the same spot both times in his video. theres a reason hes getting ripped apart in the comments and everywhere else its posted.
    Reply