A Kickstarter campaign is gaining a lot of attention with its new cooling unit for the PlayStation 5, claiming to fix overheating issues and even preventing the rear I/O from melting. At the time of writing, they’ve already pulled in $89,000 and are aiming for a stretch goal of $125,000. You can grab one of these cooling units starting at $39.
They’ve named this add-on the Arctic PS5 cooler, and they’re marketing it as the first ever AI-powered PS5 cooler. This clip-on device attaches to the rear exhaust of Sony’s PS5, using either four or six fans to effectively manage heat. It’s powered via a single USB port, conveniently including a pass-through USB, so you don’t lose out on using any other console ports.
The creators behind this Kickstarter venture, SCRY, have designed three distinct models tailored for the different PS5 versions: the original which they call the “fat” model, the PS5 slim, and the newly introduced PS5 Pro. The slim and Pro versions are quite similar, featuring four fans positioned strategically, three on top and one at the bottom. Meanwhile, the “fat” version is equipped with six fans in total.
What really stands out—at least according to their Kickstarter page—is the “smart thermal AI” in these cooling add-ons. This tech supposedly tweaks fan speed based on the console’s internal temperature. How this contrasts with how PC fan speeds have been regulated for ages remains a bit of a mystery. The fans reportedly kick into high gear at 50°C to keep things as chill as possible.
SCRY is touting a 30% drop in temperature with their cooler compared to the PS5’s stock cooling. This means going from a max of 64°C down to 55°C. The thermal images they showcase suggest a 9-degree reduction at the PS5’s hottest spot—the ethernet port.
The aim here is clear: to circumvent any overheating hiccups that Sony’s latest console might encounter. Just last year, the gaming community was abuzz with reports of PS5 overheating issues, particularly in demanding games like Final Fantasy XVI. On rare occasions, this even led to some of the rear connectors melting due to excessive heat.
Beyond just the coolers, SCRY is also featuring a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with a heatsink as part of their Kickstarter offerings.
They’re set on hitting their $125,000 stretch goal. If reached, supporters will receive a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. Meanwhile, stretch goals at $75,000 and $100,000 are lined up too but will be disclosed once they’re unlocked.
