New PS5 Model Appears, Lighter but Hotter

Sony changed the heatsink that helps cool the PS5.

REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, TOKYO — The new PlayStation 5 (PS5) model appeared in Australia, Japan and parts of the United States (US) earlier this month. The new model features a new mount design and reduced weight. The mystery is solved thanks to the video teardown from YouTuber Austin Evans.

In the video, it appears that Sony has changed the heatsink that helps cool the PS5. Reported from The Verge, Monday (30/8), according to Evans, the new heatsink is significantly smaller than the original and makes an overall weight reduction of 300 grams.

It’s not clear why Sony had swapped out the heatsink so early in the PS5’s cycle, but Evans noted that the unit in particular got hotter—with the exhaust temperature being around three to five degrees higher. It could be due to manufacturing variants.

Sony uses this heatsink to cool PS5 and console. The heatsink, hard copper plate and aluminum dissipation fins all take up a lot of space inside the PS5 and make a big contribution to its overall size.

Evans concludes that the changes make the PS5 worse, due to the extra heat it generates.

“I don’t think there’s any argument that this is a worse console, at least for the thermals and for the cooling,” Evans said. “As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather launch the PS5,” he said.

This new model comes just as Sony revealed they are no longer selling the $499 version of the PS5 at a loss. Reports last year suggested Sony was struggling to keep the cost of the PS5 down in part thanks to its expensive cooling solutions.

Evans only unlocked the Digital Edition version of the PS5. So not sure if Sony has also changed the heat sink on models with disk drives.

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