A Failed Heatsink Caused Melting in Some PS5 Models.
Sony spent years defending the PlayStation 5 cooling system against rumours and speculation. The uproar returned each time a teardown video surfaced. Early units ran hot. Some units shut down mid-game. Repair experts flagged a strange culprit: liquid metal leakage from the cooling assembly.
The issue sat under the surface for a long time. Many owners never saw a problem. Others heard screaming fans. A smaller group reported overheating. The pattern pointed to one culprit. The liquid metal Sony used for heat transfer sometimes slipped out of position when consoles stood upright or moved during travel. Movement and position lowered the contact between the chip and the heatsink. That drop started a chain reaction: heat buildup, hardware stress, and eventual shutdown.
So, Sony took action with a hardware update that fixes the flaw and reshapes the cooling story. The fix is available for new production runs of the PS5 and PS5 Slim, as well as select updated models. Owners of older models see new repair options as well.
What’s Happening & Why This Matters
Sony Updates Cooling System Across New Models
The PS5 is entering its mid-generation arc. Sony needs stability for development and player confidence. Retailers want fewer returns. The update delivers on each point. Sony installed a redesigned cooling system across the CFI-2100, CFI-2200, and 2025 Slim CFI-2116 B01Y models. The redesign uses deeper structural ridges that lock the liquid metal in place. The system reportedly draws from the new PS5 Pro cooling layout. It improves stability during vertical storage. It adds stronger anchoring near the SoC. The redesign prevents the liquid metal from slipping out of alignment.
Online hardware analysts examined early units. One well-known modder claimed the new setup appears “100% free of liquid metal.” That conclusion likely misreads the design. Images show the same core cooling material. The difference lies in the viscosity and containment system. Sony probably refined the material composition, establishing a more stable layer under pressure and temperature spikes.
The point is clear. Sony takes the issue seriously. The new solution locks heat transfer in place. It stops the leak risk that earlier units faced.
Impact on Performance & Longevity
Liquid metal performs exceptionally well when it’s in the right place. It transfers heat quickly, reduces thermal resistance, and keeps fans quiet. But when displaced, performance drops fast. The redesign restores confidence in the PS5’s operating health. Fans stay quieter. Temperature load stays stable. Heavy games run at full performance longer.
Performance matters for players because games like Final Fantasy XVI, Helldivers 2, and Spider-Man 2 engage the GPU hard. Sustained temperatures is the difference between smooth performance and throttling. The updated cooling system supports that demand. Retailers see fewer returns. Repair shops report fewer thermal failures. The hardware matches the software ambition.
Convenience Upgrades for New Slim Buyers
Sony also streamlined setup for new PS5 Slim models. Earlier Slim units enforced an online disc-drive activation process. That process frustrated buyers without stable internet access. Sony removes that requirement. Drives now come pre-paired. New owners plug in, install updates, and start playing. No waiting or activation drama.
The change pairs well with the improved cooling system. Buyers now open the box and move straight into gameplay with less friction.
TF Summary: What’s Next
Sony is refining its gaming hardware as demands on its consoles mature. A new cooling system arrives at the right time. Players expect durability. Developers eck every bit out of the hardware. Sony answers both sides with physical engineering, not marketing spin. The redesigned PS5 models are stronger than the launch generation with far fewer thermal risks.
MY FORECAST: Sony begins an aggressive hardware phase next. The PS5 Pro starts to meet its promise as the flagship console. Cooling improvements scale to all models. Third-party teardown data validate Sony’s tighter tolerance standards. Repair programs pop up. Sony fixes arrive just in time for a massive holiday cycle.
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