A Kickstarter initiative is making waves with its new cooling solution for the PlayStation 5, designed to tackle overheating issues and prevent instances where the console’s rear ports might melt. At the time of writing, the campaign had already amassed $89,000, with aspirations of reaching $125,000. The cooling device is priced starting at $39.
This new accessory, called the Arctic PS5 cooler, is being promoted as the first-ever AI-powered cooler for the PS5. It’s essentially a clip-on vent that attaches seamlessly to the back exhaust of Sony’s console, equipped with either four or six fans to efficiently dissipate heat. Powering the unit requires just one USB port, and it offers a pass-through USB access, ensuring you don’t lose any connectivity options on your console.
SCRY, the brains behind this Kickstarter, is offering three distinct versions of the cooler to accommodate each PS5 model: the original PS5 (which SCRY amusingly refers to as the “fat” model), the PS5 slim, and the newer PS5 Pro. The Pro and Slim models feature four fans—three positioned at the top and one at the bottom—while the “fat” version boasts six fans.
The Kickstarter page frequently mentions the “smart thermal AI” technology driving these coolers. It claims to adjust fan speeds based on the PS5’s internal temperature, although there are no specific details on how this differs from traditional PC fan controls. When the temperature hits 50°C, the fans are said to kick into high gear, aiming to keep things as icy as possible.
According to SCRY, their cooler can achieve a 30% reduction in temperature compared to the PS5’s standard operating conditions, bringing the maximum temperature down from 64°C to 55°C. Thermal imaging on the campaign page shows a noticeable 9-degree Celsius drop at the console’s hottest spot, near the ethernet port at the rear.
The primary aim of these PS5 coolers is to stave off any overheating problems with Sony’s latest console. Last year, there were numerous reports of overheating issues in games like Final Fantasy XVI, and in some cases, it was severe enough to melt some of the rear connectors.
Apart from the coolers, SCRY is also touting a Gen 4 M.2 SSD equipped with a heatsink as part of their Kickstarter offerings.
The campaign’s stretch goal is set at $125,000, promising a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand upon reaching this target. There are additional stretch goals at $75,000 and $100,000, which are to be unveiled once achieved.
