Sony’s latest addition to the gaming world, the PlayStation 5 Pro, has been making waves with an intriguing update to its heatsink design. The ever-curious folks from the popular console repair YouTube channel, TronicsFix, have uncovered a notable modification: the PS5 Pro’s heatsink now sports a rectangular spiral surface, rather than a smooth finish.
According to TronicsFix, this meticulously crafted pattern might be more than just a design choice. They suggest it’s intended to minimize the development of dry spots and oxidation on the surface that arise from the liquid metal thermal interface material (TIM) migrating across the heatsink. Moreover, it seems this pattern even has the added benefit of increasing the contact surface area slightly.
If you’ve dabbled with liquid metal yourself, you know it doesn’t spread as predictably as other pastes, preferring to pool unexpectedly. This can be problematic since liquid metal is known to overflow into places you definitely don’t want, potentially damaging other internal components. Systems equipped for liquid metal, therefore, often have seals or dams around the heatsink to prevent such mishaps.
TronicsFix also raised an interesting point that vertical usage of PlayStations might exacerbate the issue of liquid metal mobility over time. With their extensive experience repairing countless PS5s, their insights likely hold some weight.
Sony’s decision to incorporate these spiral ‘grooves’ on a surface designed to work with the AMD APU does stand out. It counters the familiar approach where extreme overclockers and enthusiasts would strive for a flatter, polished finish. However, the advent of liquid metal has evidently changed the game. One can assume Sony rigorously tested this heatsink design against a traditional mirror-smooth variant and found the benefits substantial enough to implement it for better thermal efficiency.
Thanks to the PS5 Pro’s enhanced processing capabilities, notably its more robust GPU, these distinctive heatsink grooves seem crucial in mitigating potential thermal throttling issues.
The PS5 Pro hit the headlines when it was first revealed in early September, with units becoming available earlier this month. While enthusiasts continue to dissect and explore the intricacies of its design, a lot was initially unveiled by lead architect Mark Cerny during a launch live stream, providing keen insights into what makes the PS5 Pro tick.
