Kickstarter Project Promises $39 AI-Enhanced PlayStation 5 Add-On that Lowers Exhaust Temperatures by Up to 9°C

A Kickstarter project is gathering attention with its innovative PlayStation 5 cooling unit that claims to put an end to overheating issues and potential melting of the rear I/O components. When we checked in, the campaign had already amassed $89,000, eyeing a stretch goal of $125,000. You can snag the cooling attachment starting at $39.

Called the Arctic PS5 cooler, this accessory is marketed as the first-ever AI-powered PS5 cooler. It’s a clip-on vent designed to latch onto the rear exhaust of Sony’s PS5 console. Boasting either four or six fans, it actively manages to whisk away heat. Conveniently, it plugs into a single USB port and offers a pass-through port, so you don’t have to sacrifice any connectivity options.

The creators, SCRY, offer three distinct models tailored to each PS5 version: the original PS5, humorously nicknamed the “fat” model, the sleek PS5 slim, and the freshly released PS5 Pro. The slim and Pro editions share a design with four fans in total, three on top and one below. Meanwhile, the “fat” model steps up its cooling game with six fans.

As emphasized repeatedly on the Kickstarter page, these cooling attachments are equipped with “smart thermal AI.” This technology optimizes fan speed according to the PS5’s internal temperature. While it’s not entirely clear how this compares to the traditional method of regulating PC fan speeds, there’s a claim: at 50°C, the fans kick into high gear to keep everything cool.

SCRY asserts that its cooling unit provides a significant temperature drop, about 30% cooler than the console’s stock performance. The maximum temperature reportedly falls from 64°C to 55°C. Thermal imaging available on their site illustrates a 9 degrees Celsius reduction at the hottest part of the PS5, right where the ethernet port sits.

The prime mission of these PS5 coolers is to thwart any potential overheating issues with Sony’s latest console. Some titles, notably Final Fantasy XVI, have sparked discussions about overheating. In extreme cases, overheating has led to melted rear connectors.

Beyond the PS5 cooling solutions, SCRY is also introducing a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with an integrated heatsink as part of their Kickstarter push.

The main campaign page features a stretch objective of $125,000. If achieved, they promise a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. There are also milestones at $75,000 and $100,000, with plans to unveil those rewards upon reaching them.