Sony has subtly rolled out a fascinating change in the heatsink design of the PlayStation 5 Pro, grabbing the attention of the popular console repair channel, TronicsFix. Unlike the typical glossy-smooth finishes you might expect, the PS5 Pro’s heatsink showcases an intriguing rectangular spiral surface pattern.
According to a new video by TronicsFix, this deliberately crafted surface isn’t just for show. The design aims to combat dry spots and surface oxidation, issues that can occur when liquid metal thermal interface material spreads across the heatsink. By introducing these unique engravings, Sony hopes to slightly increase the contact surface area, too.
If you’ve worked with liquid metal before, you’ll know it’s notoriously tricky to control—it tends to pool and can wander into places you’d rather it didn’t, unlike traditional thermal pastes. To prevent this, systems incorporating liquid metal often include seals around the heatsink to contain the conductive liquid and avert any potential damage to other components.
TronicsFix also suggests that when PlayStation systems are used or stored vertically, the problem of liquid metal movement exacerbates over time. Considering TronicsFix’s extensive experience in repairing and fine-tuning numerous PS5s and other consoles, this insight seems quite credible.
The introduction of these spiral grooves, interfacing with the AMD APU, is rather intriguing because it strays from traditional cooling techniques. Usually, overclockers and tech enthusiasts put great effort into ensuring their processor and heatsink surfaces are impeccably polished. However, with liquid metal in play, Sony seems to be rewriting these norms. It’s likely they conducted thorough A/B testing between this new design and a conventional smooth one, determining the new design offered a valuable thermal advantage worth pursuing.
Given the PS5 Pro’s upgrade in processing capabilities, especially with its enhanced GPU, these heatsink grooves are probably a strategic move to prevent thermal throttling, ensuring optimal performance.
While the PS5 Pro was first introduced in September, it only recently became available to the public. Enthusiasts and experts are digging into its design to unearth every detail, but we’ve gained significant insights from lead architect Mark Cerny during a launch live stream. The journey to uncover all the secrets of this next-gen console is just beginning.
