Kickstarter Campaign Promises $39 AI-Enhanced PlayStation 5 Add-On Lowers Exhaust Temperatures by 9°C

A new initiative on Kickstarter is showcasing an innovative cooling unit designed for the PlayStation 5, which aims to tackle overheating problems and prevent the potential melting of the rear I/O. When we checked in, the campaign had already garnered $89,000 of its $125,000 stretch goal. The starting price for this cooling accessory begins at $39.

Introducing the Arctic PS5 cooler, which is claimed to be the world’s first AI-powered cooler for Sony’s console. This nifty device affixes to the back of the PS5, where the heat tends to build up. It boasts either four or six fans to actively vent heat away from the system. You only need one USB port to power it, plus it includes a pass-through USB port, so you won’t sacrifice one of your console’s ports.

The creators, SCRY, have rolled out three distinct models tailored to each version of the PS5: the original (which they refer to as the “fat” model), the PS5 Slim, and the newly launched PS5 Pro. Both the Slim and Pro models sport four fans—three on top and one below—while the “fat” version steps it up with six fans in total.

A prominent feature of these cooling solutions is the “smart thermal AI” technology that dynamically adjusts fan speeds based on the console’s temperature. This kind of system has been common in PC setups for ages, so it remains to be seen what sets this PS5 version apart. When the temperature hits 50°C, the fans are programmed to kick into high gear to ensure your console stays as cool as possible.

According to SCRY, their cooling accessory can reduce the internal temperature by up to 30% compared to the standard operation, with the maximum temperature dropping from 64°C to 55°C. Their thermal imaging data even shows a 9°C drop at the hottest spot on the console, the Ethernet port at the back.

The main objective of these PS5 coolers is to guard against overheating issues, something Sony’s newest consoles have been struggling with, particularly in titles like Final Fantasy XVI. In extreme situations, the PS5 has reportedly overheated to such a degree that some of its rear connectors ended up melting.

Apart from the cooling units, SCRY is also promoting a Gen 4 M.2 SSD complete with a heatsink through its Kickstarter campaign.

They’ve set a stretch goal tier at $125,000, where backers will receive a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. There are also tiers at $75,000 and $100,000, with the specifics of these bonuses yet to be revealed—those are expected to be announced once the milestones are unlocked.