‘Silent upgrade’ to the PS5 Slim delivers Pro console's groovy heatsink design to the cheaper models — improves thermals and reliability

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The PS5 Pro feature, which improves thermals and reliability, preventing dry spots, oxidation, and leaks, drips down to the mainstream.

PS5 slim CFI-2116 heatsink
(Image credit: Modyfikator89)

About this time last year, we reported on the new-improved grooved heatsink design that was discovered under the PlayStation 5 Pro’s cooling apparatus. Now these same improvements have reportedly dripped down to the mainstream. Specifically, the same style of heatsink has been spotted in the latest revision of the PS5 Slim.

Console modder and fixer Modyfikator89 on X appears to have been the first to spot this revision by Sony, sharing some images to verify his observations.

The console enthusiast reckons this “silent upgrade” from Sony is “the MOST important hardware update of the year.” Moreover, he goes on to remark that this is an early upgrade to the PS5 Slim cooling system, modeled on the Pro’s, and one which represents “a GIANT step for console longevity and stability.”

Benefits of the change for ‘standard’ PS5 buyers will be threefold, reckons the PS5 hardware expert. In addition to better thermals and thus system stability, the new consoles starting with model CFI-2116 should be “free from the metal leak issue that affected older PS5 FAT/ OG and Slim CFI2016 from 2023,” comments Modyfikator89.

In our earlier coverage of a very similar-looking heatsink design, which debuted last year, we noted that the machined grooves were expected to reduce the chance of heatsink dry spots and oxidation. That’s an occurrence which seemed all too familiar to expert repairers like TronicsFix. Indeed, it became part of PS5 lore that vertical standing PS5 consoles would inevitably suffer a liquid metal leak. Sony's feedback from the Pro rollout must have signalled this leaky issue had been tamed. But since this is a "silent upgrade," we might never know the stats behind the engineering change.

Modyfikator89 seems rather pleased with the heatsink upgrade, declaring that it represents a “huge engineering victory,” and that the new Slim is “the most stable PS5 you can buy right now.” It is certainly good to see these small refinements continue, as the PS5’s successor is probably still three to four years away. As such, some would say this generation is still in its prime – especially with launch issues, and niggles ironed out, and the game library and system affordability being better than ever.

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Mark Tyson
Mark Tyson
News Editor

Mark Tyson is a news editor at Tom's Hardware. He enjoys covering the full breadth of PC tech; from business and semiconductor design to products approaching the edge of reason.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • bit_user
    The article said:
    the new consoles starting with model CFI-2116 should be “free from the metal leak issue that affected older PS5 FAT/ OG and Slim CFI2016 from 2023,” comments Modyfikator89.
    Except, I'm pretty sure that even the PS5 Pro has been affected by leakage, in a few known instances. I'll see if I can dig up a source on that.

    Basically, the advice on avoiding leakage is to take care not to subject any vertical-standing consoles to large shocks or vibrations. I wonder if this might've had anything to do with Sony's decision not to include the vertical stand with the Pro and Slim models, in spite of always depicting them in the vertical orientation.

    I really wish there was some way you could see the PS5's package temperature, in order to get some early warning of whether you're experiencing LM leakage. I guess ignorance is just a fact of life, inside Sony's walled garden.
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89
    I have a PS5 that I purchased about 6 months after launch and it has been super reliable. I've had it in the vertical standing position and switched to the horizontal position. No issues.
    Reply
  • bit_user
    Heat_Fan89 said:
    I have a PS5 that I purchased about 6 months after launch and it has been super reliable. I've had it in the vertical standing position and switched to the horizontal position. No issues.
    Some articles I've seen estimated the failure rate at up to 3%. That's still pretty good odds.

    Also, like I said, it could have a lot to do with whether the console gets impacted or heavily vibrated during operation.
    Reply
  • Heat_Fan89
    bit_user said:
    Some articles I've seen estimated the failure rate at up to 3%. That's still pretty good odds.

    Also, like I said, it could have a lot to do with whether the console gets impacted or heavily vibrated during operation.
    IIRC, 5% failure rate is industry standard for consumer electronics.
    Reply