Kickstarter Campaign Unveils $39 AI-Enhanced PlayStation 5 Add-On that Lowers Exhaust Temperatures by up to 9°C

A Kickstarter campaign is currently making waves with its new cooling unit designed for the PlayStation 5, claiming to effectively handle overheating issues and prevent any potential rear I/O melting. When we last checked, the fundraising campaign was sitting comfortably at $89,000, and they’re aiming for a stretch goal of $125,000. The cooling device starts at a price point of $39.

This cooling add-on, named the Arctic PS5 cooler, is being marketed as the world’s first AI-driven PS5 cooler. It’s basically a clip-on vent that attaches to the rear exhaust of Sony’s PS5 console, equipped with either four or six fans that actively work to disperse heat. What’s convenient is that it only needs a single USB port for power and features a pass-through USB port, so you won’t lose any connectivity options on your console.

SCRY, the brains behind this Kickstarter, is presenting three distinct models, tailored to each version of the PS5: the original PS5, humorously referred to as the “fat” model, the PS5 slim, and the newly released PS5 Pro. Both the PS5 Pro and Slim versions are similar, featuring four fans—three positioned at the top and one at the bottom. The original “fat” PS5 version, however, boasts six fans.

According to the Kickstarter campaign page, all three cooling units utilize “smart thermal AI” to adjust the fan speed in response to the PS5’s internal temperature. It’s somewhat unclear how this technology compares to traditional PC fan controls that have been around for quite some time. Once the internal temperature hits 50°C, the fans are programmed to ramp up to their maximum speed, ensuring the console stays cool.

SCRY claims this new cooling device can reduce the PlayStation’s temperature by about 30% compared to its normal operation, dropping from a peak of 64°C down to 55°C. Thermal images provided on their website indicate a 9 degrees Celsius decrease at the hottest spot on the rear of the PS5 chassis, right by the ethernet port.

The primary goal of these PS5 coolers is to address any overheating issues on Sony’s cutting-edge console. Last year, several titles, including Final Fantasy XVI, were rumored to have overheating problems. In some extreme cases, the PS5 reportedly overheated to the extent that the rear connectors melted.

Alongside these innovative PS5 coolers, SCRY is also showcasing a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with a heatsink as part of the Kickstarter campaign.

Moreover, the main page mentions a stretch goal reaching up to $125,000, which comes with the bonus of a free “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. Stretch goals set at $75,000 and $100,000 are also in play, though the specifics of these will only be revealed once they’re unlocked.