Console Technician Unveils Innovative Grooved Heatsink Design in PS5 Pro to Prevent Solder Paste Leakage

Sony’s latest PlayStation 5 Pro has quietly made headlines with an intriguing change in its heatsink design. The popular YouTube channel TronicsFix, known for console repairs, unearthed this update, noting that the heatsink isn’t the typical shiny, smooth surface. Instead, it showcases a unique rectangular spiral pattern.

In a recent video by TronicsFix, they discuss why this pattern might have been introduced. The design is believed to tackle dry spots and surface oxidation, issues often caused by liquid metal thermal interface material (TIM) migrating on the heatsink. Additionally, the pattern may subtly enhance the contact area between surfaces.

Anyone who’s worked with liquid metal knows it doesn’t spread like traditional thermal paste. It tends to pool up and can flow into unwanted areas, posing a risk due to its conductive nature. That’s why designs specifically for liquid metal use barriers to prevent it from escaping and potentially damaging other parts of the system.

Interestingly, TronicsFix also points out that the liquid metal migration problem might be more pronounced in PlayStations used in a vertical position. Given Steve’s extensive experience fixing and optimizing PS5s, his insights are likely spot-on.

The addition of these rectangular spiral ‘grooves’ on the heatsink, which connects with the AMD APU, is fascinating because it challenges traditional cooling approaches. Enthusiasts who push their hardware to the limit often spend time perfecting a smooth, flat connection for heat transfer. However, the dynamics brought by liquid metal have changed the game. Sony must have conducted thorough tests comparing this new pattern with a conventional smooth design and found merit in their new approach.

With the PlayStation 5 Pro’s increased processing capabilities, especially its more robust GPU, these heatsink ‘grooves’ seem crucial for warding off thermal throttling issues.

Initially unveiled in early September, the PS5 Pro only hit the shelves for consumers earlier this month. While enthusiasts and experts continue to dissect the new design, most technical specifications were shared during a launch live stream by lead architect Mark Cerny.