Kickstarter Campaign Introduces $39 AI-Driven PlayStation 5 Add-On That Lowers Exhaust Temperatures by Up to 9°C

A Kickstarter campaign is generating buzz with its new PlayStation 5 cooling unit, which promises to address overheating issues and prevent the rear I/O from melting. At the time of writing, the campaign has raised $89,000 and aims to hit a stretch goal of $125,000. You can snag one of these cooling units starting at $39.

The cooling gadget, known as the Arctic PS5 cooler, claims to be the world’s first AI-powered cooling accessory for the PS5. Designed as a clip-on vent, it attaches to the rear exhaust of Sony’s console. Depending on the model, it features either four or six fans tasked with moving heat away from the console. It’s easy to power up with just one USB port, and there’s even a pass-through USB port so you don’t lose any connectivity options.

SCRY, the company behind this innovative cooler, offers three distinct models catering to each PlayStation 5 version: the original “fat” model, the PS5 Slim, and the newly released PS5 Pro. The Pro and Slim models are similarly configured, each sporting four fans—three located on top and one on the bottom—while the original PS5 version boasts six fans for extra cooling power.

A standout feature of these coolers is their “smart thermal AI” technology, which adjusts the fan speed according to the internal temperature of the PS5. It’s a bit of a mystery how this AI management diverges from the traditional fan control systems we’ve seen in PCs for ages. Nevertheless, at a threshold of 50°C, the fans will kick into high gear to maintain optimal cooling.

According to SCRY, using this cooling add-on leads to a 30% drop in temperature compared to the PS5’s standard operation, lowering the maximum temperature from 64°C to just 55°C. Thermal imaging on their site shows that the hottest area, particularly around the ethernet port on the rear of the PS5 chassis, can be cooler by 9 degrees Celsius.

The goal here is straightforward: extend the lifespan of your PS5 and prevent any potential overheating headaches. This is particularly relevant given the overheating concerns flagged in some game titles last year, including Final Fantasy XVI. In extreme cases, overheating has been reported to cause melting of some rear connectors.

Alongside these PS5 coolers, SCRY is also spotlighting a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with a built-in heatsink as part of their campaign.

The Kickstarter page outlines a plan to reach a $125,000 stretch goal, which would include a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. Additional stretch targets set at $75,000 and $100,000 are also mentioned, though the specifics seem to be a surprise waiting to be unlocked.