Console Technician Uncovers Unique PS5 Pro Heatsink Design with Machined Grooves to Prevent Solder Paste Leaks

Sony’s latest PlayStation 5 Pro has made a subtle yet intriguing adjustment to its heatsink design. TronicsFix, a well-known YouTube channel dedicated to console repairs, recently unveiled these changes, highlighting a distinct rectangular spiral pattern on the PS5 Pro’s heatsink, breaking away from the usual smooth finish.

This design tweak seems more than just an aesthetic choice. TronicsFix suggests that the meticulously crafted surface helps reduce dry spots and minimizes the oxidation problems commonly associated with liquid metal thermal interface materials. These materials have a quirky tendency to spread out unevenly, often pooling and seeking escape routes unlike traditional pastes. Liquid metal, being electrically conductive, can potentially wreak havoc if it leaks onto sensitive components. Manufacturers usually address this issue by creating barriers around the heatsink to keep the liquid metal in check.

Interestingly, TronicsFix notes that the challenge of managing liquid metal becomes more pronounced when the console is positioned vertically. With significant experience in repairing consoles, including a myriad of PS5s, his observations carry considerable weight and suggest a genuine issue with the original design.

Sony’s introduction of the rectangular spiral grooves could be seen as a move away from time-honored cooling strategies. Overclocking enthusiasts have long lauded the benefits of ‘lapping’—the practice of polishing surfaces to a mirror-like finish to maximize thermal efficiency. But with the advent of liquid metal, Sony apparently discovered that a textured surface with increased contact area might offer superior benefits. It’s likely they put this new heatsink through rigorous testing, contrasting it with a traditional smooth one, and found the new design offered tangible thermal advantages.

Given the PS5 Pro’s enhanced processing capabilities, especially its upgraded GPU, these grooves might be part of a broader strategy to manage heat more effectively and prevent thermal throttling.

Officially introduced to the public in early September, the PS5 Pro only began hitting shelves recently. While enthusiasts and tech experts are still taking it apart to understand all its nuances, a lot of foundational knowledge was shared during a live stream by lead architect Mark Cerny at its launch, providing deep insights into the new features and improvements.