Kickstarter Campaign Unveils $39 AI-Enhanced PS5 Add-On That Lowers Exhaust Temperature by 9°C

A Kickstarter initiative is generating buzz around its new cooling unit for the PlayStation 5, which aims to tackle overheating issues and even prevent the melting of rear connectors. At the time of writing, the campaign had amassed $89,000, with hopes of reaching a $125,000 stretch goal. You can snag this cooling device starting at $39.

Introducing the Arctic PS5 cooler—the first of its kind to use AI technology. This clever clip-on gadget attaches to the rear exhaust of Sony’s PS5 console to help with heat dissipation. Depending on the model, it comes with either four or six fans and runs off just a single USB port, thoughtfully including a pass-through USB so you won’t be short on ports.

For a deeper dive, check out the YouTube video under the title “Is Your PS5 OVERHEATING?”, which explores the potential overheating issues of the PS5.

The folks at SCRY, the brains behind this Kickstarter, have designed three distinct models to fit each version of the PS5: the original (affectionately called the “fat” model by SCRY), the PS5 slim, and the newly released PS5 Pro. While the PS5 Pro and Slim models sport four fans—three on top, one on the bottom—the “fat” version boasts six fans.

A key feature promoted on their Kickstarter page is the “smart thermal AI” system that dynamically adjusts fan speed according to the console’s internal temperature. This might leave some wondering how it differs from traditional PC fan controls, but the promise is there. The fans are set to boost to full speed at 50°C to keep things cool.

SCRY claims the cooler slashes temperatures by 30% compared to the console’s standard operation, reducing the maximum from 64°C down to 55°C. They even offer thermal camera footage showcasing a 9-degree Celsius drop at the PS5’s hottest spots, like the ethernet port.

The aim of this gadget is to prevent overheating on the PS5—a problem that has been cropping up with games like Final Fantasy XVI. In some extreme cases, overheating has reportedly caused rear connectors to melt.

Besides the coolers, SCRY’s Kickstarter also features a Gen 4 M.2 SSD equipped with a heatsink, appealing to those looking to enhance their gaming setup.

Reaching the $125,000 stretch goal would reward backers with a free “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. There are further stretch goals at $75,000 and $100,000, which will apparently be revealed upon unlocking. Stay tuned!