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Sony’s latest iteration, the PlayStation 5 Pro, has discreetly introduced an intriguing change to its heatsink design. This discovery was made by the YouTube channel TronicsFix, known for its console repair expertise. They observed that the heatsink of the PS5 Pro isn’t the usual glossy finish. Instead, it features a unique rectangular spiral pattern on its surface.
In a video, TronicsFix explains this deliberate surface modification likely serves to mitigate issues like dry spots and surface oxidation that can result from the migration of liquid metal thermal interface material (TIM) across the heatsink. This design might also slightly improve the contact surface area.
For those familiar with the tricky nature of applying liquid metal, you know it’s prone to pooling and can inadvertently seep into areas it shouldn’t, unlike traditional thermal pastes. As a result, systems designed to accommodate liquid metal tend to incorporate a seal or barrier around the heatsink to prevent this conductive material from leaking into other components, which could cause damage.
TronicsFix also suggests that the movement of liquid metal may be more pronounced in PlayStation systems used in a vertical position. With his extensive experience repairing and fine-tuning numerous PS5 consoles and other systems, TronicsFix’s insights are likely grounded in a solid understanding of the issue.
It’s fascinating to see Sony adopt a rectangular spiral groove design for the heatsink interfacing with the AMD APU, especially since it seems to contradict traditional cooling strategies. Enthusiasts who overclock and tweak systems often spend considerable effort ensuring both the processor surface and heatsink are impeccably flat and polished. However, the advent of liquid metal usage has shaken up these conventional norms. Sony must have tested this new heatsink against a traditional mirror-smooth one and found the spiral design effective enough to make it a standard feature.
Given the PlayStation 5 Pro’s enhanced processing capabilities—particularly its more powerful GPU—these heatsink grooves likely play a crucial role in preventing thermal throttling.
The PS5 Pro made its official debut in early September but only hit store shelves earlier this month. While enthusiasts and experts are still delving into its new design, lead architect Mark Cerny had already shared most of the technical specs during a live launch stream.
