Kickstarter Campaign Introduces $39 AI-Enhanced PlayStation 5 Add-On Claimed to Lower Exhaust Temperatures by Up to 9°C

A Kickstarter campaign is creating quite the buzz with its new gadget aimed at tackling PlayStation 5 overheating issues, including those alarming instances where the rear I/O might even melt. As of our latest check, the campaign has raised $89,000 and is eyeing a stretch goal of $125,000. This cooling accessory starts at $39.

Called the Arctic PS5 cooler, this innovative device claims to be the first of its kind powered by AI. It’s essentially a clip-on vent that attaches to the back of the PS5, sporting either four or six fans to actively disperse heat. It draws power from a single USB port but has a pass-through feature, so your number of available ports remains unchanged.

SCRY, the minds behind this Kickstarter, offer three different versions tailor-made for each PS5 variant: the original (nicknamed the “fat” version), the PS5 slim, and the freshly announced PS5 Pro. The slim and Pro models include four fans each—three at the top and one at the bottom—while the original boasts six fans.

What sets these coolers apart, as emphasized multiple times on their Kickstarter page, is their “smart thermal AI.” This technology adjusts the fan speed according to the console’s internal temperature. However, it leaves us wondering how different this is compared to traditional PC fan management. The system is designed to kick the fans into high gear at 50°C to keep everything running smoothly.

SCRY asserts that their cooler can slash the PS5’s temperature by 30% from usual levels, reducing the maximum from 64°C to 55°C. Thermal imaging on their site illustrates a 9-degree Celsius drop at the PS5’s hottest spot, the ethernet port.

Preventing overheating on Sony’s console is the primary target of these coolers, especially after previous reports about overheating in games like Final Fantasy XVI last year. In some extreme cases, reports suggested the PS5 could overheat to such an extent that rear connectors might melt.

Besides the PS5 coolers, SCRY is also putting forward a Gen 4 M.2 SSD featuring a heatsink as part of their Kickstarter venture.

Moreover, the campaign is aiming at a $125,000 stretch goal that includes a bonus—a free universal stand for the PS5 they’re calling “vertikal.” They have additional stretch goals pegged at $75,000 and $100,000, which they plan to disclose upon reaching those targets.