Kickstarter Campaign Unveils $39 AI-Driven PS5 Add-On Promising Up to 9°C Exhaust Temp Reduction

A Kickstarter initiative has been launched, introducing a new PlayStation 5 cooling unit that claims to solve overheating issues and prevent the console’s rear I/O from potentially melting. At the time of writing, the campaign had hit $89,000 with a stretch target set at $125,000. For those interested in the cooling device, prices start at $39.

This cooling gadget, known as the Arctic PS5 cooler, is marketed as the first of its kind to incorporate AI technology specifically for PS5 consoles. It’s essentially a clip-on vent that attaches to the rear exhaust of Sony’s PS5. The cooler comes with either four or six fans designed to actively dissipate heat, all powered by a single USB port. It even includes a USB pass-through to ensure you don’t lose a port on your console.

In their Kickstarter, SCRY—the team behind this innovation—offers three distinct models tailored for each version of the PS5: the original model (referred to by SCRY as the “fat” version), the PS5 Slim, and the newer PS5 Pro. The PS5 Pro and Slim units feature four fans—three at the top and one at the bottom—while the “fat” model includes six fans for increased cooling capacity.

According to the campaign page, all three of these cooling accessories utilize “smart thermal AI,” which automatically adjusts the fans’ speed according to the PS5’s internal temperature. While it’s not entirely clear how this differs from the traditional PC fan speed controls, which have been around for years, the fans are designed to hit maximum speed once temperatures reach 50°C, aiming to keep the console as cool as possible.

SCRY claims their new cooling device reduces the PS5’s temperature by 30% compared to standard operation, decreasing the maximum temperature from 64°C to 55°C. Their thermal imaging shows a 9°C reduction at the hottest part of the console—the rear, by the ethernet port.

The aim of these coolers is to avoid overheating problems that have plagued Sony’s most recent console release. There were concerns last year about the PS5 overheating during certain game titles like Final Fantasy XVI, with some rare cases reporting melting rear connectors.

Beyond the PS5 coolers, SCRY is also featuring a Gen 4 M.2 SSD with a heatsink in their Kickstarter project.

The Kickstarter page lists a stretch goal of $125,000, after which a free “vertikal” universal PS5 stand will be offered. Additional stretch goals at $75,000 and $100,000 are also planned but will be announced as they are unlocked.