Sony has provided fans with some advice on preventing their PlayStation 5 from overheating when the next-generation console launches this Thursday. After a PlayStation 5 overheated at Best Buy in a display a few days ago, the community may be a little concerned about the system’s cooling capabilities. The heat sink patent for Sony’s upcoming device was revealed in April 2020, with the internal design showing the heat sink will be located on the bottom of a circuit board.
Heat output and proper ventilation are critical components of any gaming device, from high-end PCs to next-generation consoles. Both the PS5 and the Xbox Series X|S have been scrutinized by the community and critics to determine whether the systems can keep themselves cool enough provided they’re given enough room to ventilate properly. The Xbox Series X’s heat, for example, is comparable to that of the Xbox One X, according to a member of Xbox Games Marketing at Microsoft.
With the PS5 launching this Thursday, Sony has given some advice on how players can prevent their console from overheating. When discussing the best practices for setting up a PlayStation 5 at home, the company says fans should do the following:
- “Place the console at least 10 cm. (4 in.) away from a wall surface.”
- “Do not place on a carpet or rug with long fibers.”
- “Do not place in a narrow or cramped space.”
- “Do not cover with cloth.”
- “Do not allow dust to build up on the vents. Use a cleaning tool such as a vacuum cleaner to remove dust buildup.”
The fear of overheating plagues all gamers who want their coveted systems to last perpetually. Sony’s tips for ensuring the PS5 has a minimal chance of succumbing to excessive heat are by no means new guidelines. Proper ventilation has always been a consumer’s responsibility, as keeping equipment that generates the kind of heat modern consoles and gaming PCs do in an entertainment display without openings for air flow can cause major problems. These issues are not the fault of the manufacturer, but rather the unfortunate misplacement by fans.
At this stage in the gaming industry, veteran gamers should understand how paramount cooling capabilities are for their systems. While taking all the necessary precautions may still result in a console overheating, taking steps to reduce the risk could save both time and money on repairs and shipping, especially when it comes to a console as pricey as the PS5. While every generation inevitably has a few faulty outliers that will overheat regardless of placement and cleanliness, such as the problems with he initial batch of Microsoft’s Xbox One X, following protocol in keeping a system cool enough to continue chugging along is very much a cooperative effort by both company and consumer.
Sony’s PS5 launches November 12.
Source: Sony