Kickstarter Project Promises $39 AI-Enhanced PS5 Add-On Lowers Exhaust Temperatures by Up to 9°C

There’s an intriguing Kickstarter campaign making waves with its PlayStation 5 cooling accessory, addressing overheating issues and potential melting of the rear I/O. At the time of writing, the campaign had already raised $89,000, with hopes to hit a stretch goal of $125,000. If you’re interested in this cooling gadget, prices start at a reasonable $39.

This innovative product is called the Arctic PS5 cooler, and it claims to be the first of its kind powered by AI for your PS5. The design is pretty clever—it’s a clip-on vent that attaches to the console’s rear exhaust, equipped with either four or six fans to effectively manage heat. It connects via a single USB port and even offers a pass-through port, so you won’t lose any USB functionality on your console.

The team behind this Kickstarter, SCRY, offers three versions of this cooler tailored to different PlayStation 5 models: the original (or “fat” model, as they cheekily call it), the slim, and the new PS5 Pro. The Pro and Slim versions rely on four fans in total—three at the top and one at the bottom—while the “fat” version has six fans to power through.

As explained multiple times on their campaign page, these coolers feature “smart thermal AI.” This technology adjusts fan speeds according to the PS5’s internal temperature, reminiscent of how PC fans have managed heat for ages. Once the temperature hits 50C, the fans supposedly kick into high gear to ensure the console stays cool.

SCRY boasts that their cooler can lower the console’s operating temperature by 30%, bringing it down from a scorching 64C to 55C. Thermal imaging on their site showcases a notable 9-degree Celsius decrease at the PS5’s rear, particularly around the ethernet port—a hotspot known for overheating.

These coolers aim to tackle any overheating troubles that might plague Sony’s console, as reports from last year suggest some games, like Final Fantasy XVI, can push the PS5 to its limits, sometimes even leading to melted rear connectors.

Oh, and that’s not all; SCRY is also rolling out a Gen 4 M.2 SSD complete with a heatsink as part of their Kickstarter campaign, adding another layer of appeal.

Lastly, if SCRY hits that $125,000 stretch goal, backers will score a complimentary “vertikal” universal PS5 stand. There are also targets at $75,000 and $100,000, though the specifics become clear once they’re unlocked.