Based on a patent, it appears that Sony will be making changes to the cooling solution that caused malfunctions in the PlayStation 5’s predecessor.

Following the console’s 2020 launch, the PlayStation 5’s liquid metal cooling system quickly gained a bad reputation. The system was somewhat unreliable in the initial units, often leading to overheating issues. Additionally, the liquid metal leaked onto the console’s APU and motherboard components, causing widespread malfunctions that are still being reported. However, for the PlayStation 6, Sony Interactive Entertainment plans to take a different approach to cooling, as evidenced by a new patent that recently surfaced online.

Rather than using liquid metal cooling, the PlayStation 6 will employ an advanced vapor-based cooling system. This system uses a water-like liquid and multiple conical heat pipes to regulate circulation and prevent overheating. This system ensures proper cooling even when the console is placed vertically.

In addition to providing better cooling for the PlayStation 6, this cooling solution will help keep manufacturing costs low. Liquid-metal cooling requires an extremely complex application process on the assembly line, where even a small spill can cause irreversible damage to components. In contrast, the vapor chamber is a modular unit that can be mounted onto the console’s APU using standard procedures, thereby reducing the risk of manufacturing defects. While it is highly likely that the PlayStation 6 will not use liquid metal cooling due to the numerous problems experienced with the standard PlayStation 5, there is no guarantee that Sony will use this specific, patented vapor-based cooling system.

Whatever Sony chooses, the company will certainly take the cooling issues of the current-generation console into account to prevent units from failing shortly after launch. Given its expected high price, it would be disastrous for the company—which hasn’t been in the spotlight lately—and for gamers if a $1,000-plus console were to break down just a few months after purchase.

Source: WCCFTech, Tech4gamers