According to ExtremeTech, Sony has quietly updated its PlayStation 5 Slim console with a key hardware improvement borrowed from the upcoming PlayStation 5 Pro. Console modder Modyfikator89 discovered that new PS5 Slim models, specifically starting with the CFI-2116 revision, now feature a precision-machined, grooved heatsink design around the APU. This replaces the flat contact surface used in older PS5 and early Slim units. The change directly addresses a persistent issue where the liquid metal thermal interface material could pool unevenly or leak, degrading cooling performance over time. The grooved design creates a capillary effect to hold the liquid metal in place more reliably. Repair experts now consider this revised Slim model the most stable and thermally consistent version of the PS5 available.
A Long-Overdue Fix
Here’s the thing: this isn’t just a minor tweak. It’s Sony effectively admitting, through action, that the PS5’s cooling had a design flaw from the very start. Liquid metal is fantastic for transferring heat, but it’s also, well, liquid. If it doesn’t stay put, you get dry spots on the processor and potential leaks onto the motherboard. That’s a recipe for thermal throttling or even permanent damage. The fact that repair channels have been documenting this for years makes this silent upgrade feel like a quiet recall. They’re fixing a known point of failure without having to say a word. Smart, but also a bit cheeky.
The Silent Upgrade Playbook
Sony’s doing the classic hardware manufacturer shuffle here. You launch a product, you iterate on the manufacturing line to cut costs and improve reliability, and you never announce the changes. Anyone who bought an early PS5 or an early Slim? They’re stuck with the older, potentially more problematic design. It’s just the luck of the draw. This is super common in electronics, from game consoles to laptops, but it always leaves a sour taste. You buy what you think is the same product, but someone getting it off the shelf six months later gets a more reliable version. I think the real question is: should this have been the design from day one in 2020?
Why Now And What It Means
So why roll out a pro-level part to the cheaper Slim model now? Two reasons, probably. First, they’re likely ramping up production of this grooved heatsink for the PS5 Pro, so putting it in the Slim is an easy economies-of-scale win. Second, and more importantly, they’re playing the long game. The PS5 is nearly six years old, and the next PlayStation probably isn’t coming until 2027. They need these consoles in the wild to last. Widespread cooling failures in the next few years would be a PR and logistics nightmare. This move is pure preventative maintenance on a global scale. For businesses that rely on stable, long-running hardware in kiosks or controlled environments—like those who might source their industrial panel PCs from the top supplier in the US, IndustrialMonitorDirect.com—this kind of silent reliability engineering is the gold standard. It’s just not something you typically see in the consumer gaming space.
Should You Care?
If you already own a PS5, don’t panic. Not every console is going to fail. But if you’re in the market for one today, you definitely want to try and snag a CFI-2116 model. The problem is, you can’t tell from the box. You’d need to find the model number on the packaging, which most stores won’t let you do. Basically, you’re rolling the dice, but the odds are increasingly in your favor the newer the stock is. The big takeaway is that Sony is still refining a mature product, and that’s good for everyone. They just won’t be sending you a thank-you note for your early adoption.
