Sabrent explains the science behind their PS5-optimised SSD heatsink

Sabrent explains the science behind their PS5-optimised SSD heatsink

Sabrent explains the science behind their PS5-optimised SSD heatsink

Last week, Sabrent revealed their PlayStation5 optimised SSD heatsink, which is designed to support all PS5-compatible M.2 NVMe SSDs. Today, Sabrent released a new video to answer questions about the heatsink and explain why Sabrent didn’t just design a smaller SSD heatsink that met Sony’s standard heatsink specifications. 

So why create a bespoke PS5-optimised heatsink? The simple answer is this. Why make a standard M.2 heatsink to meet Sony’s SSD requirements when you can create a wholly custom PS5-optimised heatsink design that delivers better cooling? To put it another way, if you are designing an SSD heatsink with PlayStation 5 in mind, why not make a heatsink specifically for PlayStation 5.  

How does a PlayStation 5 cool and SSD? 

Sony cools the M.2 slot of their PlayStation 5 console using negative pressure, effectively using the suction of the system’s main cooling fan to provide airflow around the system’s SSD slot. This is why Sony recommends that users place their M.2 cover slot over their M.2 slot, as without it this negative pressure disappears and ruins the slot’s intended airflow pattern. 

During Sabrent’s testing, the company discovered that this location was around 10 degrees hotter than ambient temperatures when the system’s M.2 slot was empty. This means that this area of the console gets hot without an attached SSD, and this area will only get hotter when an SSD is installed and used. 

Sabrent strongly recommends that PlayStation 5 users follow Sony’s instructions and install SSDs with a heatsink. This allows users to avoid thermal issues within their PlayStation 5 console and should help extend the lifespan of any attached SSDs. 

Is Sabrent’s solution better than Sony’s?  

Sabrent’s solution is designed to allow SSD users to benefit from Sony’s negative pressure cooling solution while also giving their users a larger heatsink design with a greater surface area. Beyond that, Sabrent has maximised their SSD heatsink’s size while giving console users a simpler heatsink installation process than competing 3rd party heatsink designs. 

Many cheap M.2 heatsinks require components that snap/screw together or use heatsinks that are attached to SSDs using elastic bands or cable ties. Sabrent’s solution is much easier, as users just need to install a heatsink-less M.2 SSD into their PlayStation consoles and then install Sabrent’s heatsink in the same location as the PS5’s SSD cover plate. Sony’s SSD cover bracket’s retention mechanism will allow their heatsink to make contact with your SSD using Sabrent’s supplied thermal pad. 

Frankly, Sabrent’s solution is so clever that we are surprised that Sony didn’t think of it. Sabrent covers their design in more detail in the video below.

Pre-orders for Sabrent’s PS5-optimised SSD heatsink will be available soon in the US, UK, and Europe. SSD/Heatsink bundles will also be available soon for PS5 owners. 

You can join the discussion on Sabrent’s PS5-optimised SSD heatsink on the OC3D Forums. 


Sabrent explains the science behind their PS5-optimised SSD heatsink Â