Sony PS5: Here are five new things we learned from the teardown video

Sony recently released a teardown video of its upcoming PlayStation 5 (PS5) console, giving curious gamers a peek at the console’s interior. Earlier in the week, Sony invited several Japanese publications and YouTubers to get some hands-on time with the PS5, but this seven-minute video offers us an even better look at the console from every angle and then some.

In the video, Yasuhiro Ootori, head of Sony’s mechanical design for the PS5 begins by taking us through the various ports found on the console’s exterior. On the front there is a single USB Type-A (Hi-Speed USB) and a USB Type-C port (SuperSpeed USB 10GBps). Turning the console around, the rear ports include two USB Type-A ports (SuperSpeed USB 10GBps), a LAN port, HDMI out and the AC In connector for power.

1. The stand is very cool

He proceeds to demonstrate how the included stand holds the PS5 up in a vertical position is secured with a single flathead screw on the bottom of the unit, similar to a computer monitor. There is a special compartment in the stand where you can store the screw, making sure you won’t misplace it. Interestingly, the same stand is used to rest the console on when it is orientated horizontally.

2. The white side panels are easily removable

The white panels on both side of the console can easily be removed by lifting and sliding them off. Underneath, the main cooling fan, with a diameter of 120mm and thickness of 45mm, draws air from both side of the console to keep the console cooled. To keep the internals clean from dust, the PS5 has two dust catchers and users can vacuum dust out from the two holes.

3. Expandable SSD storage slot

For users keen on expanding the amount of storage on the PS5, Sony demonstrated how users can easily remove a small access panel near the cooling fan. Removing the panel’s single Philips-head screw reveals the M.2 interface slot with PCIe 4.0 support where you can insert a compatible NVMe SSD drive. We will update you once we know which SSD drives are compatible with the PS5.

4. Double insulated Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive

Ootori next showed how the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive can be easily removed. It should be noted that the drive is completely covered with a sheet metal case and mounted with two layers of insulators to reduce drive noise and vibrations when the discs spin.

5. Liquid Metal is used to keep CPU cool

Most notably, Sony said the PS5 uses liquid metal instead of regular thermal interface material to keep the onboard a custom eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU cooled.

The reason for the use of liquid metal, as explained by Ootori, is because the System on Chip is a small die running on a very high clock rate. “This led to a very high thermal density in the silicon die, which required us to significantly increase the performance of the thermal conductor,” he said.

It is claimed that liquid metal ensures long-term, stable and high-cooling performance. Sony said it spent two years developing this liquid metal cooling mechanism.

These cooling solutions seem to have paid off for Sony as the first hands-on session by Japanese media pointed out how surprisingly quiet the console sounded given its massive size. This will be a welcome change as the current generation PlayStation 4’s cooling fan is notoriously noisy.

While checking out the insides of the PS5 is very cool, Sony warns users not to fully disassemble their console at home. According to the message, doing risk exposing users to laser radiation, electric shock or other injuries. Furthermore, disassembling the PS5 would result in voiding your warranty.

Sony’s head of hardware engineering and operation Masayasu Ito explained in a blog post that the company spent the past five years designing and developing the console.

“Our team values a well thought out, beautifully designed architecture. Inside the console is an internal structure looking neat and tidy, which means that there aren’t any unnecessary components and the design is efficient. As a result, we’re able to achieve our goal of creating a product with a high degree of perfection and quality.”

The next PlayStation is the biggest console in modern history, measuring 390mm tall, 360mm deep and 104mm wide, making it even bigger than the upcoming Microsoft Xbox Series X and Series S consoles.

The PS5 is set to launch in Asia on 19 November, though there are still no details of the official Malaysian launch. In terms of pricing, we know that the PS5 Digital Edition will cost USD 399.99 (~RM1,652) while PS5 with an Ultra HD Blu-ray disc drive will retail for USD 499.99 (~RM2,065).

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