PlayStation 5 GDDR6 memory reaches potentially critical temperatures due to seemingly inadequate PS5 cooling solution design

erek

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"When testing the thermal development of the key components, including the GDDR6 memory, it was discovered that the bottom memory module reached a scorching temperature of 93.3 °C (199.94 °F). The temperature was still high with one of the PS5’s plates removed, while taking off both plates helped the situation a little, with the thermal measurement reaching 88.6 °C (191.48 °F). Testing was carried out in an ambient temperature of around 23 °C (73.4 °F). For the sake of context, Micron records a maximum operating temperature of 105 °C (221 °F) for its GDDR6 memory.

Further along in the Gamers Nexus PS5 thermal testing video there seems to be an explanation for why the memory module runs so hot, especially in comparison to the top memory module that hits a reasonable 65.5 °C (149.9 °F). The heavily finned heatsink inside the PS5 has the top memory covered, but there is no contact for the bottom module, leaving it to run at potentially critically high levels. While this might not be too much of a concern for gamers who live in cooler climates, those used to having ambient temperatures that are 10-15 degrees higher than those recorded in this PS5 teardown video could be faced with a throttling or crashing console."


https://www.notebookcheck.net/PlayS...ate-PS5-cooling-solution-design.505790.0.html
 
So much for testing before sending out the door.
This is what GN is expecting/predicting, but they haven’t actually seen any failures. It’s always possible the components are specifically made to work just fine with those temperatures. We’ll have to wait and see if failures start cropping up like they did with the RROD on the 360.
 
This is what GN is expecting/predicting, but they haven’t actually seen any failures. It’s always possible the components are specifically made to work just fine with those temperatures. We’ll have to wait and see if failures start cropping up like they did with the RROD on the 360.
Fine is subjective. It'll work fine for now, but for how long? Running components that hot will inevitably fail, just like the Xbox 360 RROD.
 
Nice, a dedicated FUD console thread for DukenukemX to shit on consoles some more. Thanks, Erek. 😐

Maybe create or come back to the thread when and IF this poses any real widespread issues with the console. Otherwise, I think it's a good assumption that Sony engineers have accounted for this and tested the console in reasonable ambient temperature ranges. At least it's certainly more believable that they did than didn't.
 
Nice, a dedicated FUD console thread for DukenukemX to shit on consoles some more. Thanks, Erek. 😐

Maybe create or come back to the thread when and IF this poses any real widespread issues with the console. Otherwise, I think it's a good assumption that Sony engineers have accounted for this and tested the console in reasonable ambient temperature ranges. At least it's certainly more believable that they did than didn't.

Lol, always assume incompetence.

They probably tested it, but its pretty easy for management to ignore the engineers and focus on the astetic.
 
Lol, always assume incompetence.

They probably tested it, but its pretty easy for management to ignore the engineers and focus on the astetic.

Yes, because that won't cost them much more money in RMAs and replacements. Pretty sure it's in their best interests to minimize hardware failure and defects, esp from a management standpoint.
 
Have you been around (earth) long?

Long enough to own all previous Playstation consoles with zero issues other than fan noise, which seems Sony finally fixed on the PS5 as well. I had to fix it my myself on my PS4 Pro by replacing the thermal compound.
 
Long enough to own all previous Playstation consoles with zero issues other than fan noise, which seems Sony finally fixed on the PS5 as well. I had to fix it my myself on my PS4 Pro by replacing the thermal compound.
You are lucky to have just one, got wireless/bluetooth issue on the PS3, wireless issue with the PS4 and on the PS2 a fuse that just falled down.
 
You are lucky to have just one, got wireless/bluetooth issue on the PS3, wireless issue with the PS4 and on the PS2 a fuse that just falled down.

I think it's more that you're unlucky. My daughter still plays my PS3 almost daily after having it for 12 years now.
 
Long enough to own all previous Playstation consoles with zero issues other than fan noise, which seems Sony finally fixed on the PS5 as well. I had to fix it my myself on my PS4 Pro by replacing the thermal compound.

your personal experience does not create a reliable data set, it is opinion and one that doesn't aknowledge reality or risks. If the system runs hot (very likely given everything we all know about consoles) and its shown to go outside of part tollerences, I'll bet you that these will start failing.

You know in reality that every product launch has plenty of issues, RROD, Space Invaders, fuse failures, component failures, the list goes on with every single product.

My PS2 and 3 failed and had to be RMA'd, my Wii failed and was RMA'd twice, my PS4 failed outside warranty and I got a pro, I had the RROD.

of course, everyone else is just unlucky, couldn't possibly be that design defects exist and products get revisions throughout their lifecycle to compensate.
 
I think it's more that you're unlucky. My daughter still plays my PS3 almost daily after having it for 12 years now.
My PS3 is starting to go :'( the BD drive isn't working as it should, PS5 looking to be a replacement sometime soon I guess. My thoughts are that if this is an actual issue they can always issue an update and decrease a clock speed here or tweak a voltage there and potentially save a degree or 3 without a noticeable change in system performance.
 
I think it's more that you're unlucky. My daughter still plays my PS3 almost daily after having it for 12 years now.

The Yellow Light of Death was a well known problem with PS3's. PS2 lasers were notoriously fickle, to the point where parts re-sellers made sure to always have decent stock on hand for replacements. The slim PS2 had known laser issues where in some units the system would refuse to read blue-back discs. The PS1 had all sorts of hardware issues. YOU never having issues does not constitute the systems never having known issues.
 
The Yellow Light of Death was a well known problem with PS3's. PS2 lasers were notoriously fickle, to the point where parts re-sellers made sure to always have decent stock on hand for replacements. The slim PS2 had known laser issues where in some units the system would refuse to read blue-back discs. The PS1 had all sorts of hardware issues. YOU never having issues does not constitute the systems never having known issues.

I'm aware of those. Now what do you think the percentage of those affected were of the total consoles sold and didn't exhibit those issues? It's probably not a citable figure, but I'd wager less than 5%, esp in the PS2's case given its the best selling console ever.
 
your personal experience does not create a reliable data set, it is opinion and one that doesn't aknowledge reality or risks. If the system runs hot (very likely given everything we all know about consoles) and its shown to go outside of part tollerences, I'll bet you that these will start failing.

You know in reality that every product launch has plenty of issues, RROD, Space Invaders, fuse failures, component failures, the list goes on with every single product.

My PS2 and 3 failed and had to be RMA'd, my Wii failed and was RMA'd twice, my PS4 failed outside warranty and I got a pro, I had the RROD.

of course, everyone else is just unlucky, couldn't possibly be that design defects exist and products get revisions throughout their lifecycle to compensate.

See above.
 
My RMA'd ps2 and 3 are still functioning just fine, same with the xbox. I don't begrudge the design flaw, they happen all the time, with every product (cars anyone!?) and much of the time RMA takes care of it.

I do begrudge the moron running around acting like they don't exist.
I'm aware of those. Now what do you think the percentage of those affected were of the total consoles sold and didn't exhibit those issues? It's probably not a citable figure, but I'd wager less than 5%, esp in the PS2's case given its the best selling console ever.
Nice shifting goal post. fans :rolleyes:
 
I'm aware of those. Now what do you think the percentage of those affected were of the total consoles sold and didn't exhibit those issues? It's probably not a citable figure, but I'd wager less than 5%, esp in the PS2's case given its the best selling console ever.
There is 2 different figure, in total console some of those issues could be low, among the people that bought the first batch at launch it could significant (like over 2% type of really high figures), for some of them future console sold will have a fix.
 
I'm aware of those. Now what do you think the percentage of those affected were of the total consoles sold and didn't exhibit those issues? It's probably not a citable figure, but I'd wager less than 5%, esp in the PS2's case given its the best selling console ever.

Sony was sued for refusing to repair PS2 "disc read error" systems. So it was a big enough problem to cause a class-action lawsuit.
 
My RMA'd ps2 and 3 are still functioning just fine, same with the xbox. I don't begrudge the design flaw, they happen all the time, with every product (cars anyone!?) and much of the time RMA takes care of it.

I do begrudge the moron running around acting like they don't exist.

Nice shifting goal post. fans :rolleyes:

I'm not acting like those issues don't exist, but you only see reports of hardware (for any product) failures, not those who didn't have issues. Skewing how many it seems to be affected.

I'm not sure you know what goal post shifting means either. That was entirely relevant to my argument. I'm sorry it doesn't take much for you to begrudge someone though and to stoop to insults (a key indication of losing an argument).

An original 20GB or 60GB PS3?

80GB with software PS2 emulation. Got it with MGS4 bundle.

Sony was sued for refusing to repair PS2 "disc read error" systems. So it was a big enough problem to cause a class-action lawsuit.

Well 5% of PS2s sold would still be over 7 million consoles, which I'd say could easily be enough for a class-action lawsuit.
 
Well 5% of PS2s sold would still be over 7 million consoles, which I'd say could easily be enough for a class-action lawsuit.
You talk has if 5% would not be a giant number.

Imagine a product has 10-12 non virtually nil defect occurring, now imagine that some at the top 3 of the most common of those defect occur on 1-2-3-5% of the models, you would end up with what percentage of the console sold having a defect ?

If a particular issue occured to has much has 5% of the system sold, that sound like it would be a giant number of them.
 
Same song and dance, cooling has been shit on the Playstation since the PS3.

Not to mention how shitty the PS5 design is for the internals. Sony "Hey guys, lets cram a bunch of high end hardware into a tiny plastic shoebox!"
 
I'm not acting like those issues don't exist, but you only see reports of hardware (for any product) failures, not those who didn't have issues. Skewing how many it seems to be affected.

I'm not sure you know what goal post shifting means either. That was entirely relevant to my argument. I'm sorry it doesn't take much for you to begrudge someone though and to stoop to insults (a key indication of losing an argument).

I'm pretty sure you can surmise that by the number of people jumping on your comments that you are incorrect. I am also certain you won't relent.

You are acting like those issues don't exist, until you got caught that they do, then you shifted the goal post to its a non-issue because few people experience it. Which again isn't true, it is an issue, and most of those issues where caused by something wrong in the design process, like over heating.

Your key indication is only in your head, its a sign of frustration at the stubbornness of internet posters. Just like your experience (and mine) is not a reliable data set.

Yes design errors occur, yes engineers are ignored by executives and marketers. In fact most companies these days are run by marketers and not engineers, and marketing is vastly more important than engineering. Failures and class actions are taken into account and discarded as long as the sales metric favors the marketer, which they do.

The safe assumption is incompetence, or rather a different kind of competence (marketing and sales over design and engineering), acceptable failure rates and so on. If this study is correct, it was likely deemed an acceptable risk with an acceptable failure rate.
 
This is to be expected when you use computer hardware in a tight compartment for $500. It can be done but there are going to issues like this, due to cost cutting.
But then they did a complicated liquid metal cooling solution for the CPU. I think somehow the memory issue is perhaps cost-cutting but within normal or above normal operating parameters.
 
Long enough to own all previous Playstation consoles with zero issues other than fan noise, which seems Sony finally fixed on the PS5 as well. I had to fix it my myself on my PS4 Pro by replacing the thermal compound.
original PS2 had mad failure problems. had to buy a second one. and original PS3 ran hot as fire too and i beleive was a problem for people that kept them closed up in entertainment centers and what not. mine was ok because i let it breathe when i did use it but i was heavy into PC again at that point and hardly used mine and eventually sold it.
 
But then they did a complicated liquid metal cooling solution for the CPU. I think somehow the memory issue is perhaps cost-cutting but within normal or above normal operating parameters.
but liquid metal eventually dries up and has to be reapplied...?
 
I feel dumb for asking, but are we seeing GPU memory hit these kinds of temps normally and living a long life? I don't recall but Im only going off personal experience. I know VRMs dont do well at those temperatures for long.
 
I don't know who else watched the whole GN video, but they basically used a cheap steel plate (not even aluminum) with minimal contact to the RAM chips, some of where are nowhere near the cooling plate. They should have added another heatpipe for the RAM, or made the one cooling the VRMs larger or something. Really just seems like a lazy and cheap design.
 
I don't know who else watched the whole GN video, but they basically used a cheap steel plate (not even aluminum) with minimal contact to the RAM chips, some of where are nowhere near the cooling plate. They should have added another heatpipe for the RAM, or made the one cooling the VRMs larger or something. Really just seems like a lazy and cheap design.

All the more reason to wait for the first internal refresh!

I'm hoping all kinks will be ironed out by the time the God of War bundle is released.
 
Sounds like planned obsolescence to me Sony wants to sell you a new console in a few years. Try not to get excited most VRM components etc. are rated to 120 degrees C.
 
I don't know who else watched the whole GN video, but they basically used a cheap steel plate (not even aluminum) with minimal contact to the RAM chips, some of where are nowhere near the cooling plate. They should have added another heatpipe for the RAM, or made the one cooling the VRMs larger or something. Really just seems like a lazy and cheap design.

Given the cost of these consoles and the general concern over keeping console price low, it would be safe to assume that any corner that could be cut was to bring the price tag down.

Marketers making decisions over engineers.
 
This is what GN is expecting/predicting, but they haven’t actually seen any failures. It’s always possible the components are specifically made to work just fine with those temperatures. We’ll have to wait and see if failures start cropping up like they did with the RROD on the 360.
Yup, plenty of stuff works at that temp, like the Skull Canyon NUC.
 
Sounds like planned obsolescence to me Sony wants to sell you a new console in a few years. Try not to get excited most VRM components etc. are rated to 120 degrees C.
Isn't console money almost all after the sales with pass/licensing/marketplace and not on them ?

There so much pressure to achieve all that they do at that price point, that cost cutting corner prying it does not cause many issues is likely what is going on.
 
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Isn't console money almost all after the sell and not on them ?

There so much pressure to achieve all that they do at that price point, that cost cutting corner prying it does not cause many issues is likely what is going on.
Right now it is a loss leader but after a few years they will start making a profit on the systems.
 
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