Owners of older PlayStation 5 consoles are reporting severe overheating that forces the system to shut down after just 20 to 30 minutes of gameplay. This issue specifically targets the CFI-1116 model, a revision that uses liquid metal as its primary thermal interface material. The problem matters because it compromises the long-term reliability of a popular gaming device and requires technical intervention to fix.
Older consoles face shutdowns as thermal paste degrades and damages internal components
The root cause lies in the degradation of the liquid metal over time. Reports indicate the material can oxidize or become unevenly distributed, leading to a cracked or dried appearance on the processor. This degradation reduces thermal efficiency, causing the console to overheat rapidly during standard use.
Repair technicians have identified a specific failure mode involving the heatsink. Gallium within the liquid metal can diffuse into the copper heatsink if the protective nickel plating is compromised. One technician, Modyfikator89, described finding permanent scarring on the heatsink contact surface after cleaning crust-like residue from the area.
Fixing the issue involves replacing both the liquid metal and the thermal pads. Anecdotal reports from users suggest this repair restores normal operation and resolves the shutdown issues. However, the permanent scarring on the heatsink raises questions about whether fresh liquid metal should be reapplied or if a safer alternative like PTM7950 is preferable.
This incident does not establish a widespread defect across all CFI-1116 units, but it highlights a potential long-term wear issue for older revisions. Later PS5 models have implemented design changes to better control liquid metal distribution. Owners of affected consoles should monitor their system temperatures and consider professional repair if overheating occurs.
Source: NotebookCheck
