PS5 Pro Runs for Over a Year Without Its Shell, Cooled Only by a Box and a Fan

A PlayStation 5 Pro console is running without its original plastic shell, and it has survived over a year of daily use. This setup matters because replacement chassis parts cost nearly $200 in the US, making the bare-console approach an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers who want to avoid that expense. The user places the internal components in a cardboard box and cools them with a large floor fan blowing air directly into the enclosure.

DIY cardboard box and external fan setup survives daily VR use

The hardware configuration involves a significant departure from standard console design. The system relies on an external fan for thermal management while keeping the internal fan plugged in only to prevent system errors. This DIY cooling method allows the bare circuitry to operate without the protective and thermal properties of the original casing.

The user acquired the bare components for $100 after a customer returned an empty shell to Walmart for a refund based on a genuine serial number. Replacement PS5 Pro shells are rarely sold separately, which drives the high aftermarket price and motivates the decision to run the console naked. The internal fan remains connected to the motherboard to satisfy hardware checks, even though it does not contribute to cooling.

The console has reportedly run for over one year without failure, including daily use with a PSVR2 headset. A pawn shop owner who witnessed the setup noted the longevity of the mod, stating he offered $100 to keep it for himself rather than sell it. This durability suggests that the cardboard box and external fan method can sustain the PS5 Pro's thermal load under heavy VR workloads.

This bare-console experiment highlights the high cost of official replacement parts for the PS5 Pro. When we covered the last PS5 Pro update, several of the same balance and stability themes came up in community discussions about hardware longevity. The current setup proves that the internal components can function reliably outside their intended enclosure for extended periods.

Source: TweakTown