PlayStation5 - Liquid Metal or Graphene?

In this article we will discuss a delicate topic: thermal maintenance of the PlayStation 5.

If your PS5 turns off when it is very hot or under stress, it is possible that the Liquid Metal present between the main chip and the heatsink has degraded, oxidized or shifted. When this happens, heat is no longer transferred correctly to the heatsink and very hot areas can form, the so-called hot spots, which cause the console to shut down for safety.

The possible technical solutions are mainly two:

complete disassembly of the console, thorough cleaning, removal of oxide and restoration of Liquid Metal

complete disassembly of the console, thorough cleaning, removal of oxide and replacement of Liquid Metal with graphene pads, when the conditions of the surfaces allow it

It is important, however, to clarify one point immediately: not all consoles can be "saved" or converted to graphene.

The graphene pad works well only if the contact surfaces are still in good condition, that is, sufficiently smooth, regular and planar. If, on the other hand, Liquid Metal has already caused significant oxidation, corrosion or irregularities on the heatsink or on the surface of the main chip, you must first intervene to properly restore the surfaces.

In simple terms: between the chip and the heatsink there must be no dips, steps or damaged areas. Heat only passes well if the two surfaces rest uniformly.

Liquid Metal, being fluid, is able to compensate for micro-imperfections and small gaps between surfaces. The graphene pad, on the other hand, is a solid sheet with a defined thickness, normally around 0.1 mm. If the surfaces have been damaged and need to be reworked or flattened, the space between chip and heatsink can change. In that case the thickness of the graphene may no longer be sufficient to properly bridge the contact.

When this happens, the most correct choice is not to force the use of graphene, but to restore Liquid Metal, because technically it is the most suitable solution to compensate for that type of coupling between chip and heatsink.

Advantages and disadvantages of the two solutions

Liquid Metal

Advantages: it offers the best heat conduction. Being liquid, it does not work as a rigid "thickness", but fills the extremely thin space between the surface of the APU and the heatsink. For this reason, when applied correctly and on restored surfaces, it guarantees the best heat transfer.

Disadvantages: over time, especially on consoles used vertically, it can shift or distribute unevenly. When this happens, some areas are no longer cooled properly. Furthermore, if it remains in contact with surfaces in an irregular or degraded manner, it can contribute to the formation of oxide or worsen heat exchange.

Graphene Pad

Advantages: it is not liquid, so it cannot leak or shift over time. For this reason it is an interesting solution, especially for those who use the console vertically or want to reduce the risk that the thermal material changes position over the years. It also has a potentially very long lifespan, because it does not dry out and does not degrade like normal thermal paste.

Disadvantages: it conducts heat less effectively than Liquid Metal in this specific application, because it is a solid sheet and has a thickness. Although theoretically graphene can be extremely thin, in practice the pads usable for this type of work have a manageable thickness, normally around 100 micrometers, or 0.1 mm. This thickness is necessary to be able to handle and position it, but it also means that the contact between chip and heatsink must be very precise.

Graphene, therefore, is not a universal solution. If the surfaces are healthy and regular, it can be a valid alternative. If, on the other hand, the heatsink or chip die are already corroded, marked or no longer perfectly planar, the pad may not rest properly and may not transfer enough heat.

In these cases, after restoring the surfaces, the most correct technical solution remains Liquid Metal.

So, which one to choose?

It depends on the actual condition of your console.

If the console is still in good condition, with clean, regular surfaces and without significant corrosion, the graphene pad can be a good choice for those seeking a stable solution over time, especially if you use the PS5 vertically.

If, on the other hand, the console has already been working for a long time with displaced, oxidized or poorly distributed Liquid Metal, you must first check the condition of the heatsink and chip. If the surfaces are damaged or need to be restored, graphene may not be suitable. In that case the best solution is to restore Liquid Metal.

In general, a Liquid Metal renewal intervention can last several years, if performed correctly. The graphene pad, on the other hand, has a potentially much longer lifespan, but can result in slightly higher operating temperatures, roughly in the range of 5/10 degrees, depending on the condition of the console and the quality of the thermal contact.

For this reason, before choosing, it is always advisable to have the console checked: there is no universally better solution, there is the solution best suited to the actual conditions of your PlayStation 5.