Though the next generation of consoles is very close to reality, companies are still holding details very close to the vest ahead of this Holiday season. There have been quite a few details divulged about Sony’s PlayStation 5, but plenty more tidbits are seemingly being saved for future announcements – including when it comes to the internal hardware. While fans wait for the inevitable full-console teardown, a recently-surfaced Sony patent suggests the PlayStation 5 may actually utilize an interesting method of cooling: liquid metal.

The patent itself (via Prima Games) makes reference to a means of improving cooling for the PS5 and enhancing the efficiency of the hardware’s “semiconductor equipment.” According to an English translation of the document, a housing of alloys (silver, copper, etc.) is said to sit “between the semiconductor chip and the radiator,” liquefying as the console heats up during regular operation. This amorphic form of metal is intended to lower “thermal resistance” between the two components, offering more “improved” and consistent cooling performance than the grease or thermal paste commonly used in PCs and past PlayStation consoles.

Holy Shi* #PlayStation5
It’s #LiquidMetal cooling revealed in the new patent registered 2019 (unlocked this week). Will be reading more here: https://t.co/eGSVbotcD4 pic.twitter.com/Gs79JWn0hC

— Æ⁷ (@69iice) August 14, 2020

While this application of liquid metal isn’t as straightforward as PC water-cooling (not to mention the mimetic polyalloy of the T-1000 Terminator), it does seem to be an interesting thermal paste alternative. Although this patent doesn’t outright confirm the feature for PlayStation 5, Sony has hinted the console will employ a substantial cooling method in the past. Mark Cerny’s memorable spec event back in March suggested a number of improvements over previous iterations – especially in terms of processing power and cooling. In addition to the potential of liquid metal technology, the PS5 also takes airflow into consideration with its striking fin-shaped design.

The PlayStation 5 is scheduled to release sometime in Holiday 2020.

What do you think? Are you excited about the possibilities of liquid metal cooling in the PlayStation 5, or has the murderous T-1000 from the Terminator movies effectively ruined the technology for you? Let us know in the comments below and be sure to follow Don’t Feed the Gamers on Twitter and Facebook to be informed of the latest gaming and entertainment news 24 hours a day! For more headlines recently featured on DFTG, check out these next few news stories:

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