Though quickly disproven, a significant worry about the initial PlayStation 5 was whether the liquid metal thermal interface material (TIM) would leak if the console was positioned vertically. Nonetheless, problems like dry spots forming due to contamination from the adhesive in the foam seal or oxidation of the liquid metal itself are not uncommon.
New Design Improvements
It appears that the new PS5 Pro addresses these concerns with its innovative grooved heatsink design. Steve Porter from TronicsFix shared a teardown video of the PS5 Pro on YouTube, showcasing the console equipped with this updated heatsink.
While this issue wasn’t widespread, many older PS5s in vertical orientation experienced oxidation spots because the liquid metal settled at the bottom of the die. This situation required users to take apart the console, clear the oxidation, and reapply the liquid metal to restore its thermal efficiency.
Enhanced Heat Management
For the PS5 Pro, Sony has introduced a heatsink with precisely machined grooves that are intended to keep the liquid metal securely in place, avoiding any sinking or leakage. Steve highlights that these grooves also expand the surface area, which could theoretically lead to improved heat dissipation and cooling performance. He notes that although some liquid metal is found outside of the grooved sections, the bulk of the TIM remains contained within.
To verify if the grooved heatsink effectively holds the liquid metal, Steve dropped the PS5 Pro from a few inches above his desk multiple times before taking it apart again. Upon inspection, the grooves indeed appeared to stop the liquid metal from leaking.
Future Observations Needed
However, this is by no means a scientific experiment, and only time will reveal if PS5 Pro users experience any oxidation or sinking of the liquid metal.
Source: Link
