Key Takeaways
1. The PS5 Slim may produce noticeable noise when under heavy load, especially the disc version, but the new CFI-2116 model is quieter.
2. The updated design includes a redesigned heatsink and new fans, aiming for a more silent gaming experience.
3. Noise testing showed the CFI-2116 PS5 Slim operating at low levels, reaching only 38.2 dB even under stress.
4. Improved cooling allows the fans to run slower, contributing to quieter operation, although coil whine issues remain uncertain.
5. The PS5 Slim and the new PS5 Pro both feature enhancements for better efficiency and come with a revised DualSense controller for less frequent charging.
Gamers might notice the PS5 Slim making noise from a distance when the console is working hard. For the disc version, which reads physical games, the sound can be even more pronounced. However, the new CFI-2116 European model has less storage, and a sound test indicates that it may operate more quietly.
Subtle Changes in Design
The updated PlayStation features slight modifications, including a redesigned heatsink. This change is inspired by the PS5 Pro, which could help reduce the risk of the notorious liquid metal leak. Teardowns have shown that Sony has also equipped the system with different PS5 fans. YouTuber Austin Evans noted that the console is getting closer to providing a silent gaming experience, but he didn’t measure the noise levels.
Comprehensive Noise Testing
Polish hardware modder modyfikator89 conducted a lengthy five-hour noise test on the CFI-2116 PS5 Slim. Positioned 30 cm away from the console, he recorded noise levels as low as 34.7 dB. Even under maximum stress, the reading only increased to 38.2 dB. He also observed that noise levels were lower when the console was set up vertically.
Sadly, modyfikator89 didn’t compare these results with those from previous consoles. Nevertheless, he referred to the latest PlayStation model as a “silent machine.” In a soundproof environment, he concluded that any fan noise becomes “virtually inaudible from 1 meter away.”
Improved Cooling and Efficiency
The enhanced cooling system in the console could be the reason behind its quieter operation. With better heat dissipation, the PS5 Slim’s fans don’t have to run as fast. However, it’s still uncertain whether coil whine is less of an issue with the CFI-2116 model. Components that vibrate, such as the power supply, can create a high-pitched sound that some gamers might be particularly sensitive to. Not every test will catch these frequencies.
Alongside its more budget-friendly counterpart, a new PS5 Pro has also received similar enhancements. The CFI-7121 version uses slightly less power, and testers have remarked that it is less distracting. In Europe, both systems come with a revised DualSense controller that may require less frequent charging.
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