The PlayStation 5 is now launched and reviewers have had extended time with next-generation console. That's allowed for a variety of testing, as well as plenty of standard use impressions of the PS5. Generally speaking, the PS5 has held up well. It's both cool to the touch and much quieter than the PS4. However, a new deep-dive heating test has discovered potentially a worrying heating issue. High-temperature memory readings could even imply long-term problems for the PS5.

Test results come from Gamers Nexus. The outlet opened up a retail PS5 and tested thermals, power, and noise. Power and noise both returned good results, but some thermal measurements were worrying. Specifically, a thermal measurement on one of the PS5's memory units was way above expectations. It was so high that Gamers Nexus felt comfortable saying that there was the potential for short-term "memory abnormalities and artifacting behavior" as well as long-term "downsides."

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Gamers Nexus tested two different memory units in the PS5. The first came in at about 65-70 degrees Celsius compared to a 22-24-degree ambient temperature. The second memory unit was significantly higher, measured between 90-95 degrees Celsius. Gamers Nexus says that if the PS5 was running in a hotter ambient environment, it would have the "memory running right up against the thermal limits." That would be 30-35 degrees Celcius or 85-95 degrees Fahrenheit ambient temperature.

In its conclusion, Gamers Nexus uses language that acknowledges the issue but doesn't go so far as stirring up any controversy. The temperature measured on the PS5's memory is described as "higher than we'd like to see" and that Gamer's Nexus is "uncomfortable with the temperature that the memory is running." Further, the outlet says that Sony is "heavily lacking in its design" with regards to the PS5 cooling arrangement.

Rather than focus on the risks involved with the PS5's solution, however, Gamers Nexus focuses on the ways in which Sony might be able to improve on the console's design. That doesn't necessarily help PS5 owners who already have their consoles, however, and it leaves a lot of lingering questions about what could happen to these PS5's over time. Commenters in the Gamers Nexus community are notably worried that, if these measurements are accurate, there could be PS5 hardware failures in the long-term.

Sony has almost certainly done rigorous testing of its own and understands the PS5's thermals in every detail. As such, there must be relatively few explanations for the memory temperatures. First, Sony perhaps understands that it's running hot, but has decided that it's fine. It may lead to PS5 hardware failures over time, but perhaps only at an acceptable rate to Sony. One other possibility is that Sony is letting it run hot at launch to keep fan noise down, but will adjust the PS5's fan to work harder over time. Regardless, it's something worth paying attention to in the months and years to come.

The PS5 is available now.

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