Sony pulled off a stealth upgrade that nobody saw coming. The latest PlayStation 5 Slim revision (model CFI-2116) now features the same grooved heatsink design from the PS5 Pro, completely eliminating the liquid metal leak problem that haunted earlier PS5 models since 2020. Console modder Modyfikator89 discovered this change in late November 2025, calling it “the MOST important hardware update of the year” – and he might actually be right.
The Liquid Metal Nightmare
Since the PS5’s launch in November 2020, a persistent issue has plagued thousands of consoles worldwide – liquid metal thermal compound leaking from the processor. Sony uses liquid metal instead of traditional thermal paste because it transfers heat more efficiently, keeping the powerful AMD chip cool during intensive gaming sessions. The problem is that liquid metal is, well, liquid. When consoles were stored vertically or moved frequently, gravity and movement caused the metal to leak away from the APU (Accelerated Processing Unit).
This leakage created multiple problems. First, the processor loses proper thermal contact with the heatsink, causing temperatures to spike. Fans spin faster and louder trying to compensate. Performance drops as the system throttles itself to avoid overheating. In extreme cases, liquid metal would drip onto nearby components and short them out, bricking the entire console. Repair shops documented hundreds of these failures, and YouTube teardown videos showed dried-out APUs with liquid metal pooled in places it shouldn’t be.
iFixit even published official guides on how to disassemble your PS5 and replace the liquid metal yourself, though doing so voids your warranty. The fact that a major repair authority felt compelled to create this content demonstrates how widespread and serious the issue became. Reddit threads from 2023 are filled with users reporting glitching, crashes, and complete system failures traced back to liquid metal migration.
How the PS5 Pro Solved It
When Sony designed the PS5 Pro, they completely redesigned the heatsink with grooves cut into the metal surface. These grooves create a capillary effect that holds the liquid metal in place through surface tension. Think of it like how water clings to the sides of a narrow tube even when you tip it sideways. The liquid metal spreads evenly across the grooved surface and stays there, regardless of console orientation or movement.
About a year ago, console enthusiasts tore down the PS5 Pro and discovered this innovative heatsink design. Reviews praised the Pro’s superior cooling performance and complete absence of the thermal degradation issues that plagued earlier models. The grooved heatsink represented a genuine engineering improvement that justified at least part of the Pro’s premium price tag. Nobody expected Sony to backport this expensive design change to cheaper models.
The Silent Revision
Sony never announced this upgrade. No press release, no blog post, no mention in any official communication. They simply started manufacturing PS5 Slim consoles with the new heatsink and shipping them to retailers. Console modder and repair specialist Modyfikator89 noticed the change when he opened up a brand new CFI-2116 unit purchased in late November 2025. Side-by-side photos comparing the 2023 Slim heatsink to the 2025 version show a dramatic difference.
The new heatsink features the same grooved pattern as the PS5 Pro, optimized for maximum heat dissipation while maintaining full reliability. According to Modyfikator89, the upgraded cooling system delivers three major benefits – better thermal performance, improved long-term stability, and complete elimination of the metal leak issue that affected both the original PS5 and the earlier CFI-2016 Slim model from 2023.
Model numbers matter here. If you’re buying a PS5 Slim, look for CFI-2116 on the box. Earlier revisions like CFI-2015 or CFI-2016 still use the old heatsink design and remain vulnerable to liquid metal problems. The CFI-2100 and CFI-2200 models also received this upgrade, covering both disc and digital editions. Sony didn’t change the external appearance or packaging, making it impossible to tell which cooling system you’re getting without checking the specific model number.
Bonus Feature – No More Disc Drive Pairing
The CFI-2116 revision includes another quality-of-life improvement that Sony also failed to announce. Earlier PS5 Slim models with detachable disc drives required an internet connection during first setup to pair the drive with the console. This DRM measure frustrated customers who bought disc editions specifically to avoid internet requirements, only to discover they couldn’t use the drive without going online once.
The new CFI-2116 models ship with disc drives pre-paired to the console at the factory, eliminating this unnecessary online activation step. You can now set up your PS5 Slim completely offline if you choose, which is how physical media should work. This change suggests Sony listened to consumer complaints and adjusted their manufacturing process accordingly, even if they won’t publicly admit they were wrong to implement the requirement in the first place.
Why This Matters Long-Term
The PlayStation 5’s successor likely won’t arrive until 2028 or 2029, meaning the current generation still has three to four years of active life remaining. Improving the reliability and longevity of hardware that will be in service for nearly a decade makes enormous business sense. Warranty claims and repairs cost Sony money. Console failures damage brand reputation. Players who experience hardware problems become less likely to purchase Sony’s next console.
From a consumer perspective, buying a PS5 in late 2025 or beyond means getting a genuinely better product than early adopters received in 2020. The refined cooling system, eliminated disc drive pairing requirement, and years of firmware improvements make the 2025 PS5 Slim the most stable and reliable version Sony has ever produced. Early adopters took the risk and dealt with the problems. Late buyers reap the rewards of all those engineering refinements.
Modyfikator89’s assessment that this represents “a huge engineering victory” isn’t hyperbole. Sony identified a fundamental design flaw that caused real failures, engineered an elegant solution for their premium console, then backported that fix to mainstream models without increasing the price. In an industry that constantly cuts costs and corners, this represents Sony actually investing in product quality even when they could have gotten away with doing nothing.
Should You Upgrade or Wait
If you own a PS5 from 2020-2023 that’s working fine, there’s no urgent reason to upgrade just for the new heatsink. Not every console suffers liquid metal leaks – many early units continue operating perfectly. However, if you’re experiencing increased fan noise, performance drops, or thermal warnings, the liquid metal might be failing and a repair or replacement could be worth considering.
For anyone buying their first PS5 or considering an upgrade from PS4, the CFI-2116 Slim now offers the best value proposition in Sony’s lineup. You get the refined cooling system from the Pro, 1TB storage, a $400-450 price point, and the option to add a disc drive later if needed. Unless you specifically want the Pro’s enhanced GPU performance for games that support it, the upgraded Slim delivers excellent reliability and performance for significantly less money.
The PS5 Pro remains the performance champion with its 67% more GPU compute units, 45% faster rendering, PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution upscaling, and 2TB storage. Those upgrades justify the $700 price tag for enthusiasts who want the absolute best PlayStation experience. But for most players, the quietly upgraded Slim with Pro-level cooling provides everything necessary for fantastic gaming at a much more accessible price.
FAQs
What PS5 Slim model has the upgraded cooling system?
Model CFI-2116 features the new PS5 Pro-style grooved heatsink. The CFI-2100 and CFI-2200 models also received this upgrade. Check the model number on the box before purchasing – earlier revisions like CFI-2015 and CFI-2016 still use the old design.
Does the new PS5 Slim fix the liquid metal leak problem?
Yes. The grooved heatsink design uses capillary action to keep liquid metal in place, eliminating the leakage issues that plagued earlier PS5 models since 2020. The upgrade provides better thermals and improved long-term stability.
Did Sony announce this hardware upgrade?
No. Sony made these changes silently without any press release or official announcement. Console modder Modyfikator89 discovered the upgrade by opening a new CFI-2116 unit in late November 2025.
Can I tell from the outside if a PS5 Slim has the new cooling?
No external differences exist. You must check the model number CFI-2116 on the packaging. The console looks identical to earlier Slim models from the outside.
Does this upgrade affect performance?
Not directly. The CPU and GPU specifications remain unchanged. However, better cooling allows the system to maintain peak performance more consistently without thermal throttling, and improves reliability over the console’s lifespan.
Should I replace my old PS5 with a new Slim?
Only if you’re experiencing thermal issues or want improved reliability. If your current PS5 works fine, there’s no urgent need to upgrade just for the new heatsink. Many early consoles continue operating perfectly.
What other changes does the CFI-2116 have?
The new model eliminates the internet connection requirement for disc drive pairing. Drives now come pre-paired at the factory, allowing completely offline setup for the first time.
Is the PS5 Pro cooling system exactly the same?
The grooved heatsink design is the same concept, optimized for each console’s specific thermal requirements. Both use capillary action to prevent liquid metal migration.
Will Sony retrofit old consoles with this heatsink?
No. This is a manufacturing change for new units only. Owners of older models experiencing liquid metal issues can seek repairs at service centers or attempt DIY replacement, though that voids warranty.
Conclusion
Sony’s silent hardware upgrade to the PS5 Slim represents exactly the kind of continuous improvement that benefits consumers but rarely makes headlines. By backporting the PS5 Pro’s superior cooling design to mainstream models without raising prices or making a marketing spectacle, Sony prioritized product quality over publicity. The elimination of the liquid metal leak issue that plagued consoles for years removes a legitimate concern that kept some potential buyers on the sidelines. If you’re shopping for a PS5 in late 2025 or 2026, make sure you’re getting a CFI-2116 model. It might look identical to earlier Slims on store shelves, but under the hood you’re getting a genuinely better console that should provide reliable gaming for the entire remaining generation and beyond. Sometimes the best upgrades are the ones companies make because they care about product quality, not because they need a press release.