PS5 Liquid Metal or Thermal Paste: What Your PS5 and PS4 Use and When to Replace It
What thermal paste and liquid metal do
The console’s processor generates a lot of heat and passes it to a metal heatsink that the fan cools. Between the chip and the heatsink there are always microscopic gaps filled with air, and air is a very poor conductor of heat. Thermal paste or liquid metal fills those gaps so the heat can pass through properly.
When that material dries out, shifts or loses contact, the heat doesn’t escape as it should: the fan speeds up, the console gets noisier and, in serious cases, it shuts down to protect itself.
What does your console use?
| Console | Between the processor and the heatsink |
|---|---|
| PS5 (original, Slim and Pro) | Liquid metal, with a seal that keeps it in place |
| PS4, PS4 Slim and PS4 Pro | Thermal paste |
The PS5 also has thermal paste or thermal pads in other secondary points of the cooling system, but the key material, the one on the processor, is liquid metal.
Liquid metal vs thermal paste
- Heat conduction. Liquid metal, a gallium alloy, conducts heat far better than any paste. That is why Sony chose it for the PS5.
- It conducts electricity. If a drop escapes and touches components on the board, it can cause a short circuit. Ordinary thermal paste does not conduct electricity.
- Application. Paste is relatively easy to apply. Liquid metal requires fully cleaning off the old material, applying exactly the right amount and resealing the area.
- Over time. Paste dries out and cracks; liquid metal can shift or lose coverage over the chip with heat and years of use.
How often should you replace it?
There is no official interval. Rather than counting months, look out for these signs:
- The fan is much louder than before, even in the menu or with undemanding games.
- The top of the console gets hotter than normal.
- Performance drops in games that used to run well.
- The console shuts down on its own during play.
If you notice any of these and the console has several years of heavy use, it’s worth having it checked. If it shuts down on its own, don’t ignore it: see what to do if your PS5 shuts down on its own.
Can you replace the PS5’s liquid metal with thermal paste?
You can, but it isn’t recommended: paste conducts heat less well, so the console will run hotter than with the factory liquid metal, especially in demanding games. The usual approach is to replace degraded liquid metal with new liquid metal, using the right process.
Can I do it myself at home?
With a PS4’s thermal paste it is possible if you have experience taking consoles apart. With the PS5’s liquid metal we don’t recommend it: you have to dismantle almost the whole console, remove the old metal without spilling it, apply the new metal in the exact amount and reseal. One mistake can damage the board.
What we do in our workshop
At our workshop in Alcobendas (Madrid) we carry out the PS5 liquid metal replacement and, if your console isn’t giving you problems yet, the PS5 preventive maintenance. For PS4 there is the PS4 thermal paste replacement and the PS4 maintenance. All with a no-obligation quote and a 3-month warranty.
Frequently asked questions
What liquid metal does the PS5 use?
A gallium-based alloy, liquid at room temperature, like the liquid metal thermal compounds used in high-performance computers.
Does cleaning the dust on the outside help?
It helps air circulate, but it doesn’t fix degraded liquid metal or thermal paste, which are inside, between the chip and the heatsink.
Does opening the console void the warranty?
If your console is still under the manufacturer’s warranty, check first with Sony or the shop where you bought it.
Does the PS4 Pro use liquid metal?
No. All PS4 consoles, including the Pro, use thermal paste.
PlayStation, PS5 and PS4 are registered trademarks of Sony Interactive Entertainment. Tigernicks is not affiliated with or sponsored by Sony.
