Sony has quietly released a new internal hardware revision for the PlayStation 5 Slim. Console technician @Modyficator89 on X posted a teardown of the Marvel's Wolverine Limited Edition Bundle, and the findings are interesting, to say the least. The update introduces a new "EDM-051" motherboard layout, redesigned to be simpler and easier to repair.
However, the most technical changes we see here focus directly on component and cooling efficiency. The new PS5 Slim appears to borrow a page from the PS5 Pro's book, as Sony has updated the liquid-metal cooling setup around the main APU die.
In short, the protective barrier exposes less surface area to the liquid metal, so it is better contained, reduces the chance of leaks, and keeps cooling closer to the processor. The new heatsink also uses a different construction and material than older versions.
There's still more to it. The new PS5 Slim also features a lower-cost, more optimized HDMI retimer chip, and an easier-to-replace CMOS battery. Following the layout used in the PS5 Pro, the EDM-051 board places the battery in an easily accessible location, meaning repairs should be a bit easier, as you won't have to take the whole system apart.
Silent hardware refreshes aren't anything new, as Nintendo did something similar when it revised the original Nintendo Switch, giving the newer version a noticeably better battery life than the original.
Story Q&A
Powered by TweakBot
From TweakTown's coverage of this story.
What thermal testing has been done on the revised PS5 Slim’s liquid-metal cooling under gaming loads?
How does the revised PS5 Slim liquid-metal barrier compare with the earlier layout in containing leaks?
How can technicians replace the CMOS battery on an EDM-051 PS5 Slim, and what disassembly is required?
How can owners tell whether their PS5 Slim has the EDM-051 motherboard?
Want something else? Ask TweakBot.
On top of that, the revised PS5 Slim units continue to ship with older instruction manuals that make no mention of the new battery placement or the updated internal layout.
