PS5 could trounce the Xbox Series X on cooling — here's why

xbox series x gameplay reveal
(Image credit: Microsoft)

We don’t have long to wait until the release of the Xbox Series X and PS5, when the general public will be able to experience what both consoles have to offer. But some key information is already out there, thanks to journalists who’ve spent time with them.

Earlier this week Japanese press posted the first hands-on impressions of the PS5, noting how quiet and cool-running the console was. Unfortunately that doesn’t appear to be a feature that’s translating over to the Xbox Series X.

In a video that now seems to have been deleted, Jeux Video’s Ken Bogard praised how the silent running of the Xbox Series X’s cooling system, but still noted the console still emitted a lot of heat. 

“The Series X is hot, like really hot! It doesn’t make any noise, but damn it’s hot! The console is emitting heat like crazy. It’s almost like a fireplace shaft," he said (translated by VGC). "You can heat up your apartment with it.”

Interestingly Bogard said he doesn’t have access to any Xbox Series X games, so the heat was produced as he played backwards compatible titles and browsed the navigation menus.

Giant Bomb co-Host Jeff Bakalar also confirmed the heat, even when in standby mode, and commented on how the console’s storage expansion card was “on fire” and asking why it was so hot.

“Here’s what’s crazy… this was just plugged in in standby mode behind me and you guys, the entire thing is a little toasty," said Bakalr. “It seems like in the way like a lot of the other consoles were doing stuff while you were not using them, it seems like this thing might be doing something while you’re not using it, to the point where it needs to exhaust heat.”

Bakalar and his co-host both emphasised that this is pre-release hardware, so things might change by release day. That said they noted the Xbox One X can still pump out a noticeable amount of heat when it’s in standby mode.

The Verge's Tom Warren, who also had hands-on time with the Xbox Series X tweeted that he very much doubts Microsoft would have sent out a console with a cooling problem. But he said that due to embargos, he couldn't really go into further detail with his experience with the console and its heat dissipation. 

See more

Of course things may change once people are able to use next-gen games with the Series X. While the consensus seems to be that the fans are incredibly quiet when playing older games, things may not stay that way once the console’s hardware is being pushed even more. 

Obviously what we’ve heard so far suggests that the PS5 doesn’t have this problem; it appears to have some serious venting all around its chassis. While things will no doubt change as more people get to playing PS5 games on the console, for now heat could be one thing it has the Xbox beaten on.

Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

  • d0x360
    I'll put down money that this article ends up having it backwards when people are actually playing next gen games. I don't care if my console gets warm if it's basically silent. The x1x gets warm but it's SILENT and on the other hand my pro gets hot and is noisy as all hell and so was my ps4.

    So my bet it the ps5 gets hot and noisy when playing ps5 games and the Xbox series x will stay the same temp a few (and it's only a few out of like a hundred) when playing next gen games but it will remain silent.

    Just looking at the way the hardware is laid out in the Xbox and how it handles cooling is the basis of my guess. Since sony is being coy with allowing lots of people to use preview hardware unlike Microsoft it's hard to say but I do know the ps5 doesn't have the split motherboard design which would make cooling quietly more difficult.

    Either way if they both make noise then...it is what it is. The Xbox is essentially like a PC with a 2080ti and the ps5 is essentially the same but with a 2060 super.
    Reply