So if this over engineering ends up causing a quiet game system then this is a win in my book.
It's a lot easier to optimize a system when you have roughly fixed inputs, and from what the Japanese YouTubers at the hands-on event said, it basically doesn't make enough noise to be distracting unless you're using it as a pillow.
The only thing that worked is liquid metal. I suspect it’s because it’s not susceptible to the pump out effect from repeated heating and cooling (and expansion contraction of the cooler). Since the cooler has a copper plate, liquid metal works on it (it melts aluminum so wouldn’t work on the normal PS4)
If you haven’t already, you should try applying liquid metal to the APU die. It’s night and day for me, keeps the console whisper quiet.
But good tip for anyone that may be waiting! I took my original PS4 launch day console apart and cleaned it all up and noticed an improvement, but I just used arctic silver.
I’m going to be gaming a lot more on mine, I’m not planning to get a new console for another 18–24 months when prices have come down and there are plenty of used games for sale.
Be very careful because it’s electrically conductive. Or use conformal coating/nail polish around the die of you don’t trust yourself.
Take a look: https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/thermal-paste-compariso... Difference between good paste and liquid metal is couple degrees. Between good paste and cheap paste much more.
I don't like the idea of liquid metal. Conductive liquid is the last substance I want in my electronic devices. Also, some metal alloys have rather unexpected properties: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mExi4NuLn9Y
My only other really big complaint about the PS4 is how terrible the battery life is on the DS4 controllers. I really hope that's also resolved with PS5 and it's new controller.