Many details about thePlayStation 5console remain surprisingly unanswered despite the console launching in just over a month, partly due to Sony not having provided preview coverage to media outlets as of yet. A recentPS5preview event in which the Japanese media was invited to spend some hands-on time with the console should answer some of those questions, however. One big question does appear to be answered now, that being just how loud the PS5 is when it’s operating.
The online outlet Dengeki Online noted the topic of the PS5’s noise level in its preview coverage from Sony’s event. The reporter described playing bothAstro’s Playroom, the PS5 bundle-in game, as well asGodfallfor a period of one hour and forty-five minutes. They said not only was the console surprisingly cool after use, but that they didn’t notice any fan noise whatsoever. The PS5 apparently runs very quietly and cool.
RELATED:New PS5 Video Features Live Console, Controller, and Gameplay
This claim was repeated by Japanese outlet 4Gamer, which focused on the console’s structure and shape in its in-depth preview of the PS5. It describes how “the housing itself doubles as a fan case,” implying that its whole design is based around heat dispersion and airflow. 4Gamer says explicitly that it’s thePS5’s designthat “ensures quietness and cool performance.” They also repeated what Dengeki Online said, which was that even while playing games the expelled air from the PS5 was warm and “gentle.”
The noise of the PS5 is a topic going into the release of next-gen consoles specifically because it was an issue with the current generation. Both the launchPS4 and the PS4 Pro are well known to be very loud consoles, as well as being known to expel a lot of hot air. Considering the shape and size of these consoles, that’s not so surprising, but PlayStation fans have hoped for improvements the whole generation long.
The bigger idea to keep in mind is that, whilePS4 usersdid complain about the noise of the console, it was still hugely successful. The impact of the PS4 and PS4 Pro’s noise levels on sales is entirely questionable, and it’s unlikely that noise levels will play a factor in more than a few players' purchasing decisions for next-generation consoles.
At the very least, potentialPS5 pre-ordererswill be able to take this one issue off of their list of worries about the next-gen console. Further reporting will certainly be necessary, though, since the PS5 being reported on was for preview coverage only. Hopefully, Sony sets up the media with pre-launch hardware so the retail version of the PS5 can be confirmed as quiet, too.
ThePS5releases November 12.
MORE:PS5 and Xbox Series X AR Size Comparison Video Shows Sony’s Console
