PlayStation 5 Pro CFI-7121: Quieter, Cooler, and Smarter Power Use in 2025’s Refined Console

Sony’s mid-generation refresh of its flagship console has quietly taken another step forward. The new PlayStation 5 Pro CFI-7121 model, now rolling out across Europe, shows that even small hardware tweaks can bring meaningful refinements. Tech reviewer Austin Evans recently tore down the updated machine, uncovering changes that make the 2025 iteration subtly more efficient, lighter, and quieter – all without altering the console’s core performance profile.

In power efficiency tests using Astro’s Playroom and Gran Turismo 7, the CFI-7121 model demonstrated a 2–3% reduction in energy consumption compared to last year’s launch model. Even under heavy loads like ray-traced replays in Gran Turismo 7, where the GPU and CPU are fully taxed, the new hardware maintained stable thermals with less power draw. The result: slightly lower heat output and a noticeably quieter operation. Measurements showed roughly a 20% noise reduction, translating to about a 2-decibel difference. The fan’s altered pitch – deeper and smoother – makes the overall sound profile less intrusive during long play sessions.

Physically, the differences might seem minor but reflect Sony’s ongoing effort to refine production. The new fan is sourced from a different manufacturer, and a plastic fan grille replaces the previous metal one. The heat sink is lighter, suggesting subtle improvements in material efficiency, and some voltage management modules (VMMs) have been removed from the motherboard. Even the power supply has been revised – it’s a bit lighter, likely more efficient, and contributes to the total weight drop from 3103 grams to 3016 grams. Small changes, yes, but they add up to a more polished product overall.

Interestingly, the DualSense V3 controller revision is even more restrained. Aside from a few internal part adjustments and components sourced from alternate suppliers, the only visible change is the removal of the back microphone. This decision appears to be a manufacturing simplification aimed at reducing costs rather than altering functionality. Performance and feel remain identical, meaning gamers won’t lose any features – a rare bit of stability in an era where revisions often come with compromises.

While some might have hoped for more radical hardware changes, Sony’s approach here shows maturity. The company has learned that quiet evolution often brings the best user experience. The CFI-7121 doesn’t revolutionize the PS5 Pro – it perfects it. It’s more efficient, a little cooler, and a little quieter, yet still the same powerful console that defines Sony’s current generation.

And amid rising hardware costs, those incremental gains matter. A cooler, quieter, and more efficient machine may not spark headlines, but for gamers – especially those running marathons of Gran Turismo 7 or waiting for GTA 6 and Marvel’s Wolverine – it means a smoother experience. The next time you hear a PS5 running almost silently, it might just be the CFI-7121 quietly proving that small engineering wins can make a big difference.