Tiny PS5 Redux shrinks the PlayStation 5 and cools it better

The PlayStation 5 just got a radical small form factor makeover, and it is not from Sony. YouTuber Not From Concentrate has unveiled Tiny PS5 Redux, a compact, aluminum bodied reinterpretation of the console that pares down the footprint without stripping away the experience.

Unlike many novelty builds, this second generation project targets real world usability, better thermals, and clean access to every essential port and button. The result is a mod that looks like a precision made desktop component and behaves like a full featured PS5, only easier to carry and surprisingly cooler under load.

Why Redux matters

The original Tiny PS5 prototype drew attention by shrinking the standard chassis by roughly sixty percent. It proved the concept but revealed two pain points common to aggressive downsizing: power delivery stability and temperature headroom. In heavy sessions the first build ran warmer than a stock console, and power behavior could waver. Tiny PS5 Redux tackles both issues head on, trading acrylic vibes for a rigid aluminum frame and reorganizing airflow to move far more heat with far less drama.

Design that shows its work

The new enclosure is an expertly machined aluminum body with a clear sightline into the console internals. It keeps the original PS5 logic board and heatsink plates, then wraps them in a compact structure that preserves day to day convenience. All USB ports remain reachable, the power and if you own the disc edition the eject buttons are exposed, and a sturdy integrated handle turns the whole unit into a grab and go console for LAN nights or a living room that refuses to surrender shelf space. The aesthetic lands somewhere between boutique SFF PC and industrial prototype, which is exactly its charm.

Cooling, reengineered

Airflow is where Redux earns its name. The build pairs the stock heatsink plates with an Alpenföhn Black Ridge low profile CPU cooler, then adds two slim 120 mm Noctua fans in a push pull arrangement over the fin stack. Push pull means one fan forces cool air through the fins while the second immediately draws it out, minimizing pressure drop and keeping the thermal gradient steep. Three additional 60 mm Noctua units exhaust through the handle channel, turning an ergonomic feature into a purposeful chimney. The aluminum shell acts as a passive heat spreader, smoothing spikes and giving the fans an easier job.

Measured results in real play

Numbers back up the design. In testing with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Tiny PS5 Redux averaged roughly 56 °C during gameplay, a few degrees cooler than a standard PlayStation 5 measured around 59 °C in similar conditions. That margin might sound small, but for silicon running flat out it translates to steadier boost behavior and more consistent acoustics over long sessions. The use of Noctua hardware, known for low tonal noise, helps ensure the cooling uplift does not trade silence for speed.

Power delivery and reliability

The earlier instability concerns have been addressed with a cleaner internal layout and improved component clearances. Cable runs are shortened, airflow paths are unobstructed, and the aluminum frame resists flex that can stress connectors during transport. It is still a mod, not an official product, but it is engineered with daily use in mind rather than just a dramatic YouTube thumbnail.

Ports, features, and practicality

Functionally, you are not giving up anything fundamental. USB access is intact for charging controllers and plugging in storage, and the front button array remains reachable. The handle sounds trivial until you carry the console between rooms or to a friend, where it becomes the difference between a careful two handed lift and a confident grab. Windowed panels provide a clear look at the neatly routed internals, turning the system into a conversation piece instead of something you hide in a cabinet.

For builders, a guide exists

If your PS5 hardware matches the donor configuration used in the project, Not From Concentrate has published a fully illustrated, step by step guide that documents the case design, the fan layout, and the assembly process. Expect typical mod caveats: opening a console risks the warranty, static discipline matters, and you should budget extra time for cable management and testing. The guide lowers the barrier to entry without removing the need for patience and careful hands.

Other creative takes

The Redux effort is not the only imaginative spin on Sony hardware. Another modder recently demonstrated a portable oriented interpretation of the system, effectively reframing the console as a carryable unit for on the go play. Both projects highlight a broader trend in the community: the PS5 platform is mature enough that enthusiasts are comfortable bending it into new shapes, from compact desktops to quasi handhelds, while keeping the software experience intact.

Who should consider it

Tiny PS5 Redux is a fit for players who crave small form factor gear, enjoy the craft of builds, and want cooler than stock behavior without resorting to exotic liquid loops. If you like the idea of a living room stack with less clutter, or you often pack your console for trips, this design earns a look. It is an enthusiast project first, but it treats thermals, acoustics, and port access like first class requirements rather than afterthoughts, which is what turns a cool idea into a credible daily driver.

In short, Redux takes the promise of the original tiny build and finishes the job. Smaller, sturdier, easier to move, and cooler under load, it shows what careful thermal design and thoughtful casework can do for a mainstream console.