New PS3 Boasts Smaller, Cooler RSX Graphics Chip
See Full ImageOver the years, Sony has worked to make the PlayStation 3 more efficient and cheaper to both produce and purchase. And it seems like yet another step has already been made.
As reported by Engadget and confirmed by PocketNews, the system that once cost Sony over $800 to make (a loss of between $241 and $307 per sold console back in 2006), is getting another internal overhaul. PocketNews cracked open the new PS3 SKU - CECH-2100A, which hit the FCC in February - and they found a new and improved RSX graphics chip "based on smaller 40-nm processes similar to the PS3 Slim's new 45-nm Cell processor." The result? A 15% decrease in power consumption in comparison to the 120GB Slim that boasts a 65-nm RSX. This cooler chip "allows for a stealthier heat sink and power supply in addition to a smaller cooling unit," and thus, it's cheaper for Sony to produce. Of course, the question is whether or not this will lead to another price cut for consumers, but that isn't likely to happen. Sony wants to turn a profit here and if you hadn't noticed, the PS3 is selling pretty damn well at its current price point. Haven't you seen the NPD numbers recently?
But at least it means Sony's financials will look even better in the future. Right now, $299 for one of the best Blu-Ray players on the market, free online everything, the best exclusives on earth, and excellent reliability is a darn good deal.
4/26/2010 12:09:02 PM Ben Dutka
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Comments (80 posts)
Kain81
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:09:51 PM
here is an other link with rumors about a
PS3 Super Slim
http://www.n4g.com/ps3/News-500664.aspx
Last edited by Kain81 on 4/26/2010 1:10:04 PM
0 up, 0 down
NoSmokingBandit
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 5:31:52 PM
Everyone should be happy about a 32nm Cell, but i doubt they'll want to spend tons on R&D to make another ps3 slim quite yet.
0 up, 0 down
shadowpal2
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:01:07 PM
Sony better not do a whole Apple thing with the PS3...I realize that Sony are already doing that with the PSP...when the PSP 2000 came out the year before the PSP 3000 which came out the year before the PSP GO came out. And now what...PSP 2?!?!?
Well I really can't blame Sony - they've lost money due to the previously high price of the PS3 and the recession last year. But now with the $299 PS3 being advertised by the genius Kevin Butler, and Sony mass-marketing the hell out of the PSP by just creating new versions with little add-ons...they should climb back up steadily.
Gran Turismo 5 should help and not to mention: Killzone 3, Resistance 3 (they should still go with it), Uncharted 3 (WHY THE **** NOT?!), and so on...
So I can't blame them...besides being an innovator...they are also a business.
Last edited by shadowpal2 on 4/26/2010 8:02:34 PM
4 up, 0 down
Dancemachine55
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:32:32 PM
Smaller price, runs cooler and no confusion over model types since they all look the same.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:58:41 PM
Still I would bet against a new slimmer model until Autumn 2011. That will be 5 years after the original launch. When the Cell drops to 32nm and the RSX joins it at that level of geometry, I think you'll see a final shrink of the PS3 case to a super slim size. Based on the usual time taken to shrink it should be 2011 when that happens. After that the next step is logically a PS4.
4 up, 0 down
Taha1
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:34:32 PM
Reply
it was a couple of years back but not any more.
but for me it is. I can't (really) tell the difference between a top-end Blu-ray player and the PS3. Plus the PS3 has easy FW updates and 3d coming and of course it's a PS3! So I guess you could say it's one of (if not) the best based on that :P
Last edited by Taha1 on 4/26/2010 12:35:14 PM
2 up, 35 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:00:17 PM
29 up, 2 down
Taha1
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:07:07 PM
sorry :$
btw do you know where i can find the survey, or is it not online.
not that i don't believe you, i just think it would be a good read:P
2 up, 0 down
Alienange
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:51:26 PM
13 up, 1 down
iwillbetheone
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:47:22 PM
http://www.thinkdigit.com/Gaming/Mandatory-firmware-update-to-bring-3D-gaming_4485.html
0 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:19:43 PM
5 up, 4 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 11:08:59 PM
PS3 will play BluRay in 3D, it's not in the most recent update though.
When PS3 plays 3D BluRay it has to do something that HDMI 1.3 wasn't designed to do. the data rate for 3D in 1080p is too high for the 1.3 interface. Because of this the PS3 will actually display 3D BluRay at a lower resolution. I can't remember precisely what resolution it will be, it was said to be 540p. If you look at all the 3d capable BluRay players and TVs they use HDMI 1.4. Sony can't exactly update all PS3s to HDMI 1.4 via firmware, so they have to come up with a compromise for the PS3 - lower resolution in 3D over HDMI 1.3.
2 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:19:22 PM
http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/Industry_Trends/HDMI/3D/HDMI_1.3_Will_Support_3D_After_All/4002
0 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:49:04 PM
Reply
22 up, 0 down
Darth Koth
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:00:04 PM
Reply
well that was a pointless post, first ben is wrong then you give reasons as to why its one of the best and do a U-turn, crazy.
it will always be one of the best, just because others have caught up and now have upgrade-able FW doesn't make the PS3 any less of a BD player than it was before, it would be like saying just cos Im married other women are no longer attractive
14 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:23:50 PM
It's highly likely that new high-end blu-ray players are better, much better, than a few years ago.
Or, to prove my point beyond the very obvious: Once upon a time the Intel 386 processor were able to give the best gaming performances possible. The 386 is no longer one of the best.
Last edited by Beamboom on 4/26/2010 1:27:23 PM
1 up, 6 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:41:15 PM
0 up, 1 down
erislocker
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:01:20 PM
Reply
i paid $600 and mine is fairly unreliable. i don't think it's justified that i have to buy a new one.
so i will disagree with the reliability point. We, launch model(ers) should count, and I'm sure I'm not the only one that cringes whenever the damn fan goes on SUPER loud...
3 up, 12 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:08:11 PM
Sorry but that seems a bit harsh. 360's have over a 50% failure rating, 10-20% for over 30 million units seems pretty reliable to me.
16 up, 1 down
erislocker
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:27:35 PM
however! after receiving a new (refurbished) model (and paying $150) the fan still goes on mega loud (ps3 is placed vertically for optimal cooling) scaring the bejeezus out of me...
yay for backups, but yea. if you count all the people with launch models, and include their failure rate, i think it's fair to say that the ps3 may be super reliable now, but at the beginning it kind of screwed all the bandwagon hoppers since their launch model didn't last more than 2 yrs (and that with a 1 yr warranty, and a 3 month warranty after getting back a refurbished model...).
yes, I'd say it's at the very least, not as reliable, as you claim it to be...
oh and, 10% of 30 million is still 3 million people...
that means, 3 million units have died and become part of the unreliable %...
one should not compare to the worst, but the best. anybody know statistics of computers?
Last edited by erislocker on 4/26/2010 1:29:33 PM
3 up, 7 down
FullmetalX10
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:48:38 PM
Hope it doesn't fail on me anytime soon, make that anytime ever. It won't, I have faith in my loved ones.
10 up, 0 down
johnld
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:51:35 PM
2 up, 0 down
FlyingKickPunch
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:55:24 PM
but i have a question, can i just put my 500GB hard drive that i have in the fat into the slim with no problem? meaning, i wont have to reformat, or have to re-download all my PSN games, or lose all my saved games? that makes me nervy.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:05:28 PM
One thing you need to do from now on just to keep from having another YLOD's in the future, is to sit your PS3 horizontally, & never sit it up Vertically.
The main reason????
If your PS3 overheats, it can melt the solder causing it to run down the motherboard and short out everything else it touches on the way down too.
FYI, If you want more air around it, just do like I did with my old phat 60gigger.
I have it sitting flat above my top shelf & put 4 small blocks under it's feet which raised it 4 inches off off the shelf top.
So now, it not only gets 360 degrees of air all around it, it also has an extra source of air circulating underneath it too.
BTW, DON'T use canned air to clean the vents, because you're just blowing all that same dust "INTO" the PS3.
Instead, use a vacuum with the brush attachment to suck the dust "OUT & AWAY" from the vents.
I also do my vent cleaning routine every 2 weeks, whether I used my console a lot, or not.
And I've only had 1 PS3 start to go bad on me(disc drive began screeching & GS replaced it).
So I believe it's because my extra due diligence above, that I've never had any YLOD overheating problem that so many other older phat PS3 owner have had.
(And I'm also knocking on wood for any added luck on keeping it that way too) LOL
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/26/2010 6:09:03 PM
6 up, 0 down
jaynet333
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:34:20 PM
Not sure why so many thumbs down, just because you are less than thrilled about your 60GB bricking on you. Mine did the same, but I just got a small amount of $$$ for it anyway and applied to a new slim. Overall, I do like the slim better, but I miss the b/c.
@SquishySoftness
You cannot move a hard drive from one PS3 to another and use the data that is on it. There is some kind of unique ID on the PS3 that is stored on the HD from when it is formatted, perhaps as part of the encryption. If this does not match, the first thing the PS3 will want to do is format the hard drive. You will want to do a backup and/or copy the data from one PS3 to another if they are on the same network (don't know much about that 2nd method, as I have never tried it).
1 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:56:51 PM
well when comparing to computers thats a bit tough due to the fact that it varies from computer to computer and even from the different parts inside each computer.
However overall, computers don't last very long, something always goes wrong and usually they last no more than 3-5 years. A lot of times that during even that length something has had to be replaced.
In the end we're just talking about that word reliable, how reliable is the ps3? Well its more reliable than most consoles, but sadly that still means that some die. I am sorry that one of them was yours, but most likely if you ever get a new one, you won't have a repeat offense.
0 up, 0 down
FlyingKickPunch
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:10:17 PM
0 up, 0 down
erislocker
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 1:10:51 PM
my refurbished unit that was received last july for fixing the YLOD crapped on my yesterday...
yesterday!! just as i had my HD in my hand to backup the data...
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu......
so yea. i read somewhere it was 1 in a 100..
"don't think so, tim.jpg"
@ bikersaint,
man i wish i had read your post on monday or maybe even months ago...
i really thought that vertically was a better option. I guess not. what's scary is that the only backup i was able to get (since i missed a bigger HD) was manually saving all the save games in the folder. i can only hope that it will be enough if i'd go back. however, i feel so damn cheated by sony (2 consoles bricked) that i do not wish to give them any more money. (And that comes from a HUGE Sony supporter).
@ kraygen,
i've had computers longer than 5 yrs (at least i think so) and mostly the problem was software, never really hardware too much. but i see your point in comparing it.
@ jaynet,
i'd go for the slim. yes, lack of b/c sucks, but what bothers me mostly is the lack of a card reader. i bought the ps3 as an entertainment system. not just a console...
if all i wanted was games, i would've gone with the xbox and get RROD...
@ everybody thumbing me down:
I think we consumers have accepted a shitty standard. i think 10% is ridiculously high. the RROD is even worse. consumers shouldn't get cheated by mediocre product. i read somewhere once that since the 50s the quality of products went significantly lower so that consumers keep consuming and spending money.
remember that saying, "they don't make 'em how they used to.."?
i think it's very valid. even though we, consumers, have the purchasing power, we still accepted in an apathetic way a sub-par quality standard for electronics...
i will try to re-flow the bastard and hope it works. if it doesn't i will follow bikersaint's suggestion and keep it horizontal.
Last edited by erislocker on 4/28/2010 1:26:43 PM
1 up, 0 down
erislocker
Thursday, April 29, 2010 @ 1:51:41 PM
i followed gilsky's video on youtube and fixed my YLOD...
nice!
(still hate sony for screwing me over twice...)
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:03:06 PM
Reply
I just wish that the xbots would stop telling me, "Well I don't want a blu-ray player, I just want a gaming console."
Yeah and if someone trys to sell me a porsche for the price of a ford taurus I'm gonna say no, stupid porshe has too many options, I just want a car.
13 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:05:10 PM
Reply
I think they shouldn't reduce the size of the cooling components so that the system has even better cooling and less of a chance to overheat and ultimately, fail.
7 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:15:42 PM
3 up, 1 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:11:43 PM
"This cooler chip "allows for a stealthier heat sink and power supply in addition to a smaller cooling unit," and thus, it's cheaper for Sony to produce."
So yes, they have decreased the size. They should leave those parts the way they are so that cooling is increased.
5 up, 1 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:14:36 PM
Even though they can reduce the heat sink/fan size because of the lower thermal output of the chips, they have a much larger margin to play with. With the original chipset the cooling system was as big and effective as it could be. It's designed to be more than adequate for the PS3 operating within it's operating envelope (which includes a wide range of ambient temperatures). With the new cooler chips, even a smaller heat sink and fan will have a much easier time keeping things cool. I'd bet that the cooling solution for the new chips is over engineered to a point to make sure things stay nice and cool and reliable - just as Sony has tried to do with each revision.
1 up, 0 down
Zorigo
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:13:47 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:15:43 PM
Reply
8 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:18:10 PM
I'd never trade my 60 gigger "Which does almost everything" for a slim that have 2 less USB ports, no card readers, and no BC.
I'd just keep the phat 60 & go buy a slim as your energy saver & use the phat 60 as your backup.
But if you must, then sell it outright because it's the Creme De La Creme of consoles, and it will get you a much bigger & better price for it.
I'm just saying.....
4 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:53:38 PM
4 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:59:16 PM
Save for a new one, use the slim for your blu ray player and your phat for your gaming, or vice versa. In the end surely you wouldn't be disappointed in having 2 ps3's. I know I wouldn't.
2 up, 0 down
maxpontiac
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:14:29 PM
It's out of warranty (been nearly 100% flawless), and I can get about 200 bucks from gamestop.
It's claim to fame is PS2 games for us, and we don't have anymore of those.
It's time for me.
0 up, 0 down
JackC8
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:43:59 PM
Reply
Personally I don't think a price cut is warranted right now. After paying $400 for my fatty, I think $300 for something with 50% more HD space is a darned good deal. And it's quite important for Sony to make some money on these things obviously :)
14 up, 0 down
FullmetalX10
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 1:50:34 PM
Reply
10 up, 0 down
Beamboom
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:17:22 PM
3 up, 1 down
Qwarktast1c
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 2:06:29 PM
Reply
5 up, 0 down
frylock25
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:02:16 PM
Reply
id like a slim also because my new sony reciever syncs with slim ps3s. i cant see me giving up my fat ps3 though.
4 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:12:48 PM
2 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:02:37 PM
3 up, 0 down
godsman
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 3:12:02 PM
Reply
5 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:22:33 PM
3 up, 0 down
Mavfan321
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:25:45 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
Alienange
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 4:56:13 PM
Reply
It really does baffle the mind how the green guys are still in business.
4 up, 0 down
RadioHeader
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:11:18 PM
...of course, they'll no longer be supporting it.
3 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:58:00 PM
3 up, 1 down
DeathOfChaos
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 5:59:51 PM
Reply
3 up, 0 down
FM23
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 6:40:59 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
kraygen
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:05:49 PM
7 up, 0 down
fluffer nutter
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:06:18 PM
Last edited by fluffer nutter on 4/26/2010 7:07:10 PM
3 up, 0 down
RebelJD
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 7:15:40 PM
Reply
Reading everyone's comments, it's good to see a good reception to the Slim from owners of the older PS3 models.
I have a 250GB Slim and I enjoy the heck out of it. I finally got to compare a 60GB phat to a Slim and the Slim is so much sexier.
If they ever come out with a Super Slim PS3 I'll definitely be purchasing it. More compact, mobile and energy efficient are always a plus.
0 up, 0 down
BikerSaint
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:29:49 PM
Reply
Whoa there.....
My 60 phat gal is way sexier to me than any Slimmed down Jenny Craig'ed size wanna-be......
Just her packing 2 more USB orifices, and another 4 orifices through her reader cards, plus her sexy ability to shift back to her shapely Playstation teen days through her BC, just screams out in pure ecstasy that she certainly packs way more goodies between the junk in her trunk too.
Plus she's wrapped in a far more sexier shiny & sleek black silk gown, than that flat crepe paper looking house-dress Miss Slim Thang is hanging over those thin-mint innards of hers.
LMAO
Last edited by BikerSaint on 4/26/2010 8:35:01 PM
4 up, 0 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:42:09 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:02:03 PM
4 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:26:45 PM
1 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:58:49 PM
If either of my 60GB units starts to fail, I'll back it up, remove the HDD (both have 320GB drives), put in a cheap used 60GB and contact Sony. I'll get back a replacement 60GB system with 60GB drive and a 90-day warranty (I believe that they offer a 90 day warranty on the replacement units). Total cost is supposed to be in the region of about $150 for an out of warranty repair.
I would still consider contacting the Sony customer service and inquire about refurbishment options for owners of working systems. I wouldn't be surprised if they do offer a service for working units as well.
There are third parties that claim to do it too, but unless they are Sony warranted I would be careful. It's like all those tales of using a heat gun to reflow solder. It doesn't always add up.
Regarding the heat gun reflowing solder thing. If you could heat the motherboard sufficiently to re-flow the solder, you'd be heating it far beyond it's operational limits. If the Cell and/or RSX got hot enough to melt the solder sufficiently to cause it to flow the chips would be slag. So I don't know why anyone would abuse their PS3 with a heat gun, but it sounds like an astoundingly bad idea to me.
This is why I always suggest owners of PS3 phats with full BC contact Sony when their system fails. It will be cheaper than a new system and you keep all your features.
4 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 11:10:34 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:31:04 AM
1 up, 0 down
Deleted User
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:30:51 PM
Reply
as a 'bi-gamer' i could care less about a new ps3 i don't even give a darn the ps3 slim i have a ps3 60gig bc and a 360. been playing more 360 then ps3 right now since i beat god of war 3 and heavy rain i've just ran out of games to play on my ps3.
'b.d'
currently playing
ps3 - nothing i need more games
360 - mass effect 2 (frist game i started playing since i got the system 3 weeks ago and still got 3 other games to open)
0 up, 8 down
CH1N00K
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 8:56:55 PM
Post something on here in 6 months when you're running out of 360 games to play and are setting up your second 360 due to RROD...
4 up, 0 down
LimitedVertigo
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:24:05 PM
Honest question, are you a fool?
6 up, 0 down
MyWorstNightmar
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:49:00 PM
4 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:12:23 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
sha4dowknight05
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:22:42 PM
Reply
btw is there i even a permenant fix besides infarred or soldering or reballing?
0 up, 0 down
Snaaaake
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 9:51:16 PM
The slim is pretty much very realiable and with this smaller chip it could be almost fail-proof.
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:00:17 PM
4 up, 0 down
IiviIartinez
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 10:27:05 PM
Reply
0 up, 0 down
Robochic
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 12:55:28 AM
Reply
All in all whatever Sony has to do to keep down the defects % I say do it, it's the smart way to go, where as M$ ignores the fact that their console defect % is high but do nothing to fix the issue really.
2 up, 0 down
___________
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 2:56:45 AM
Reply
thats one thing i wish my ps3 had, my room gets so freaking hot when its on honestly bring a turkey and will have a roast dinner!
than if i have my laptop on ill turn it over and we can use it as a BBQ!
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 5:16:21 PM
1 up, 0 down
___________
Wednesday, April 28, 2010 @ 7:45:01 AM
dunno why its really weird, ive used so many different LCD TVs in hotels, friends houses, family and such and mines the only one that gets so freaking hot in the space of 20 minutes.
like the TV i got downstairs the 50 inch i can leave that on for like 10 hours and its cool as a fridge!
0 up, 0 down
sunspider13
Tuesday, April 27, 2010 @ 4:35:30 AM
Reply
My 80 gig 'gandpa' is still going strong, even though I haven't been sticking to the cleaning schedule that I started when I first got it.
2 up, 0 down
Kain81
Reply
Monday, April 26, 2010 @ 12:27:13 PM
RUMOR
Psplife said on Twitter
I know we don't deal with PS3 news but I've heard that a 32nm Cell will be ready this year. So PS3 "SUPER SLIM" could be out this year.