New PS3 hardware hits stores, CECH-2101. Contains 40nm RSX, Awesome FAQ inside!

[bferr1]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Who cares? You do realize it's ridiculously easy to upgrade a PS3 hard drive, right? I upgraded by 60GB model to 250 GB with zero problems.

Hooray for you. I asked because I have a 250gb slim under the Best Buy replacement plan that's prone to loud fan noise, freezes and sluggish response to the BD remote control. I'm thinking about swapping for this new revision.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

Does it play PS2 games? If not then no thanks, I'll stay with my current model that does.

[androvsky]

Originally Posted by Maximus

If I buy this new PS3 will it be outdated by an even newer revision.

No. PS3s by definition are all the same regardless of any internal or even external revisions.

Oh, if 'twas really true, I'd own two.

Anyway, it's certainly good news on the profitability front. I've seen some speculation that 45nm is probably about as small as the current design can reasonably go; the next step will probably require them to make a combo Cell/RSX in order to actually save money with a process shrink.

I forget, is the GDDR3 part of the RSX?

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

What's wrong with the simple convenience of full-backward compatibility?

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by ChadFL

What's wrong with the simple convenience of full-backward compatibility?

That is never coming again, as Sony wants you to buy all your PS2 games again, as downloads through the PSN.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

That is never coming again, as Sony wants you to buy all your PS2 games again, as downloads through the PSN.

Not this crap again.. even if it's a joke.

PS2 BC wont return in hardware because they're trying to lower costs, not raise them.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Not this crap again.. even if it's a joke.

PS2 BC wont return in hardware because they're trying to lower costs, not raise them.

Just like Clark Kent stated, Sony'll release PS2 games on the PSN just like they did with PS1 games.

[toef]

Originally Posted by Wingman1977

Just like Clark Kent stated, Sony'll release PS2 games on the PSN just like they did with PS1 games.

I find it hard to believe DVD-sized games will be released regularly on PSN. I'm sure they might release a few of the more popular ones, but that's it.

I side with Shin that it's more related to cutting costs than as some sort of trick to get people to re-purchase their old games.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by toef

I find it hard to believe DVD-sized games will be released regularly on PSN. I'm sure they might release a few of the more popular ones, but that's it.

I side with Shin that it's more related to cutting costs than as some sort of trick to get people to re-purchase their old games.

Are you aware that xbox/xbox360 games are on XBL for DL? so why wouldn't Sony do it on the PSN (also the fact that there are much more popular games on the ps2 vs the xbox. I never agreed that it's some sort of scheme/trick Sony is pulling.

[BirdManJr]

On amazon when u click on ps3 120 gb it says in red letters "newest version" does that mean its what your talking about here? Or can you find these in stores? i looked and the ones i seen wasnt the new versions at bestbuy.

[Wingman1977]

Originally Posted by BirdManJr

On amazon when u click on ps3 120 gb it says in red letters "newest version" does that mean its what your talking about here? Or can you find these in stores? i looked and the ones i seen wasnt the new versions at bestbuy.

No, it's just the slim in general.

[ChadFL]

Originally Posted by Clark Kent

That is never coming again, as Sony wants you to buy all your PS2 games again, as downloads through the PSN.

Exactly, which was the whole point of my original post. The eye rolls were unnecessary. I just don't plan on taking what I believe would be a step backward in buying a slim. The convenience of playing all my PS, PS2 and PS3 games on one console trumps a little extra energy savings/smaller unit.

[androvsky]

Originally Posted by Shin-Ra

Not this crap again.. even if it's a joke.

PS2 BC wont return in hardware because they're trying to lower costs, not raise them.

Downloads through the PSN certainly wouldn't raise Sony's costs if they make people buy PS2 games from Sony in order to play them on newer PS3s. And if they're not planning on making people re-buy PS2 games, where's the evidence? All I see is the God of War 1&2 collection.

[BirdManJr]

Ok are the newer slims out now? or is there a certain time to start looking....i want to get one...i just dont want to check all the numbers on every box until then....unless thats what i have to do..lol...well i just dont want to check if there not even in stores yet...anyone get one yet?

[Monkey]

If I buy this new PS3 will it be outdated by an even newer revision.

No. PS3s by definition are all the same regardless of any internal or even external revisions.

Wish this was true My is lacking compared to my first (still sitting YLOD) which I should get fixed one day.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by androvsky

Oh, if 'twas really true, I'd own two.

Anyway, it's certainly good news on the profitability front. I've seen some speculation that 45nm is probably about as small as the current design can reasonably go; the next step will probably require them to make a combo Cell/RSX in order to actually save money with a process shrink.

I forget, is the GDDR3 part of the RSX?

It is true to the extent that all PS3s play all PS3 games. So regardless of what something looks like on the outside (or in this case, inside) no PS3 ever becomes outdated.

45nm is the last easy die shrink for Cell. 32nm will require repackaging and a redesign of the pin configuration, but I'm told IBM and Sony are already working on it and 32nm Cell should roll out sometime next year. RSX shrinks all the way down to 22nm without too much trouble. I think moving both chips onto the same package like Westmere is the next step once RSX is down to 32nm. This could pave the way for power consumption equal to that of a regular laptop and allow for a smallish external power brick.

GDDR3 is now in 2 banks of 1Gbit Samsung/Hynix (depending on where it was manufactured) and is external to the RSX package. Other changes are the use of 2 Elpida 1Gbit XDR modules at 65nm as opposed to the original 512Mbit Samsung modules at 90nm.

The next revision on the roadmap is for late 2010 early 2011, RSX is scheduled to shift down to 32nm as Toshiba have got their fabs up and running for NAND at 30nm already so complex silicon should follow in due course. XDR will probably shift down as well as Samsung have got 45nm 1Gbit chips planned for sometime this year.

Basically all of this points to a new superslim mid-late 2011 depending on whether IBM can roll out 32nm Cell sometime soon.

An interesting fact; the original slim was being designed to accommodate 45nm Cell and RSX, but RSX was delayed and Sony didn't want to wait so used better (more expensive) cooling to get it out the door before the end of 2009.

[Shin-Ra]

Originally Posted by androvsky

Downloads through the PSN certainly wouldn't raise Sony's costs if they make people buy PS2 games from Sony in order to play them on newer PS3s. And if they're not planning on making people re-buy PS2 games, where's the evidence? All I see is the God of War 1&2 collection.

The suggestion I'm ridiculing is that PS2 backward compatibility was cunningly removed to force gamers into rebuying their PS2 games.

Nobody's forcing anyone to do anything, if you bought PS2 games on DVD and don't own a PS2 or BC-capable PS3 it's your own fault. It would be idiotic to cut BC and then wait YEARS to supply the native PS3 versions to make the initial cut and negativity worthwhile. That's if it's actually profitable to port more than a few well-documented/original-staff supported, most-demanded special games that people would want to play in upgraded form, whether they've got the ability to play the original or not.

Why not cut PSone emulation too? Most people don't know the difference and think of all the extra $$ to be made making people rebuy their PSone games! PSone was so long ago, people are more ready to rebuy those!

[jomari]

dont forget to add on the FAQ section that it also plays blu-rays.

kidding aside, great news. now makes me question if id finally replace my 60g 'big boned' version.

Thanks for the info guys. Appreciate the details.

[owa]

Thanks for the info/FAQ.

[Albuyno Ryeno]

A) Sony (along with MS and Nintendo) does NOT sell the Playstation 3 at a loss. This is 2010 not 2006

B) According to Sony Asia the release is 2010-04-01 so one would assume they have already started production on the new revision and will be getting models within the next month, after current old model stocks deplete.