PlayStation 3 hardware

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60GB Playstation 3 unit with a box and a controller.
60GB Playstation 3 unit with a box and a controller.

The PlayStation 3's hardware consists of both the internal systems and a number of peripherals such as the SIXAXIS controller.

Unless otherwise noted, the following specifications are based on a press release by Sony at the E3 2005 conference,[1] and slides from a Sony presentation at the 2006 Game Developer's Conference.[2]

Contents

[edit] Central processing unit

Main article: Cell (microprocessor)

The PS3 uses the Cell microprocessor, which is made up of one 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based "Power Processing Element" (PPE) and six accessible Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). A seventh runs in a special mode and is dedicated to aspects of the OS and security, and an eighth is disabled to improve production yields. The floating point performance of the whole system (CPU + GPU) is reported to be 2 TFLOPS.[1] PlayStation 3's Cell CPU achieves 204 GFLOPS single precision float and 15 GFLOPS double precision. The PS3 has 256 MB of Rambus XDR DRAM, clocked at CPU die speed. As of firmware update 2.0101478, 32 MB of the XDR memory is reserved by the PS3's XrossMediaBar user interface.

[edit] Graphics processing unit

Main article: RSX 'Reality Synthesizer'

The Graphics Processing Unit according to Nvidia is based on the NVIDIA G70 (previously known as NV47) architecture. The GPU makes use of 256 MB GDDR3 RAM clocked at 650 MHz with an effective transmission rate of 1.3 GHz and up to 224 MB of the 3.2 GHz XDR main memory via the CPU (480 MB max).

[edit] Connectivity

Further information: PlayStation 3 AV Cables

The PS3 supports numerous SDTV and HDTV resolutions (from 480i / 576i up to 1080p) and connectivity options (such as HDMI 1.3a and component video).[3][4] In terms of audio, the PS3 supports a number of formats, including 7.1 digital audio, Dolby TrueHD, and others; audio output is possible over stereo RCA cables (analog), optical digital cables, or HDMI. For the optical disc drive, a wide variety of DVD and CD formats are supported, as well as Blu-ray Discs. A 20, 40, 60, or 80GB 2.5" SATA 150 hard disk is pre-installed. In the 60 GB and 80 GB configurations, flash memory can also be used — either Memory Sticks, CompactFlash cards, or SD/MMC cards. All models support USB memory devices; flash drives and external hard drives are both automatically recognized. However, they must be formatted with the FAT32 file system — the PS3 does not support the Microsoft-developed NTFS file system that is the standard in the Windows NT family.[5] For communication, the PS3 has one Gigabit Ethernet port, depending on the version two or four USB 2.0 ports at the front, Bluetooth 2.0 support, and built-in Wi-Fi on the 40, 60 and 80 GB versions.

[edit] Form and power consumption

The PlayStation 3 console is approximately 5 kg, 325 mm (W) × 98 mm (H) × 274 mm (D).[6] The power consumption of the initial PlayStation 3 units based on 90nm Cell (microprocessor) CPU ranges from 170–200 watts during normal use, despite having a 380 watt power supply.[7] The power consumption of newer PlayStation 3(65nm process)units ranges from 120-140 watts during normal use.[8]

[edit] Universal power supply

The console has a universal power unit built in which makes a 120 V PlayStation 3 suitable in a 240 V region. The power supply can operate on both 60 Hz and 50 Hz power grids. It uses a standard C14 IEC connector and a C13 power cord appropriate for the region being used in. Some consoles, however, read 220v~240v 1.8a which are not universal. The power supply is capable of delivering approximately 380W, although the PS3 has never been measured using this much power. The new Japanese PS3s have a 100V power supply instead of a universal one.

[edit] Disc drive

The PlayStation 3 disc drive is an all-in-one type allowing the use of different formats.

[edit] BD

The Blu-ray drive is a 2x speed, region coded type allowing the use of:

[edit] DVD

The Digital Versatile Disc drive is an 8x speed, region coded type allowing the use of:

[edit] CD

The Compact Disc drive is a 24x speed, region coded type allowing the use of:

[edit] Official accessories

Main article: PlayStation 3 accessories

The PlayStation 3 Sixaxis[12] is a controller that is very similar in appearance to that of its predecessors, the DualShock and DualShock 2. The SIXAXIS features finer analog sensitivity;[13] more trigger-like R2 and L2 buttons; a PS (“home”) button; and a USB mini-B port for charging the internal battery and for wired play. The PlayStation 3 supports up to 7 simultaneous controllers over Bluetooth.[1] The Sixaxis is named for its ability to detect motion in the full six degrees; however, unlike the PlayStation 2's DualShock, the Sixaxis controller has no vibration feature.

At its press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced the DualShock 3 (trademarked DUALSHOCK 3), a PlayStation 3 controller with the same function and design as the Sixaxis, but with vibration capability.[14] Hands-on accounts describe the controller as being slightly heavier than the standard Sixaxis controller, and capable of vibration forces comparable to the DualShock 2.[15]

The PlayStation 3 Memory Card Adaptor is a device that allows data to be transferred from PlayStation and PlayStation 2 memory cards to the PlayStation 3's hard disk. The device has a cable that connects to the PS3's USB port on one end, and features a legacy PS2 memory card port on the other end.

Using Bluetooth, the PlayStation 3 BD Remote allows users to control videos and music on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. In Japan, the device was available starting December 7, 2006. The PS3 will accept signals only via its Bluetooth Remote, as the console does not have an infrared receiver; this prevents the use of universal remotes with the system. The Blu-ray Disc movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was included with the initial 400,000 release copies of the PS3 in North America,[16] while the first 500,000 European PlayStation Network activations after launch received a free copy of the Blu-ray release of Casino Royale.[17]

On April 25, 2007, Sony announced the PlayStation Eye. This is an updated version of the PlayStation 2 peripheral, the EyeToy. The camera is capable of capturing 60 frames per second video at 640×480 resolution and 120 fps video at 320×240 resolution. The four-channel microphone on the Eye can block out background noise. The camera will support live video chat and voice chat without a headset, and will be launched in the United States on October 23 for US$39.99,[18] and in Australia on November 8 for AU$79.95.[19] It will also be bundled with the card game The Eye of Judgment in the United States on the same day as the camera itself for US$69.99,[20] and in Japan and Australia on October 25, 2007 for JP¥9,980[21] and AU$159.95,[22] respectively.

Official PlayStation 3 HDMI and Component AV cables are also available for retail.

[edit] Backward compatibility

The PlayStation 3 does not include interfaces for legacy PlayStation peripherals, though IGN.com tested a legacy controller using a PS2-to-USB adapter, finding that it is compatible, though most other devices (such as the Guitar Hero controller) may not be compatible.[23] Nyko started production on the "Play Adaptor", a PS2-to-USB adapter allowing for guitars and other PlayStation 2 peripherals to be used on the PlayStation 3 and was scheduled for release in Q2/2007, but Nyko stated at the end of March that the production of this device had been postponed due to compatibility problems with the PS3.[24] The PS3 supports both the USB EyeToy camera/webcam and SOCOM Headset for video and voice chat. A memory card adapter is available so users can copy their old PS/PS2 game saves to a virtual memory card on the PS3’s hard drive.[25] The PlayStation 3 can also use Memory Sticks to store and save data for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software.[26]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (2005-05-16). "SONY COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT INC. TO LAUNCH ITS NEXT GENERATION COMPUTER ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM, PLAYSTATION3 IN SPRING 2006". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-05-26.
  2. ^ Slides from Sony's 2006 GDC Presentation. Game Watch. Retrieved on 2006-05-25.
  3. ^ Press Releases. hdmi.org. Retrieved on 2006-11-20.
  4. ^ Video Output Settings. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2006-11-10.
  5. ^ Kiss, Tom (2007-03-25). USB HDD not working with PlayStation 3? Format as FAT32.... TomKiss.net. Retrieved on 2007-06-19.
  6. ^ NEW PLAYSTATION3 (CECHH00 SERIES) COMES IN TWO COLOR VARIATIONS AT A NEW PRICE | PRESS RELEASES ｜ Sony Computer Entertainment Inc
  7. ^ Blu-rayの起爆剤「PLAYSTATION 3」のAV機能を試す。 (Japanese). AV Watch (2006-11-11). Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
  8. ^ Sony says the 40GB PS3 is still using 90nm chips (English). Engadget (2007-11-03). Retrieved on 2008-01-08.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t PlayStation 3 "Safety & Support" manual
  10. ^ PlayStation 3 80GB model for Mexico "Safety & Support" manual
  11. ^ PlayStation 3 "Quick Reference" manual
  12. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment (2006-10-03). "ACCESSORIES FOR PLAYSTATION3 BECOME AVAILABLE". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-10-03.
  13. ^ Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (2006-05-09). "SCE ANNOUNCES NEW CONTROLLER FOR PLAYSTATION3". Press release. Retrieved on 2006-05-24.
  14. ^ DUALSHOCK3 Wireless Controller With Rumble Feature To Be Introduced FOR PLAYSTATION3. Sony Computer Entertainment (2007-09-20). Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  15. ^ TGS '07: Spot On - The Dual Shock 3. GameSpot. CNET. Retrieved on 2007-09-20.
  16. ^ Raby, Mark (2006-10-20). Sony unveils details of PS3 online services. Tom's Guide Publishing. Retrieved on 2007-01-24.
  17. ^ CASINO ROYALE FOR FIRST 500,000 PS3 REGISTRANTS. Three Speech (2007-02-12). Retrieved on 2007-02-22.
  18. ^ Stocker, Sarah (October 10, 2007). PlayStation Eye, A Little More Info…. PlayStation.Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-10-11.
  19. ^ PLAYSTATION Eye. au.playstation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
  20. ^ Valledor, Mark (September 20, 2007). 5 Things You *Don’t* Know: THE EYE OF JUDGMENT. PlayStation.Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
  21. ^ The Eye of Judgment（アイ・オブ・ジャッジメント） Biolith Rebellion ～機神の叛乱～ (Adobe Flash). jp.playstation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-08-25.
  22. ^ Eye of Judgment. au.playstation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved on 2007-10-12.
  23. ^ Guitar Hero II Compatible with PS3?. IGN.com (2006-11-10). Retrieved on 2006-11-18.
  24. ^ Nyko Play Adaptor Cancelled. qj.net (2007-03-30). Retrieved on 2006-04-09.
  25. ^ Playstation 3 Supports PS2/PS1 Memory Cards. Console Watcher (2006-08-11). Retrieved on 2006-08-12.
  26. ^ Elle Cayabyab Gitlin (2005-08-01). More PS3 details emerge in print. Ars Technica. Retrieved on 2006-07-19.

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