PlayStation 3 technical specifications

A PlayStation 3 console with a Sixaxis controller

The PlayStation 3 technical specifications describe the various components of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) video game console.

Central processing unit

Main article: Cell (microprocessor)
PS3 CPU-"Cell Broadband Engine"

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 a spare to improve production yields. PlayStation 3's Cell CPU achieves a theoretical maximum of 23.04 GFLOPS in single precision floating point operations and up to 10 GFLOPS double precision using iterative refinement for the solution of linear equations.[1][2] The PS3 has 256 MB of Rambus XDR DRAM, clocked at CPU die speed.[1]

Graphics processing unit

PS3 GPU-RSX "Reality Synthesizer"

According to Nvidia, the RSX—the graphics processing unit (GPU)—is based on the NVIDIA G70 (previously known as NV47) architecture. The GPU is clocked at 500 MHz and makes use of 256 MB GDDR3 RAM clocked at 650 MHz with an effective transmission rate of 1.3 GHz.[3]

Configurations

PS3 NTSC COK-001 motherboard (60 GB version)
PS3 PAL COK-002 motherboard

To date, the PS3 has had several component revisions which serve to reduce power consumption. This in turn results in production savings, lower heat production, lower cooling requirements and quieter running. Since launch, the Cell processor has shrunk from 90 nm to 45 nm. The RSX GPU has also seen reduction in size over periodic revisions of the PS3.

Major improvements were introduced with the PS3 Slim. It utilized a 45 nm Cell which resulted in a 34% reduction in power consumption over the previous 65 nm Cell model;[4] the latest Slim model further decreases power consumption with the move to a 40 nm RSX.

Generation Features[5][6] Model number(s)[7] CPU process GPU process PS2 compatibility Front USB Power supply
1st 60 GB (NTSC) CECHAxx 90 nm 90 nm Full (hardware support) 4+flash 380 W
20 GB (NTSC) CECHBxx 90 nm 90 nm Full (hardware support) 4 380 W
2nd 60 GB (PAL) CECHCxx 90 nm 90 nm Partial (software emulation) 4+flash 380 W
80 GB (NTSC) CECHExx 90 nm 90 nm Partial (software emulation) 4+flash 380 W
3rd 40 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECHGxx
CECHHxx		 65 nm 90 nm No 2 280 W
40 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECHJxx 65 nm 65 nm No 2 280 W
80 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECHKxx
CECHLxx
CECHMxx		 65 nm 65 nm No 2 280 W
160 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECHPxx
CECHQxx		 65 nm 65 nm No 2 280 W
4th "Slim" 120/250 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-20xxA
CECH-20xxB		 45 nm 65 nm No 2 250 W
120/250 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-21xxA
CECH-21xxB		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 230 W
160/320 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-25xxA
CECH-25xxB		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 230 W
160/320 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-30xxA
CECH-30xxB		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 200 W
5th "Super Slim" 12/250/500 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-40xxA
CECH-40xxB
CECH-40xxC		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 190 W
12/250/500 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-42xxA
CECH-42xxB
CECH-42xxC		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 190 W
12/250/500 GB (PAL, NTSC) CECH-43xxA
CECH-43xxB
CECH-43xxC		 45 nm 40 nm No 2 190 W

Model numbers

On all models of the PS3, the last seven characters of the serial number make up the console's model number. This begins with "CECH", followed by a letter indicating what model the system is. The last two characters of the model number indicate what region the system is from.

Model number Release date[6] Model Regions
CECHAxx November 2006 60 GB 00 01 06 07 12
(JP, NA)
CECHBxx November 2006 20 GB 00 01 07 12
(JP, NA)
CECHCxx March 2007 60 GB 02 03 04 08
(EU/PAL)
CECHDxx (Unreleased) 20 GB (EU/PAL)
CECHExx August 2007 80 GB 01 05 06 11 12
(NA)
CECHFxx (Unreleased) 80 GB (NA)
CECHGxx October 2007 40 GB 01 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(NA, EU/PAL)
CECHHxx October 2007 40 GB 00 01 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECHIxx (Unreleased) 40 GB[a]
CECHJxx August 2008 40 GB[b] 00 02 03 04
(JP, EU/PAL)
CECHKxx August 2008 80 GB 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(NA, EU/PAL)
CECHLxx October 2008 80 GB[c] 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECHMxx October 2008 80 GB 03 (UK)
CECHNxx (Unreleased) 80 GB
CECHOxx (Unreleased) 80 GB
CECHPxx October 2008 160 GB 00 01 04 05 06 07 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECHQxx April 2009 160 GB 00 (JP)
CECH-20xxA September 2009 120 GB 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-20xxB October 2009 250 GB 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-21xxA March 2010 120 GB 00 01 03 04 05 07 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-21xxB March 2010 250 GB 00 01 03 04 05 07 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-25xxA[d] July 2010 160 GB 00 01 02 04 05 06 07 08 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-25xxB[d] July 2010 320 GB 00 01 02 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-30xxA July 2011 160 GB 00 01 02 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-30xxB July 2011 320 GB 00 01 02 04 05 06 07 08 11 12
(JP, NA, EU/PAL)
CECH-40xxA October 2012 12 GB 00 01 04 05 07 08 11 12
CECH-40xxB September 2012 250 GB 01
(NA)
CECH-40xxC September 2012 500 GB 02
(EU/PAL)
CECH-42xxA June 2013 12 GB 00 01 04 05 07 08 11 12
CECH-42xxB June 2013 250 GB 01
(NA)
CECH-42xxC June 2013 500 GB 02
(EU/PAL)
CECH-43xxABC May 2014 12/250/500 GB 02
(EU/PAL)
Key: NA - North America, EU/PAL - Europe/PAL region, JP - Japan, UK - United Kingdom

Notes:

^ a Registered with FCC on January 31, 2008 with request for confidentiality[8]
^ b Registered with FCC on January 31, 2008 with request for confidentiality[9]
^ c Registered with FCC on July 3, 2008 with request for confidentiality[10]
^ d Registered with FCC on June 10, 2010 with request for confidentiality[11]

Region codes

Number Region
00[12] Japan
01[13] North America
02[14] Australia & New Zealand
03[15] United Kingdom & Ireland
04[16] Europe, Middle East, and Africa
05[17] Korea
06[18] Southeast Asia
07[19] Taiwan
08[20] Russia & India
09 China
10 (Unused)
11[21] Latin America
12[22] Hong Kong

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).[23][24] In terms of audio, the PS3 supports a number of formats, including 7.1 digital audio, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio and others; audio output is possible over stereo RCA cables (analog), optical digital cables, or HDMI. The PS3 slim features an upgraded HDMI chip that allows bitstreaming of lossless audio codecs to an external receiver (earlier versions had to decode the signal internally before outputting it via LPCM).[25] 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, 80, 120, 160, 250, 320, or 500 GB 2.5-inch 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.[26] For communication, the system sported four USB 2.0 ports at the front on the 20 and 60 GB models as well as the NTSC 80 GB model, but the 40 GB and 80 GB PAL models only have two USB ports. All models (80 and 160 GB) released after August 2008 have been reduced to two USB ports, as well as dropping CompactFlash and SD card support. One Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 2.0 support, and built-in Wi-Fi (except CECHBxx).

Form and power consumption

The original PlayStation 3 console is approximately 5 kg (11 lb), 325 mm (W) × 98 mm (H) × 274 mm (D).[27] The case was designed by Teiyu Goto of Sony, and uses the Spider-Man font.[28]

The PlayStation 3 slim weighs 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) and the dimensions are approximately 290 mm (W) x 65 mm (H) x 290 mm (D).

The PlayStation 3 super slim is said to weigh 25% less than PS3 slim, i.e. 2.1 kg (4.6 lb) and measure 290 mm (W) x 60 mm (H) x 230 mm (D) when laid flat.[29]

The power consumption of the initial PlayStation 3 units based on 90 nm Cell CPU ranges from 170–200 W during normal use, despite having a 380 W power supply.[30] The power consumption of newer 40 GB PlayStation 3 (65 nm process Cell/90 nm RSX) units ranges from 120-140 W during normal use.[31]

Universal power supply

The power supply can operate on both 60 Hz and 50 Hz power grids. It uses a standard IEC 60320 C14 (IEC 60320 C8 for the PS3 slim) connector and a C13 (C7 for the PS3 slim) power cord appropriate for the region it is being used in. The power supply on the "fat" model is 380 W. This was reduced to 250 W in the 120 GB "Slim" model. PS3 Slim models have labels indicating localized input requirements for power (110 V 60 Hz for North American and Japanese models and 220-240 V 50 Hz for European and Australian models), however teardowns have revealed the slim power supplies are still universal.[32]

Disc drive

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

BD

Blu-ray disc read speed maximum is 2x (72 Mb/s [9 MB/s]), region coded type allowing the use of:

DVD

DVD disc read speed maximum is 8× (86.40 Mbit/s [10.8 MB/s]), region coded type allowing the use of:

CD

Compact disc read speed maximum is 24× (29.49 Mbit/s [3.68 MB/s]), region coded type allowing the use of:

Official accessories

The PlayStation 3 Sixaxis[36] 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;[37] 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.[38] The Sixaxis is named for its ability to detect motion in the full six degrees. The Sixaxis controller also 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.[39] 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.[40]

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,[41] while the first 500,000 European PlayStation Network activations after launch received a free copy of the Blu-ray release of Casino Royale.[42]

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  frame/s video at 320×240 resolution. The four-channel microphone on the Eye can block out background noise. The camera supports live video chat and voice chat without a headset, and was launched in the United States on October 23, 2007, for US$39.99,[43] and in Australia on November 8, 2007, for A$79.95.[44] It was also bundled with the card game The Eye of Judgment released in the United States on the same day as the camera itself for US$69.99,[45] and in Japan and Australia on October 25, 2007 for JP¥9,980 and A$159.95, respectively.[46][47]

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

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.[48] However, with the release of firmware 1.70 for the PlayStation 3, Sony has added support for previous Guitar Hero controllers with generic PS2-to-USB adapters (although the whammy bar is not functional). 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.[49] 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.[50] The PlayStation 3 can also use Memory Sticks to store and save data for PlayStation and PlayStation 2 software.[51] New PlayStation 3 systems no longer support PS2 playback (whether through use of the Emotion Engine & Graphics Synthesizer hardware or through the Graphics Synthesizer and software emulation of the Emotion Engine) or Memory Cards.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Cell Broadband Engine Architecture and its first implementation". IBM developerWorks. November 29, 2005. Retrieved 6 April 2006.
  2. ↑ "Exploiting the Performance of 32 bit Floating Point Arithmetic in Obtaining 64 bit Accuracy" (PDF). University of Tennessee. July 31, 2005. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  3. ↑ pbista (2006-11-11). "Finally Some New RSX News!!!". PlayStation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment America. Retrieved 2014-04-19.
  4. ↑ "Sony's PS3 Slim Carries Updated Cell Chip". PC World. Retrieved 2010-03-01.
  5. ↑ "About PlayStation3 - Technical Specifications". PlayStation.com. Archived from the original on 2008-02-24.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "PlayStation 3 Secrets". Edepot.com. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  7. ↑ "PS3 SKUs". joystiq.com. Retrieved 2008-08-26.
  8. ↑ http://fccid.net/document.php?id=903623
  9. ↑ http://fccid.net/document.php?id=903634
  10. ↑ http://fccid.net/document.php?id=973972
  11. ↑ http://fccid.net/number.php?id=556518&fcc=AK8CBEH1700
  12. ↑ "New PS3 model coming in two colors at new price". Sony Computer Entertainment Japan. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  13. ↑ "PS3 serial numbers". Sony Computer Entertainment America. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  14. ↑ "PS SW playable on PS3". Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  15. ↑ "PS software playable on PS3". Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  16. ↑ "PS3 User Manual (French)" (PDF). SCEE. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  17. ↑ "PS3 User Manual (Korean)" (PDF). SCEJ. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  18. ↑ "Terms & Conditions for "PlayStation 3" in Singapore" (PDF). Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  19. ↑ "Terms & Conditions for "PlayStation 3" in Taiwan" (PDF). Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  20. ↑ "Sony PlayStation 3". Interlink.com. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  21. ↑ "Equipos inscriptos (Spanish)". National Communication Commission. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  22. ↑ "Terms & Conditions for "PlayStation 3" in Hong Kong" (PDF). Sony Computer Entertainment Hong Kong. Retrieved 2008-10-05.
  23. ↑ "Press Releases". hdmi.org. Archived from the original on 2006-11-06. Retrieved 2006-11-20.
  24. ↑ "Video Output Settings". Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 2006-11-10.
  25. ↑ "PS3 Slim bitsreams Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio, at last". Engadget. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  26. ↑ Kiss, Tom (2007-03-25). "USB HDD not working with PlayStation 3? Format as FAT32...". TomKiss.net. Retrieved 2007-06-19.
  27. ↑ "New PlayStation3 (CECHH00 Series) Comes in Two Color Variations at a New Price | Press Releases ｜ Sony Computer Entertainment Inc". Scei.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  28. ↑ Official Playstation Magazine, issue 005
  29. ↑ "NEW SMALLER AND LIGHTER PLAYSTATION®3 TO HIT THE WORLDWIDE MARKET | PRESS RELEASES ｜ Sony Computer Entertainment Inc". Scei.co.jp. Retrieved 2012-11-25.
  30. ↑ "Blu-rayの起爆剤「PLAYSTATION 3」のAV機能を試す。" (in Japanese). AV Watch. 2006-11-11. Retrieved 2007-02-19.
  31. ↑ "Sony Says the 40 GB PS3 is Still Using 90 nm Chips". Engadget. 2007-11-03. Retrieved 2008-01-08.
  32. ↑ "PlayStation 3 Slim Teardown". IFixIt.com.
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 33.2 33.3 33.4 33.5 33.6 33.7 33.8 33.9 33.10 33.11 33.12 33.13 33.14 33.15 33.16 33.17 33.18 33.19 "PlayStation 3 "Safety & Support" manual" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  34. ↑ "PlayStation 3 80 GB model for Mexico "Safety & Support" manual" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  35. ↑ "PlayStation 3 "Quick Reference" manual" (PDF). Retrieved 2012-09-07.
  36. ↑ "ACCESSORIES FOR PLAYSTATION3 BECOME AVAILABLE" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment. 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2006-10-03.
  37. ↑ "SCE Announces New Controller for PlayStation3" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2006-05-09. Retrieved 2006-05-24.
  38. ↑ "Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. to Launch Its Next Generation Computer Entertainment System, PlayStation3 in Spring 2006" (PDF) (Press release). Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. 2005-05-16. Retrieved 2006-05-26.
  39. ↑ "DUALSHOCK3 Wireless Controller With Rumble Feature To Be Introduced For PlayStation3". SCEI.co.jp. Sony Computer Entertainment. 2007-09-20. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  40. ↑ "TGS '07: Spot On - The Dual Shock 3". GameSpot.com. CNET. Retrieved 2007-09-20.
  41. ↑ Raby, Mark (2006-10-20). "Sony unveils details of PS3 online services". Tom's Guide Publishing. Retrieved 2007-01-24.
  42. ↑ "Casino Royale for First 500,000 PS3 Registrants". ThreeSpeech.com. Three Speech. 2007-02-12. Retrieved 2007-02-22.
  43. ↑ Stocker, Sarah (October 10, 2007). "PlayStation Eye, A Little More Info…". Blog.US.PlayStation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-10-11.
  44. ↑ "PlayStation Eye". au.playstation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2007-10-20. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  45. ↑ Valledor, Mark (September 20, 2007). "5 Things You *Don’t* Know: THE EYE OF JUDGMENT". PlayStation.Blog. Sony Computer Entertainment. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  46. ↑ "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 2007-08-25.
  47. ↑ "Eye of Judgment". AU.PlayStation.com. Sony Computer Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2007-09-01. Retrieved 2007-10-12.
  48. ↑ "Guitar Hero II Compatible with PS3?". IGN.com. 2006-11-10. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
  49. ↑ "Nyko Play Adaptor Cancelled". QJ.net. 2007-03-30. Retrieved 2006-04-09.
  50. ↑ "Playstation 3 Supports PS2/PS1 Memory Cards". Console Watcher. 2006-08-11. Retrieved 2006-08-12.
  51. ↑ Elle Cayabyab Gitlin (2005-08-01). "More PS3 details emerge in print". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2006-07-19.

External links

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