Sony's PSP slim cracked open: there's more NAND in there?

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Low Ranked

GamerGuyX @ Sep 6th 2007 10:40AM

What's so suprising? Sony already announced that the new slim PSP would have double the memory. It helps reduce load times.

Neutral

Kilraven @ Sep 6th 2007 11:33AM

He didn't say RAM he said memory, and NAND is a type of memory.

Neutral

J @ Sep 6th 2007 12:00PM

um, Kilraven
HAHA!! Are you saying that RAM (random access MEMORY) is not a type of MEMORY? Thanks for clearing that one up.

Highly Ranked

They announced that the PSP slim would have more RAM. More RAM is going to result in faster load times. NAND is flash memory. When you update your firmware, it goes into NAND. Otherwise, AFAIK, it is unused.

Please don't respond to things unless you know what you're talking about.

Neutral

Joe_Templeman @ Sep 9th 2007 7:41AM

Does this mean that they are preparing for a bigger firmware update which the older PSP's wont handle? I wonder....

Highly Ranked

Kilraven @ Sep 6th 2007 1:20PM

@J:
Good to know you're literate. So if I say dogs are mammals, I'm also stating cats aren't? I'll let that sink in.

@JCD:
You're half-right. People shouldn't talk about things they don't know.
NAND memory IS non-volatile. It's deceiving in that it'll act like RAM with power applied and ROM with it off. It's why it's commonly used in mobile devices as...you guess it, RAM! So quit thinking when RAM is only the crap you shove in your PC.
That 64M is going to allow for a larger cache, which in turn will allow for quicker load times.

Neutral

JCD @ Sep 6th 2007 1:59PM

NAND is typically called flash memory. You're correct to say that it can be used as RAM or ROM, depending on the application. It can also be used as an SSD (memory sticks and such use either NAND or NOR memory). But just because it can be used as RAM doesn't mean it is RAM, just like virtual RAM isn't the same as real RAM.

Anyhow, Kilraven, you're missing the point. It isn't about semantics, its about functionality.

The psp does not use flash memory as its system RAM. That's why putting it in standby mode consumes electricity. The NAND in the psp is used for firmware. Games do not cache into the NAND, they cache into the RAM. If Sony increased the size of the psp's NAND memory, then they are most likely planning on the psp slim requiring larger firmwares than the psp 'fat.'

Let's put it another way. You want your games to have less intermittent loading. You can either A) increase the amount of pricy flash memory in your redesign and have the discs cache to it, or B) increase the amount of cheap-ass ram and have your discs cache there instead. It's an easy decision.

Conclusion: this extra NAND is not the extra RAM Sony promised to reduce load times.

Neutral

ryan @ Sep 6th 2007 10:36PM

"Since we decided to be engadet techno-douchebags, let me jump on the bandwagon and point out that flash memory can be Accessed Randomly and it is Memory."

HAHAHA you just made my day. engadget techno-douchebags.

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