40GB PS3 features 65nm chips, lower power consumption

It's been revealed that the new 40GB PlayStation 3 features more than just a cut down hard disk drive. Sony has also thought to stick the 65nm version of the Cell inside the new console, reducing the power usage down to around 135 Watts (down from 200 Watts.) That means the console also runs cooler and quieter, which is always a plus for a device that usually resides in the living room. Sony also jiggled around a few other components by making the heat pipe smaller, swapping out the motherboard for a new version, and added a button battery to keep time when the system is off. Looks like potential PS3 purchasers will be looking forward to a less noticeable din then.

[Thanks, Khattab]

[Cory @ Oct 30th 2007 9:59AM]

Folding @ Home just got more economical, WOOT!

[michas_pi @ Oct 30th 2007 10:00AM]

It's also cooler due to the lack of the Emotion Engine.

Oh well, I guess I can't retire my PS2 just yet.

[Maestro @ Oct 30th 2007 10:24AM]

It's also cooler because it is never playing games.

I'm in awe that the highlight of the "most powerful" game machine ever is that I can run Folding@home on it. Uh, I can do that on the piece of crap PC I have in my office.

I've said once, and I will say it again...I'm not let down by the PS3 as a fan of Sony, but rather as a fan of gaming.

[Julian Emmett Turner @ Nov 7th 2007 8:21PM]

Lack of an EE makes it cooler? No, the EE was already gone in the 80GB model and all European models. It's the GS that this one takes away.

Removing the EE also removed a lot more, like the RAMBUS chips. The GS won't do so much, though collectively with the enhancements like 65nm, it certainly adds up.

[VooDooRoo @ Oct 30th 2007 10:05AM]

michas_pi nothing to cry over!

hahaha hmmm

Okay move along ... *SOB*


V D R

[michas_pi @ Oct 30th 2007 10:18AM]

True, it is nothing to cry over.

I would get this SKU if the PS3 had an explosive games library.

[Orpheus @ Oct 30th 2007 7:38PM]

Dude, he was clearly making a joke..

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 30th 2007 10:17AM]

I remember when the talk claimed 360 Elite would have 65nm chips. So much for that....

I am so glad that I waited to buy a PS3 - future purchasers will have a real Library of games to choose from, DUAL SHOCK SIXAXIS and 65 nm chips.

There really is wisdom in patience.

[Blackster @ Oct 30th 2007 10:32AM]

actually the xbox does! the cpu is 65nm.

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 10:42AM]

Blackster

for XBOX 360 it's a faze-in, you can't tell which xbox has 65nm {well hopefully the arcade pack does}

and the elite is a faze-in, when it came it was still old.

[Blackster @ Oct 30th 2007 10:55AM]

@CosterMonger:

hmm, appparently you can, if you look closely into the side. if there is an additional heatsink, then your good to go ;)

[shuyin198x @ Oct 30th 2007 11:06AM]

@Blackster. Great, but how practical is it to go to a store, buy,open the box.Change for a different one if its not the right one.Rinse,Repeat until how many times? What store will let you do that anyway?

As for the ps3, there are people who will buy it because they like the feature and games and there are some who will never be satisfied no matter what.Personally I think its worth waiting for a game that has your interest, by the time that arrives im sure it will be at least cheaper.

[Blackster @ Oct 30th 2007 11:29AM]

@shuyin198x:

well actually you're entitled to check if everything is in the package. so the store should let you do it! ;)

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 10:37AM]

WOW

all this new hardware and only one or two good first party titles... hmm.

now I just need see "little big planet"
and "home"
and "MGS4"
and "KILLZONE"
and "Heavy Rain" http://www.quanticdream.com/#rain (no news!? -sigh; Q3-2008)
and "FFXIII & vs"

then I can finally pick one up.

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 30th 2007 11:23AM]

I bought the original PS just so I could play WARHAWK and Twisted Metal. Had Warhawk been available during PS3's launch, I probably woulda bought the system at launch.

PS3 is starting to get good games but, the problem is, most of those games were already available on 360. Now, the gap will be tightened and manufacturers will be releasing ports on all systems simultaneously. MGS4 will be a killer app for PS3 and move systems.

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 11:46AM]

MGS4 is going to be the reason I "must" {have no other choice} have a PS3
anyone who witnessed the evolution from MGS2 to MGS3 just knows MGS4 is going to be great.
MGS4 is a "$500" game {worth the hardware purchase}.

I'm just disappointed in Sony for not taking more responsibility {or such a slooooooooow pace in making their console a success and they lost a lot of their exclusive deals.

Insomniac Games: right now the only reason to buy a PS3 for games.

[HineyWipe @ Oct 30th 2007 11:50AM]

Don't forget CoD4, Haze and Uncharted!

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 11:58AM]

HoneyWipe

COD4 isn't an exclusive {I think}

HAZE, and drake look awesome too though.

just waiting... -sigh

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Oct 30th 2007 10:43AM]

I think it's lol-worthy that when the Xbox 360 finally moved to 65nm chips, it was a big deal but when the PS3 does it, it's met with surprisingly little fanfare.

That being said, I want one.... Still. R&C is fun and MGS4 looks absolutely amazing. I don't let my jaw drop looking at videos very often, but those gameplay ones really got me drooling.

[Mike @ Oct 30th 2007 11:25AM]

That's because the 90nm PS3's don't boast an obscene failure rate.

[Paul Sorice @ Oct 30th 2007 11:07AM]

Little fan fare because it ran fairly cool already and doesn't RROD.

The xbox needs the lower power chip just to keep the damn box alive and shrink the power brick some (maybe).

[Chebwa @ Oct 30th 2007 11:07AM]

Probably because PS3s aren't failing all over the place. This wasn't as necessary, so it's not as monumental.

[Evan @ Oct 30th 2007 11:46AM]

The 90nm PS3's don't boast an obscene failure rate because half the PS3's guts is one giant heat sink! I wouldn't be surprised if the new version is noticably lighter.

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 1:08PM]

not to mention the PS3 P/S is not killing babies. {"we are Hellbent" ~ Steve Ballmer.}

the power consumption reduction is impressive in the PS3

wish I could find X360s with a "65nm" & "improved reliability / no 3-RED-LED-RING-O-DEATHing" & "Cooler, Quieter" stickers: so I could play "Mass Effect" {if it is 5 stars, I think it will be}

oh well looking forward to "Mario Galaxy"

[Silver R. Wolfe @ Oct 30th 2007 1:34PM]

Sorry, I guess I phrased it wrong. :P

I meant that it's so lol-worthy that there was fanfare, because of the high failure rate, on the 360.

[Broken Haiku @ Oct 30th 2007 11:24AM]

The PS3 is a lovely machine. I know, I have one. I also agree with that it still lacks a selection of good games to play on it. Most of it is "meh" right now.

But then again I recall the 360 having the same problem initially. I'm hoping Christmas and spring will bring some more good titles.

[mlody11 @ Oct 30th 2007 11:30AM]

Yes... but at what cost?

http://www.cepro.com/article/sony_loses_876_million_in_gaming_division_doubling_estimates/

Maybe they should look at improving other areas since this doesn't seem to be working for them...

[Pro Kid @ Oct 31st 2007 5:57PM]

Maybe you forgot that Microsoft has yet to make a dime off their gaming division. Not to mention the 1 billion they lost just to cover the failure rate of their faulty console.

[Sam Kerby @ Oct 30th 2007 11:48AM]

Um, i know i could just look elsewhere, but since i'm here, does the ps3s that play the ps2 games make the ps2 games look and run better than just the basic ps2 does?

[chris fredette @ Oct 30th 2007 12:18PM]

yes

[01 @ Oct 30th 2007 6:44PM]

Not this model, if I understand your question correctly. PS3 40GB=No backwards compatibility.

[thomas Logic @ Oct 30th 2007 11:58AM]

Superior hardware built for superior software. I know it is early and the PS3 is an easy target for lack of a lot of games but this no longer true. More choices exist on Play Station 3 than the xbox2 and the Play Station has only been out a year compared with 2 for the xbox2. Sure the number of games is larger on the second xbox than the PS3 but the quality of games and diversity still belongs to the Sony platform. To name a few : Eye Of Judgemt, MotorStorm, Heavenly Sword cannot be matched on any other platform. Well done Sony, always giving back to the gamers who help build the Home that Sony built. Can't wait for what is next.

[chris fredette @ Oct 30th 2007 12:54PM]

Are you serious? The games you mentioned are Ok at best. Sword last like 3 hours and Dirt is better than motorstorm, but that is on the 360 and the ps3 now. I will say it again, those games aren't even 1080p!!!!! It might not matter to most people including me with a 1080p TV(I just want good games) but I fail to see how the PS3 is superior to the 360 in any way other than the RROD thing and as a movie player.

[James @ Oct 30th 2007 12:32PM]

It would be easier to understand you without Sony's cock in your mouth.

They've got a CCG that you don't even need a console to play, a racing game, and an action game that by all accounts takes about 5 hours to finish? Call me back when you've got even a single GotY title under your belt.

[James @ Oct 30th 2007 12:11PM]

Ah crap, now there's actually a single tick in the "pros" column when you compare the 40 to the 20. I still think PS2 compatibility will probably be worth the difference. That, and the fact that you can still get 20s for substantially cheaper than 40s...

[matt @ Oct 30th 2007 12:14PM]

No one is using their PS3's to play games including me well I do play oblivion and Everyday shooter so they have less chance to fail at least with my 360 I play it everyday.

[timmy @ Oct 30th 2007 12:51PM]

The lower power consumption (and lower price) is actually a huge selling point for me since I'm at least as interested in the PS3 for it's media extender/Blu-ray/home theatre capabilities as I am for gaming. Quiet equipment is important when you're watching a movie or listening to music. I've been a fence-sitter for a while now but I'm probably going to pick up a 40GB PS3 around Christmas. It's not for everyone, I know, but it's perfect for me.

[dannyCage @ Oct 31st 2007 10:08AM]

same here

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Oct 30th 2007 1:20PM]

It's even quieter. Great!

As to it having a button battery now, it always had one. Take a look at the take aparts from day 1.

I'm kinda torn now. I love my BC 60GB, but I'd love to have a quieter, cooler and cheaper to run PS3 also. Reducing the power usage by 1/3rd is going to make a big difference.

[Mantelinho @ Oct 30th 2007 1:21PM]

I'll buy one as soon as it supports HD-DVD.

[SuperDre @ Oct 30th 2007 2:52PM]

Well, it sorta already does... just install linux on it and connect the MS HD-DVD addon to it.. hehe..

[blcskate @ Oct 30th 2007 3:46PM]

Why when HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are basically the same. Only Blu-Ray has more backers, larger capacity, better protection, HD Audio on much higher percent of movies, and outsells HD-DVD 2 to 1. Well I guess they aren't the same. Blu-Ray is better, but picture quality is the same.

[chris fredette @ Oct 30th 2007 1:34PM]

ALSO, the 40GB has only 2 USB ports. each usb port needs 500mA so they are saving a amp of power right there.

[badhack @ Oct 30th 2007 7:25PM]

Not exactly. That's 1A at USB voltage (probably 3.3V), not what's at the socket. Assuming 70% efficiency of the power circuitry, that's 1A*3.3V/.7=4.7W at the socket, or 4.7/120VAC=39mA.

[chris fredette @ Oct 31st 2007 11:40AM]

Yes, I just wanted to point out there ware other things that contributed to the power drop.
FYI USB is 5V, 500mA DC per port. I also think there is no memory card reader. A small thing I know but the little things can add up.

[Nate the Prophet @ Oct 30th 2007 1:57PM]

I'm totally getting this system!

It cuts the things I don't need, thereby cutting price. And then it ADDs a cheaper, quieter, cooler console
AND
Better wireless and BT range and functionality (remember the FCC page?)

I'm very happy. I'm planning on buying this next week :)

[initialsBB @ Oct 30th 2007 3:45PM]

I totally agree ! :) This is indeed good news after all, even though intial reports where overly pessismistic IMHO.

[Joey Geraci @ Oct 30th 2007 3:51PM]

The previous PS3 couldn't keep time when the system was off!? Really!!?? The PS3 has a lot of problems, but I really doubt that was one of them.

[CosterMonger @ Oct 30th 2007 5:01PM]

probably when it was off & unplugged

[Joey Geraci @ Nov 5th 2007 8:07AM]

Uhm, it shouldn't matter if it is unplugged. All motherboards have a special battery on it that runs the clock even when there is no regular source of power. I am sure the PS3 has this battery as well, which would mean it's clock would always function without external power.