PS3: Let there be vents
by Christopher Grant 
{ May 14th 2006 at 6:45PM }
When Sony first unveiled the PlayStation 3, everyone wondered in unison, "Where's the vents?" If this thing was half as powerful as they were claiming, the box on display until this point couldn't have been more than just a prototype. Sure enough, the final form factor revealed at E3 has one major difference: vents! Placed on the right side, they will allow for proper ventilation in both hortizontal and vertical configurations. Phew, glad we can put this one to rest.
(Update: Check out this thread for a great side-by-side comparison of the newer, well perforated PS3 enclosure and the older, ventless one. Thanks, David)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
GuyMnaDude @ May 14th 2006 6:48PM
And God said let there be wind, after which he turned on His PS3.
GuyManDude @ May 14th 2006 6:52PM
Geez, messed up my own name.
Ianc02 @ May 14th 2006 6:52PM
Looks like the ventilation system of a small skyscraper. Wow. Should keep the machine cool enough.
Chris @ May 14th 2006 6:53PM
Looks like it could be the first console that can be used effectively as a cheese grater.
dsub @ May 14th 2006 6:59PM
that's a lotta vents. wonder if it'll be louder than the 360?
alex @ May 14th 2006 7:00PM
This can't be right!
Joystiq, those must be speedholes.
You know, to aid in the Fourth Dimensional Rendering.
Also, check out the 'definitions' on Urbandictionary.com for the Ps3...pretty funny.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=ps3
"sony playstation 3, it was released @ E3 2005, looks like a fridge door with dildos as controllers
hey look, timmys got a fridge door and 2 dildos, whatafreak"
raymond @ May 14th 2006 7:00PM
*gasp* those bastards stole nintendos's idea of putting vents on a console...lol
Hiro Protagonist @ May 14th 2006 7:01PM
First comes the PS3 grill: http://www.ps3grill.com
And then came the PS3 grater as Chris well put it.
Ciryon @ May 14th 2006 7:19PM
The PS3 i supposed to be as quiet as the slim PS2
ivanv4 @ May 14th 2006 7:23PM
If u see the picture the vents in the upper part of the PS3, are just in the same place of the Blue ray drive.
I wonder if the location of the drive is not going to interfere with the proper ventilation to the whole system.
The New Revelation @ May 14th 2006 7:24PM
The main reason why the PS3 is so big is that it's power supply is internal. If anyone has looked at ab Xbox 360 the only reason why it's as "small" as it is because it's power supply is external. The Xbox 360 power supply is GIGANTIC.
http://www.ubergizmo.com/photos/xbox-360-power-supply.jpg
http://www.fraggerock.com/?p=396
When I first opened my Xbox 360, I was wondering why the hell they gave me a giant black brick. I had no idea what was going on. It's like big black brick; same size, same weight.
The PS3's power supply will melt your PS3. The Xbox 360's power supply will burn down your house. Pick one. :)
twism @ May 14th 2006 7:34PM
This PS3 is going to be huge. I wonder how Japanese people will be able to carry this thing back home to their car and into their house? Oh well, not my problem. Nice vents.
Einhanderkiller @ May 14th 2006 7:41PM
12. "This PS3 is going to be huge. I wonder how Japanese people will be able to carry this thing back home to their car and into their house? Oh well, not my problem. Nice vents."
Are Japanese people supposed to be weaklings who can't even carry an 11 pound object or something?
Phant0m @ May 14th 2006 7:46PM
that thing could ventilate my house and probably provide the heating
alex @ May 14th 2006 7:46PM
13. 12. "This PS3 is going to be huge. I wonder how Japanese people will be able to carry this thing back home to their car and into their house? Oh well, not my problem. Nice vents."
Are Japanese people supposed to be weaklings who can't even carry an 11 pound object or something?
I will hire a sherpa to haul it to...wherever...I would put...that....at.
DetoX @ May 14th 2006 7:54PM
i was hoping the whole system was gunna be glossed over just like the psp
elmer @ May 14th 2006 8:00PM
There's been a lot of rumours going around about how the PS3 can't fit in its current configuration + power supply inside the box, particularly when compared to the Xbox, but there is an explaination:
65 nm. All Cell processor prototypes to date have been manufactured on 90 nm processes (so far as I know). So have all 360 CPUs and GPUs. In the next few months Sony should juuuussst be able to squeeze out 65nm CPU and GPU chips (half the surface area per component) at yields high enough to prevent them going bankrupt. Moreover, it makes their chips much smaller, less energy demanding, cooler, and if they can handle errors in the chips (which is a feature the designed redundancy of an SPE accounts for) cheaper too. Basically within a relatively short time period, the only element costing Sony a significant amount more than Microsoft is blueray, and that should also come down quickly with volume. There is however a real differece between Cost to the manufacturer, and Price to the consumer. It's difficult to beat the richest company on the planet when they don't mind losing billions.
In relation to the vents, lower power means a smaller transformer. Smaller transformer + lower power = less heat. Less heat = smaller ventilation and smaller fans. Internalised transformer also means it can make use of the system's ventilation: The 360 transformer needs its own fans. Smaller transformer + smaller chips + smaller consolidated fans + smaller vents = Sony getting away with it.
Yes, the whole thing is just about feasible. It's also probably a major reason the system isn't already available.
Hiro Protagonist @ May 14th 2006 8:07PM
Wii man, you should stop.
No, really.
Its bound to end horribly. Horribly horribly.
Just saying.
The ZeroCorpse @ May 14th 2006 8:14PM
Wow. Just... Wow.
wii man really is a wee man.
alex @ May 14th 2006 8:15PM
wii man is amazing.
I'm laughing.
On the inside.
Geist @ May 14th 2006 8:15PM
#11: "The PS3's power supply will melt your PS3. The Xbox 360's power supply will burn down your house. Pick one. :)"
Hmm. The way Sony likes to gouge my wallet, I'm trying to calculate which would cost more.
Hiro Protagonist @ May 14th 2006 8:15PM
Sigh...
You really want your IP banned and email shown to the spammers out there don't you?
You will be signed up for beastiality porn you know?
Don't say I didn't warn you, because I told you so.
new*allusion @ May 14th 2006 8:19PM
Yep the vents are there now for proper ventilation (well... dur!), more interestingly Sony's press release for the PS3 claims that:
"For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2."
PDF- http://www.scei.co.jp/corporate/release/pdf/060509c.pdf
The slim-line PS2?! I'll believe it when I hear/see it.
The internal power supply thing has been confirmed by a Sony Japan spokesperson in an interview translated on ign, although, as you can see he doesn't really explain the absence of the core version's HDMI port(s) that well. See PS3 IGN for more.
An apparantly running prototype of the PS3 was at E3 in a few private demo rooms and without an external power supply unit, it is mentioned here:
http://psinext.e-mpire.com/index.php?categoryid=20&m_articles_articleid=546&PHPSESSID=55bdfdbfdf0743aec473797532902f06
and, for Japanese readers, here (towards the bottom of the page with pictures):
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20060511/rt003.htm
And having the PSU inside the console would definitely explain the crazy weight of the thing.
Jouten Za @ May 14th 2006 8:21PM
wii man is Uwe Boll!
TestType @ May 14th 2006 8:28PM
Why did they put the power supply inside the unit? I tell you its never a good idea. It adds quite a bit of bulk and generates a huge amount of heat. I can promise you the PS3 will be one noisy sucker if it's gonna stay cool.
Pretty Obvious @ May 14th 2006 8:31PM
Apparently Sony thinks having the PS3's power supply internal is a good thing. According to an interview I read on IGN. Here is a funny excert.
"Finally, one bit of controversy cleared up. IT Media closed up the interview by asking Kawanishi if the PS3 has its power source built into the system, like the old PS2 model, or if its separate from the system, like the slim PS2 and the Xbox 360. "It's of course internal," responded Kawanishi. "It's better that way. We of course do things the good way."
Is it just me or does Sony seem very arrogant..
V @ May 14th 2006 8:46PM
@ #7, I never even saw vents on the Wii, so maybe the vents are the one original thing on the PS3. lol
V @ May 14th 2006 8:48PM
Hey, if you can use the PS3 as a cheese grater, the Wii-mote as a dull knife, and the 360 power adaptor as a hotplate, you could get a free kitchen w/ $1250 worth of game consoles!
Khash @ May 14th 2006 8:49PM
"It's better that way. We of course do things the good way."
I don't know why you guys want Sony to go out of the video game business. They're hilarious!
Anyway, I personally wouldn't mind an external power supply and I'm actually a little shocked that it is internal. Oh well, at least it will look nice sitting on my living room floor.
V1L3 @ May 14th 2006 8:53PM
#26: ISN'T it better that way? I can't think of any significant advantage in having the power supply external. As someone else mentioned, having it internal means it benefits from the system's internal cooling. I think it's a bit ridiculous when, aside from having to put up with the turbine engines on the Xbox 360, you can't just leave the power supply on the carpet - you're supposed to keep it off the floor, suspended between two other objects. Is it me, or does that seem a tad ridiculous?
If they can keep the power supply internal and avoid overheating issues, AS WELL as keeping the noise of the system down to PS2 levels, I will be VERY impressed. I will also eat my hat. Actually make that: I will also go out and BUY a hat, THEN come home and eat it.
Having the power supply separate is a bit of a cheap trick to make the system appear smaller. Sure, the Wii looks diminuitive, but it's likely the power supply will be about the size of the console itself, if the GameCube is anything to go by.
James Smith @ May 14th 2006 8:59PM
With regards to internal/external power supplies, external is better because if for some reason the power supply breaks, instead of buying a whole new console or mailing it in for repairs, you just replace the adapter.
raymond @ May 14th 2006 9:36PM
#30 "I think it's a bit ridiculous when, aside from having to put up with the turbine engines on the Xbox 360, you can't just leave the power supply on the carpet - you're supposed to keep it off the floor, suspended between two other objects. Is it me, or does that seem a tad ridiculous?"
you dont have to have it suspended....ive had mine sitting on the floor (carpet) since i got my 360 back in december and have never had a problem
Eric @ May 14th 2006 10:22PM
James-
If your internal power supply breaks...chances are the rest of the components aren't going to be working in tip top shape either.
And am I the only one that has always noticed that the PS3 has had vents? Prototype pictures have always had vents on one side (either on the R or L side, I don't remember).
The only difference now is that theres a helluva lot more of them all over the PS3, in front, in back, on the bottom, on both sides!
I can't wait for Joystiq or others to make videos of the guts of the PS3 when they get their hands on it...(that is, those brave enough to rip open a $600 piece of hardware.)
I'm so damn curious to how they fit all that crap into it.
nojok3 @ May 14th 2006 10:45PM
"This PS3 is going to be huge. I wonder how Japanese people will be able to carry this thing back home to their car and into their house? Oh well, not my problem. Nice vents."
Are Japanese people supposed to be weaklings who can't even carry an 11 pound object or something?"
The Japanese public likes small things, nothing clunky.
The PS3's power supply will melt your PS3. The Xbox 360's power supply will burn down your house. Pick one. :)"
It will melt your PS3, THEN YOUR HOUSE. Do you enjoy a long painful death? The Xbox 360 gets my house burned down quicker, kthx.
LongshotX @ May 14th 2006 10:53PM
One of the ugliest consoles ever made. Offering wireless dildos for controllers and the console looks like the next George Foreman grill. Made by a company (Sony) that puts spyware in their music CD's that makes peoples computers vulnerable to virus'. Sony also has ilegally advertised their PSP in Chicago by paying someone to make graffiti drawings about the PSP on city walls without permision. Also demostrating anti-360 propaganda by paying its Koyeo employees to spread rumors about the xbox 360 freezing, scratching discs etc. Sony is one of the most dishonest companies, they're are always using disgusting business tactics to bring down their more honest competitors such as Sega. There is always a big gap between what Sony says about their consoles, and what they actually show (such as E3, when they used a computer to make those graphics and say it was their PS3. Sony says other consoles break and explode, but dont mention that over 3 million of their sold PS2's broke, or the fact that a majority of their PSP's have an extremely low battery or dead pixels on the extremely sensitive screen that Sony charges $100.00 to repair.
John: Hey I got me a PS2
Larry: Sweet I got a PSP
John: Cool, but mine isn't working
Larry: Mine has a couple of dead pixels and scratches on the screen.
John: Did you try getting yours fixed?
Larry: Yeah, but Sony wanted me to pay $100.00 to get it repaired.
John: Yeah me too!!!
Larry: Should we still get a PS3?
John: Nah, the controllers look like dildos.
LongshotX @ May 14th 2006 11:01PM
The Japanese claimed the 360 was big and ugly. The PS3 has to be the size of a skyscraper. Japanese people live in two story pizza boxes, are on average 5'2", and are submerged in their own nationalistic fanaticism. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating but these people do live in apartments smaller than some Projects. PS3's just doesn't do enough to warrant it's size. I should be able to serve as a stove, dishwasher, time machine, and a robot maid. It does none of these things...shame shame.
Eric @ May 14th 2006 11:11PM
LongshotX...
Erm...Interesting rant considering the topic was vents on the official PS3.
Apparently you are one of the unlucky few who buy ANY product, and get a lemon.
Theres always the story of the majority (I'm one of them) that gets a perfect product. I've been using my PS2 since it came out. I've had more than a few 24hr marathons with it poorly ventilated (GT4 endurance race anyone?)and nothing has gone wrong.
I also found it interesting that you think Sony is the devil giving the impression that you think Sony's competitors (you mentioned Sega, but they aren't really competiton anymore) are helpless, kind, saints of gaming that simply want to spread games and love.
I think if you try to educate yourself a little more, you'll find that any successful business of any kind is out to sell product. Businesses usually make decisions around what is best for the business, which may or may not be better for the consumer. If you're going to slam Sony for their business practices or ethics you might as well slam everyone that is successful on an international scale.
ill trooper @ May 14th 2006 11:13PM
...And this is somehow different from the extreme amount of 'holes and heat' the 360 ships with?
By the way, Longshot, a reported 3 million PS2s breaking is a lot, but it's only a reported 3% failure on a console that shipped 100 mill and counting. Accepted by companies for an electronic device's standards:
"Microsoft has said that Xbox 360 return rates are within the normal 3 percent to 5 percent average for consumer electronics products."
http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/2006/05/the_unluckiest_.html
But thanks for your 'beginner's screenplay' homework project. Been on the internet lately? Sony chickened out and didn't go 'DILDO' style... They stuck with the ol' beast. Seems the whole 'Internets Hate the Dildo' thing was really taken to heart by Sony - not only did they drop the dildo shape, they even chickened out on the 'vibrating' function!
Personally, I'm buying a PS3. I own every system and it's not stopping with that one... See, I got a problem - I'm a VIDEOGAME fanboy, and I'm excited about all the 'Next Gen' systems. One down, two to go - I'm just glad it's staggered so I have time to collect aluminum cans and sell lemonade all summer to afford all of this.
David @ May 14th 2006 11:30PM
Woops posted my comment in the wrong post
Check out this thread on Sony's forums, somone made a nice side by side comparison set of the old and newer console.
http://boardsus.playstation.com/playstation/board/message?board.id=ps3&message.id=358886&view=by_date_ascending&page=1
Also you can see they added a LOT more vents then the first model.
Eric @ May 15th 2006 12:23AM
Good post David...
Damn, I don't care what anyone says about its size, I like the "official" PS3 better actually...I don't know what it is about all those vents..kinda gives it a more rugged industrial look, instead of being completely smoothed over and designed strictly for aesthetics.
Now it looks like it actually does something instead of just lookin pretty, I like that.
Now if only the controller and price were more appealing, whoa, Sony might actually have an industry defining market share leader on their hands.
kay @ May 15th 2006 12:42AM
J Allard Called It. The 2005 version was fake as hell. No vents. That J is one smart dood.
bobeotm @ May 15th 2006 12:47AM
I'm with Eric, I like the new and improved beefy PS3 over the original industrial design. There is something very agressive and cutting edge about the final design, even though its only subtly different from the original.
Having the power supply internal has its advantages. It reduces clutter, and you dont have to worry about where its placed (the 360 supply can cause some serious harm if it is placed next to something that is sensetive to heat). Having it internal does mean the device is bigger, it doesn't get to pretend its the smaller option like the 360. If one put the power supply inside the 360's case, it would easily be larger than the PS3's final case. So the claim that the 360 is smaller should be put to rest, because it would only be smaller if you choose not to have a functioning system.
It seems that the ps3 will be better cooled if it is vertical, since it will allow heat to rise out of the system instead of pushed out horizontally.
mario @ May 15th 2006 3:19AM
Well, Looks like the Ps3 Will be a George Forman Grill after all:P , but the reason i think so is because the CPU, and GPU + PSU will all make it extremely HOT.
Sony will have to start shipping out ps3's with external PSU and face public ridicule. The drive might be quieter, but with all those vents i predict a 2yrs trouble free drive untill dust and hair starts to collect inside.
Miles Teg @ May 15th 2006 10:20AM
"....Looks like it could be the first console that can be used effectively as a cheese grater..."
So maybe the PS3 is not just a computer; Blu-Ray player; Games console; web browser; music/media entertainment centre...... Its also a bloody cheese toastie machine. I mean it looks like a cross between a BreadBin & a Toastie maker, with a grater on the side.
If only it made love, then I could chuck out my more expensive misses ;))
Miles Teg @ May 15th 2006 10:43AM
When Sony say "the PS3 will blow you away" they mean it.
Miles Teg @ May 15th 2006 10:49AM
You power-up you PS3 and........
http://www.worth1000.com/emailthis.asp?entry=203567
Jaxspider @ May 15th 2006 11:17AM
Did you guys notice there are far less usb ports on the back side of the crippled version?
Derbeste @ May 15th 2006 11:30AM
And behold, there were vents. And God saw that they were good.
And the day and vents were called "a day late and $500 short".
And God rested....and played Wii.
Robotic House Plant @ May 15th 2006 3:47PM
So is the grey model two colors? Black and grey?
x23 @ May 15th 2006 4:12PM
#33
"If your internal power supply breaks...chances are the rest of the components aren't going to be working in tip top shape either."
hmm. i doubt it. i've had plenty of devices have their power supplies crap out in various ways. both internal and external. of the dozens of times i've seen that... i am really really racking my brain to think of a *single* time the "rest of the components" had a single thing wrong with them.
aethestically i'd prefer an internal PSU. but functionally i'd prefer an external PSU.
speaking of aesthetics... it *is* possible to design vents that actually look decent. the PS3 is very much NOT an example of that however.