80GB PS3 now available in some locations [update]

by Alexander Sliwinski on Aug 19th 2008 11:28AM

Update: Sony tells us that shipments of the "new 80GB PS3 started this week, and retailers can sell them as they receive the inventory." Go get 'em!

We're currently checking to see if they should be "officially" on sale, but it appears the 80GB PS3 models, with DualShock 3 included, are now roaming the lands of retail in some locations. The Sony Style store has a release date "on or about" September 1 for the SKU, and we've also been informed by some of our retail contacts that the model has arrived in their stores. The 80GB model costs $399 and replaces the 40GB model -- neither model features backwards compatibility.

As PS3 Fanboy points out, this means there are currently two 80GB PS3 SKUs available as the 40GB slowly fades away. The other version is the 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle at $499, with a copy of the game and limited backwards compatibility.

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Tags: PS3

Reader Comments (55)

Seriously,

1. just get the cheapest version
2. buy a 320gig HDD online
3. pop it in (yes it's that simple)
4. put the original PS3 HDD into an external casing
5. (requisite "???")
6. Profit (honking HDD in your PS3 and external HDD as a bonus)

Well it should be a 2.5" (laptop size) 5400 rpm drive.

Oh and if you are already using your PS3: there is a backup utility in the system menu.

Just attach an external USB HDD, hit backup, pop in new drive, hit restore and blammo: everything transfers over, right down to you downloads that were in progress.

Best of all, there's zero bitching about ownership or DRM crap.

Even then, those are pretty cheap.

http://scan.co.uk/Index.aspx?NT=1-0-18-429-0
And those are UK prices, so shave about 20-40% off for the US. Scroll down right to the bottom and marvel at the upcoming Fujitsu 500GB drive, which you could have in your PS3 for £110.

My thoughts exactly. You could get a 2.5" SATA drive at 320GB to 500GB for less than $150. Why worry about storage space or pay an extra $100 for 40GB?

I have a quick question - please bear in mind that I know nothing of internal components and whatnot.

Would switching out the hard drive on my 60GB PS3 affect the ability to play PS2 or PSX games? I'd hate to lose my backwards compatability just to have to avoid deleting stuff.

@ VidGuy

Now IF there was some kind of BC that would make paying extra worthwhile? Get to work Sony!

I just set up an external HD on my PS3 last night. It was kind of a bitch since I'm computer retarded but now I have 500 GB of video at my fingertips. I really couldn't be more pleased with the outcome.

jorojoserojas: I don't know for sure, but I'd say that won't be a problem.

jorojoserojas,

nope, it won't affect BC, I don't even think its voids the warranty...

But yah, it is really easy to change HDDs

Two FYIs to note for new/existing PlayStation3 users:

» Though a 320GB SATA2.5 'can' be inserted and used in the PS3, the PlayStation website mentions only up to 250GB was used from their tech and 500GB used externally. Not saying larger capacities can't be used (i.e., a 1TB external drive), but that's all they mentioned. Hopefully it was just stated as an example and not as the limit.

» BUYERS BEWARE!! Some eBay sellers and even a few of the online retailers/resellers have been selling their non-PS2 backward compatible PlayStation3 systems as 20, 60, and 80GB systems by simply swapping out the hard drives. Definitely look for visual clues & features of the console to spot a swapped system.
For example, if a supposed "60GB PS3" eBay auction has a picture of the device with only two USB ports in front and no Flash Card Memory port, it's obviously *not* a 60GB. "Shop smart, shop S-mart." ;]

@FOXHOUND

I saw a post just a day or two ago in the offical playstation forums where some guy reported that he put a 500 GB internal laptop drive and the PS3 was reporting over 400 GB of free space. So at least up to 500 GB apparently works fine.

@ Noshino

Correct, you're warranty WILL NOT be voided. Sony even gives you instructions on how to replace the HDD in the PS3 owners manual! I got a 160GB HDD for under $80 @ Newegg and it was a breeze to put in.

And if you have to send your PS3 in for repairs, they ask you to take your HDD out. Which suggests they don't mind you doing it.

If Sony had put a sufficient Blu-ray drive in the PS3 I wouldn't run out of space anytime soon. Why is everyone so perplexed by people who are unhappy with being forced to replace their HDD? The cheapest drive on Newegg is $55 for 160GB, and that's a game you could be playing instead (with some small hunting).

If they are going to require installs, 40gb is a little small... but 80 seems about right.

Maybe even 60 ;)

Yea I filled my 40 giger up pretty fast between game installs and demos and whatnot. Picked up a 160 for like 70 bucks. All is well.

I hope one day there's a PS3 as slim as the slim PS2 which plays PS1, 2 and 3 games. And has a terrabyte of solid state hard drive :P

"Well it should be a 2.5" (laptop size) 5400 rpm drive."

And SATA. Afaik you can go with a SATAII interface and 7200RPM. Don't remember which interface the PS3 uses, but a II should work.

7200RPM is possible from what I've heard, but not very useful apparently (and may add some noise to the otherwise very quiet operation of the PS Tres).

^ This was meant in reply to WiiFTW.

Ok I haven't been keeping up with the 7 billion models that Sony has been pumping out, is there currently no way to buy a PS3 with full on backwards compatibility?

So I presume, you've been able to keep up with Microsoft's 7 billion models?

When did this become a 360 discussion? Seriously I was asking a question. Are there any PS3 models that get full backwards capability currently being sold? I ask because I was hoping to pick one up soon, but if you want to turn this into a discussion on why fanboys are the single most fucking pathetic thing about the entire video game culture we could do that too.

Basically no

Thank you, now I know I have to keep my slim line PS2.

Only way to get a PS3 with full PS2 compatibility is to buy the original US 20GB or 60GB models used (or new if you are able to dig up a store that for some reason still have them in stock).

The partial compatibility is pretty extensive though, so if I where you I would just check out Sony's compatibility list for my favourite titles, and if they are listed just get the MGS bundle.

If you can locate one of the elusive 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundles you'll get a PS3 with PS1 and PS2 (via software emulation) backward compatibility. It's $100 more at $499, but comes with an awesome game and gives you the PS2 compatibility this new model lacks. Hurry and get it, because they aren't shipping any more of them and it looks like all models moving forward (including this 80gb core) won't have the PS2 compatibility.

Another option is to pick up a used 60gb on eBay and get hardware PS1 & 2 compatibility, but they run a little louder and suck more power.

I'd just keep the PS2...and hook it up to an SDTV in the process.

I think I'm going to pick up a 40g, keep my PS2 handy just in case and pop a bigger HDD into the PS3. Thanks for the info.

This is why I bought a MGS bundle a few weeks ago. I wanted to make sure I could get at least some backwards compatibility.

Give it some time, I'm sure they will eventually get full ps2 emulation going sooner or later. Wouldn't hold my breath though.

Danny, why get a 40 GB? Why not just get the new 80 GB that this blog post is all about? They're the same price with the same features, after all...

It's bizarre why Sony would drop one of their best features - HD emulation of the best-selling last gen console. I hope they reintroduce it in future.

I plan on getting a PS3 sometime in the future (possibly christmas). Correct me if I'm wrong, but is the only model that is currently available that has any backwards compatability the MGS model? If that's true, how long is the MGS model supposed to be available for? There are no plans to cut that SKU anytime soon, right? I really hope Sony realizes that people want BC just like they wanted rumble and come out with an SKU reminiscent of the original 60gb.

they're all backward compatable, just not all have ps2 compatibility

Well, Sony realized people wanted it, and then decided people didn't need it. So, you can find the older PS3's with BC or use the software partial BC of the MGS unit. Yet I would not expect them to come back around on the issue and make a new sku for the purpose of BC, nor would I expect the MGS sku to be around for all that long.

Since PS2 compatibility is the most relevant, that's the BC to which he was referring.

It does seem as though the MGS4 bundle is the only currently retail selling PS3 with PS2 BC.

Sony would be doing their customers a service if they could continue to improve it, though. My MGS4 bundle PS3 barely can play MGS3; any large outdoor areas (Groznyj Grad for example) run at a ridiculous 50% framerate.

@ simmcity

I don't think he was trying to take a shot at Sony, it is genuinly confusing. Especially since the SKU's are named by the size of their HDD despite the fact that many with the same HDD have different features. With Microsoft the only difference has been HDD and HDMI (and color, but that doesn't make a difference really), but the PS3 seems to be changing the number of memory/usb ports at random in addition to having a mixture of no, limited, and complete BC. I have a 360 already and plan on getting a PS3, so I pay more attention to PS3 SKU's yet I still feel more confused about them than I do about the 360 ones.

dammit, this was intended to be under the line of comments replying to danny... damn the flawed comment system

As a person who simply doesn't care for PS3, this really is confusing. So are we down to 40,80 and 120 now? With 20 and 60 being outta picture?

Actually its even easier than that. Providing you buy a new system you have two options. One with PS2 compat, Memory card readers and 4 USB ports or on without PS2 compay, memory card readers and 2 USB ports. Both with an 80GB harddrive.

All other options are no longer sold from Sony, and can only be gotten used. Also there has never been a 120GB model apart from the (insert disk size here) models people can make themselves by buying any 2.5" drive and replacing the original.

???

No, we're basically down to 80. That's it. However, there's 80 with B/C, and 80 without B/C. Correct me if I'm wrong though...both support B/C for the PS1. The current 40 is being replaced by the 80, and I'd imagine that the current 80 will eventually fade out as well, and we'll be left with just one model...the way it should have been in the first place with both consoles!!!

All PS3 consoles released thus far(including this new one)can play PS1 games.

Even if they get rid of BC, I wish they'd at least keep the card readers and all the USB ports. =/

Actually thats what I think they're gonna do, 80 gig core (with same function as 40 gig), then like 160 gig Pro (with same function as the current 80 gig).

Wow, no BC.

Guess that means it's a bad idea to sell my PS2 (which I love more than the PS3)

No wonder PS2 slims are still selling for $100 and over.

Which is clearly why Sony isn't in a hurry to replace BC in their PS3s.

That ancient PS2 hardware equates to damn near pure profit for them, and they don't want to reintegrate it into a more expensive system (PS3) when it would slow the sales of their 'bottled air' (PS2).

I don't buy that. Or if that is their reasoning, they're fools.

The profit potential from a PS3 sale is far higher in the long run. Owning one opens up the possibility of sales of both PS3 *and* PS2 games, and for a much longer period of time (with the PS2 going defunct within the next couple years). If they don't want to sell PS3s, why are they making them?

On top of that, cutting B/C takes away one of the major incentives for PS2 owners to upgrade to a PS3. Without it, they have no reason to choose a PS3 over a 360.

And dropping B/C doesn't even save them much of anything in manufacturing costs, as Jack Tretton himself said. So wtf are they doing? I really don't know.

Why on earth do people keep going on about B/C?
I have a B/C compatible PS3, yet still use my PS2.

You know why? MEMORY CARDS!
You want to start all your old games again from scratch?
Plus its nice to have the old fella around, standing ready, gathering cool retro-ness. He doesn't want to be consigned forever to the attic.

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