Tabulator: Comparing the PlayStation 3 SKUs

by Christopher Grant { Aug 26th 2008 at 8:00AM }

So, you know how this works. Sony releases yet another PS3 SKU and, suddenly, you're tasked with keeping the entire lineup in order. Which one comes with HD compatible cables? (Spoiler alert: none). Which currently shipping model has PS2 backwards compatibility? (Spoiler alert: none). But it's not all bad news. Want to know which models are packing the cooler, quieter 65nm chips? Or which models come with free stuff? It's all in here. If there's anything we've missed or anything we've gotten incorrect, please let us know in the comments. We're quite certain this won't be the last time we update this table.

	160GB	80GB	80GB	40GB	60GB	20GB

Hardware
Model #	CECHP01	CECHK01	CECHE01	CECHG01	CECHA01	CECHB01
Available	Nov 2008	Aug 2008	Aug 2007	Oct 2007	Nov 2006	Nov 2006
Price	$499.99	$399.99	$499.99*	$399.99*	$599.99*	$499.99*
Chrome trim	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
USB 2.0 slots	2	2	4	2	4	4
802.11 b/g	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Flash card reader	No	No	Yes	No	Yes	No
Size (Cell / RSX)	65nm / ?¹	65nm / ?¹	65nm / 90nm (built 2008) 90nm / 90nm (built 2007)	65nm / 90nm²	90nm / 90nm	90nm / 90nm
Bundled Accessories
Ethernet cable	No	No	No	No	Yes	Yes
Video cables	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite	Composite
Software	Uncharted, PAIN	None	MotorStorm	Spider-Man (Blu-ray)	None	None
Backwards Compatibility
PS2	No	No	Software³	No	Yes (NTSC), Software³ (PAL)	Yes
PS One	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Notes:
* This model is discontinued. The price on the chart represents the original retail price.
1. PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall; New 80GB PS3 may be sporting 65nm RSX to match 65nm Cell
2. 40GB PS3s have 65nm Cell chips, 90nm GPUs
3. SCEE: No plans to offer PS2 backwards compatibility later as DLC for 40GB PS3

Tags: Tabulator

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)

Scooge @ Aug 26th 2008 8:13AM

Glad I got my MGS4 80gb bundle before they pulled BC completely!

anonim1979 @ Aug 26th 2008 8:44AM

No BC in new versions at all?
So - new 80GB and 160GB are simply most basic gutted 40GB versions (2USB, no BC, etc.) only with bigger HDDs...

"Video cables: Composite"
That should be RED marked.
It complete FAIL to add 480i lowest quality possible analog cables to HD console.

DrXym @ Aug 26th 2008 9:55AM

They're not quite the 40Gb models because they have smaller Cell processors, which in turn means smaller PSU and heatsinks. When somebody cracks one open you may well find that the mainboard and supporting components like heatsink are completely different. The Japanese White PS3 had entirely different and much smaller board than the 40Gb model so it may more resemble that.

I'm still annoyed Sony haven't stepped up with a slim model. It must be entirely feasible to do it yet another year will slip by without it.

Brandon @ Aug 26th 2008 11:14AM

Yup, BC is completely gone. Though they'll more than likely put in software emulation in a firmware update once the PS2 sales start to die down.

MatsJn @ Aug 26th 2008 11:59AM

That just means I'll have to hang on to my PS2 a little longer. In fact I'm considering trading in my old Playstation2 and get a used PSTWO at the game store to get a newer (and quiter) console.

Lucas @ Aug 26th 2008 3:11PM

I feel bad for all those that missed out on the MGS4 bundle. Seems like a steal now. They need to put up that stats for that bundle.

CJLopez @ Aug 26th 2008 1:23PM

And this is why I keept my PS2!!!!

Man, i love than slim look on it

phinn @ Aug 26th 2008 3:32PM

Yea it's a shame Sony didn't add PS2 BC to all systems via software by now. It's certainly hurting their sales a bit (and annoying customers a bit). I think I played a PS1 game once in my PS3. But basically it's not a huge deal since I have PS2 anyway. I sure as hell would be nice if they added software BC to them all by the holidays. Sony is the one that start BC with PS2 after all.

Mike Chase @ Aug 26th 2008 3:42PM

I HEAR YOU!! I think we bought the last available PS3's (new with warranty) ever. We rock!

WeZz @ Sep 28th 2008 6:21AM

I payed $822 for the 80MGS4 bundle a few weeks ago. and i thought $599 was alot for the launch.funny thing is I still feel lucky to have found one lol. If u think its impossible to find in North America try finding one in PAL territory.

MGS4+Dualshock3+PAIN are pretty much the icing ontop.

Vault @ Aug 27th 2008 8:55PM

My PS2 coughed up it's guts and died 2 years ago (it was the original model) but then I got a 60 gig when the price dropped 100 dollars to make room for the new 80 gigs, so it's all good. Some PS2 games have an INSANE amount of jaggies, notably Final Fantasy XII, but otherwise it's pretty good/

Night Elve @ Aug 26th 2008 8:17AM

Proud owner of a 60 GB SKU :D.

skoolfool @ Aug 26th 2008 8:21AM

60GB FTW!!

Erwos @ Aug 26th 2008 8:33AM

Seriously. I have a feeling my 60gb PS3 will hold value way better than any of those new 80gbs will.

Drew @ Aug 26th 2008 10:16AM

Same here. Except they didn't include Talledega Nights as bundled software. Fix it!

SoCoolCurt (PSN: KillaKornbread) @ Aug 26th 2008 10:42AM

proud 60GB owner here too. man i almost went broke when i finally broke down and bought it but boy am i glad i did given the current events. i remember the exact day i bought it too, August 15, 2007, cause thats the day i usually start football.

the 60GB is by far the best PS3 they had. they should have a high value later on too since they are probably pretty rare now.

Aaron @ Aug 26th 2008 12:16PM

60GB represent! Best model of them all. I only hope nothing ever happens to it so I don't have to get a stripped down replacement from Sony.

Does anyone know what happens if your 60GB craps out? Do you get the replacement parts or a whole new (less capable) system?

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Aug 26th 2008 2:01PM

From what I've heard, yes, that's exactly what they do. Better hope it doesn't die, eh?

Xoviet chiK @ Aug 26th 2008 8:27AM

My 80GB Motorstorm Bundle came with an Ethernet cable.

The_Black_Circle @ Aug 26th 2008 8:40AM

yep, it does.

The_Black_Circle @ Aug 26th 2008 8:41AM

It certainly does.

TheBasslineFiend @ Aug 26th 2008 10:35AM

Mine too!

Ott @ Aug 26th 2008 11:48AM

i was wondering the same thing when i read that ya mine came with an ethernet cord but a 4 foot cord doesnt really do anything

jcruz83 @ Aug 26th 2008 2:44PM

The 80 id come w/ an ethernet cable. A nice one at that, much better than the 360's cable. As a whole, the 80 motorstorm/mgs4 system was and still is the best value.

Jack of No Trades 85 @ Aug 26th 2008 8:34AM

I wish my damn 40gig PS3 had BC so I could play those good PS2 games.

I they took it out because of the PSN Store. Now we have to buy all of our old games again :(

j.howlett @ Aug 26th 2008 9:41AM

if they get ps2 games on psn to work they need a software emulator that should work like ps1 games, disk and downloads. what makes you think they're in a hurry to "force" people to repurchase games when they barely put up ps1 games?

BPMOmega [gamertag] @ Aug 26th 2008 2:11PM

YEAH, WHAT NERVE THEY HAVE FORCING YOU TO BUY ALL YOUR OLD GAMES AGAIN.

Wait, we're talking about Sony, not Nintendo? Gasp!

Should've bought a CECHA01 (60GB), CECHB01 (20GB), or CECHE01 (original 80GB), man.

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 26th 2008 8:35AM

I bought my 20GB on launch and I can say I'm a very satisfied owner. I upgraded the hard drive of course to 120GB, but some things like WiFi or Media Card Reader I don't need because I like gaming on a solid connection, and I use my iPod as my removable disk. Not to mention it looks sexy in black :P

That chart needs a little editing though. The 20GB and 60GB first 500,000 units in North America came with Talladega Knights on Blu-Ray.

Ayrkain @ Aug 26th 2008 9:27AM

Yep, it was Talladega Nights... personally I was trying to block that out.

Dark Prince @ Aug 26th 2008 8:35AM

Just got me the $399 80 GB version yesterday. Can' wait to get into the greatest hits titles.

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 26th 2008 8:35AM

Albanian_Killa @ Aug 26th 2008 8:36AM

Sorry for the double post.

ptuck874 @ Aug 26th 2008 8:36AM

glad i got my 60 gig years ago!

George @ Aug 26th 2008 8:37AM

You are wrong.

The first 80gb DOES have memory card slot readers, jesus get it right.

Eoco @ Aug 26th 2008 8:48AM

Might be a typo there: the CECHE01 flashcard reader is green, but says 'no'.

You have confused me so much, I don't know my head from my hand...or something like that.

il_duce620 @ Aug 26th 2008 9:17AM

I'm sure you must be confused. Joystiq never makes mistakes like that :-)

(I noticed that, too...)

rockstargodzu @ Aug 26th 2008 8:57AM

My 80GB came with an ethernet cord, it was black. I think the MGS4 bundle came with different stuff than the other bundled editions.

mrwhitethc @ Aug 26th 2008 9:00AM

What happened to the MGS Bundle PS3? It's 80GB, has a flash card reader and 4 USB Slots.

daddycool @ Aug 26th 2008 9:01AM

I hate Sony for this. I'm thinking about going to ebay and selling my 40GB and try to find an old 60GB. They should have just put God of War 2 on PS3. Also, I heard there was a limit to self upgraded Hard Drives? Is is 160?

Ayrkain @ Aug 26th 2008 9:35AM

I have a 250, and I've heard of 320's also. So, no, 160 isn't the limit.

Kola @ Aug 26th 2008 10:09AM

I have a 320 in mine.. don't know where you heard that crap...

hawk_r @ Aug 26th 2008 10:11AM

Got a 320 in my 20GB launch unit. :)

Vidikron (FU) @ Aug 26th 2008 10:10AM

I have a 320 in mine and it works fine. There actually some people on the official Playstation forums that have put 500 GB laptop drives in their systems and have reported that they work fine as well.

The Aggie CEO @ Aug 26th 2008 10:19AM

ummmmmmmm no limit....as long as the HDD is a 2.5" notebook drive that is not to thick then it will work........

I've got a 320GB drive and will have a 500GB one when they make one that fits......

Ralph @ Aug 26th 2008 9:01AM

I'm very disappointed with the drop in backwards compatibility. I was waiting to get a PS3 because there weren't enough games to warrant the purchase but now, I just don't want it anymore without being able to play my PS2 games.

Kola @ Aug 26th 2008 10:12AM

maybe you should get a 360 then and keep your ps2..

crowt14 @ Aug 26th 2008 9:02AM

i'm loving my 60gb sku, with a newly installed 320GB drive, it kicks even more ass.
I'm in ps2/psone/ps3/PSN-download/music/video/photo heaven without worrying about drive space. Oh, and the fact that this thing plays my AVCHD video directly from my camera is the icing on the cake. I use to ignore the PS3 for my Wii and 360, but it is getting the most love lately.

Rygy @ Aug 26th 2008 9:02AM

Do all of the ps3's really play ps1 games!

I have the 40 gig one and it doesn't play ps2 games so i figured it wouldn't play ps1 games.

Please some one confirm this for me, I've been dying to play final fantasy Vii, Viii, Chrono Cross, and tons of other games!