You could make the argument that system reliability has been the preeminent conversation of this console generation, but it's one often clouded by speculation and a lack of reliable information. Digital Foundry talked to Darren Thickbroom, an engineer for an independent console workshop, who offered a lot of revealing insight into the issue.
Thickbroom explained that the massive amount of heat generated by the HD systems -- exacerbated by high-end technology crammed into a small compartment -- contribute to their eventual demise (and all because you played on them so often). And like many "exclusive" games this generation, this is by no means constrained to one console. Though Xbox 360 failure rates are abysmal, Thickbroom noted that more PS3s have been appearing in his workshop. His gloomy prognosis? "It comes down to how much you play it. People might disagree with us, but this is the way we see it: if you handle the machines day-in, day-out with the issues they've got, I'd expect to change them every year."
We have the same rule for our underwear, so that part should be easy to remember.
Reader Comments (99)
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 10:57AM Nier said
I'm Mister Green Christmas, I'm Mister Sun. I'm Mister Heat Blister, I'm Mister One Hundred and One~~~
Frakking love that movie.
On topic: I hope the next generation of consoles learn from this generation's mistakes and are able to run with less problems/cooler temp. I miss the days of being able to play my PS2/Gamecube for zillions of hours at a time and not have any adverse effects (that I was aware of) to the console.
Reply
Frakking love that movie.
On topic: I hope the next generation of consoles learn from this generation's mistakes and are able to run with less problems/cooler temp. I miss the days of being able to play my PS2/Gamecube for zillions of hours at a time and not have any adverse effects (that I was aware of) to the console.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 10:59AM mr nimblewick said
Don't worry, Sony and Microsoft will take the Wii route next generation. Smaller, more efficient system with a small power boost, motion controllers included.
Reply
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:26AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Why is it that the Wii fanboys continue to beat that point to death? There isn't anything to suggest that Sony & Microsoft will offer a marginal upgrade of their current offerings next generation. I think a more likely scenario is that Nintendo will actually have a software suite on par with the HD consoles ... you know being able to launch system wide updates. The one thing the Wii is not is future proof.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:37AM whylekat said
I believe I said it's ON for 8 hrs a day.. Not I PLAY 8 hrs a day. I don't watch TV on the regular, just movies. So between gaming, netflix, downloaded videos or simple neglect to turn it off.. My 360 is on from about 7pm when I get home till the next morning when I turn it off before work. I often fall asleep to a movie streaming off netflix.
Geez, ya jerks.
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Geez, ya jerks.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:39AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
ummm dude he can have it on 8hours a day and not be playing a thing....my PS3 use to be on 24Hrs a day for over a year straight.....
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:00AM (Unverified) said
"We have the same rule for our underwear, so that part should be easy to remember."
And I shall now forever associate Joystiq writers with this guy.
http://fuzzybuzz.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/southpark.jpg
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And I shall now forever associate Joystiq writers with this guy.
http://fuzzybuzz.files.wordpress.com/2009/06/southpark.jpg
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:15AM Funkmaster General said
Scott Tenoman Must Die is a masterpiece.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:28AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
yea they all do....its just the way they HANDLE the heat....My PS3 lately has been kicking it off like nobodies buisness....I hope the fan doesnt give out....
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 12:07PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
I have a very hard time believing that the failure rates of the 360 and PS3 are similar. There is some truth to the statement that launch model PS3's can suffer from overheating issues. But, is it within the acceptable failure rate for electronics or is it on the same level of the 360's widespread and well documented failure issues? I don't think anyone will truly ever know the answer because neither Microsoft nor Sony have been forthcoming with their internal warranty and repair statistics.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 6:19PM (Unverified) said
If the ps3 failure rate was anywhere near the 360 it would have been recalled and at the very least would have had has its warranty increased to 3 yrs like MS.
There is no way the ps3 has suffered any where near the same failure rate, ill let the pictures do the explaining
ps3 (original) cooling:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_25.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_26.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_27.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_28.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_29.jpg
xbox360 cooling:
http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/no_cov.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/therm_removed.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/heatpipeHS.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/backplates.jpg
They say 1 picture is worth a thousand words that should be equivalent to a 9000 word essay explaining why the 360 cooling solution sucks..
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There is no way the ps3 has suffered any where near the same failure rate, ill let the pictures do the explaining
ps3 (original) cooling:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_25.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_26.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_27.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_28.jpg
pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2006/1111/ps3_29.jpg
xbox360 cooling:
http://images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/no_cov.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/therm_removed.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/heatpipeHS.jpg
images.anandtech.com/reviews/system/microsoft/xbox360/backplates.jpg
They say 1 picture is worth a thousand words that should be equivalent to a 9000 word essay explaining why the 360 cooling solution sucks..
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 7:51PM (Unverified) said
thanks wiizer, but the researcher is google, I cant take the credit lol.
I was trying to find the site that joystiq used to give the exploded outlay of the ps3 slim, couldnt be bothered to go back through the articles though, they should have some really nice exploded views of the 360 and ps3 original as well thought the slim was very nicely done.
Reply
I was trying to find the site that joystiq used to give the exploded outlay of the ps3 slim, couldnt be bothered to go back through the articles though, they should have some really nice exploded views of the 360 and ps3 original as well thought the slim was very nicely done.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:02AM (Unverified) said
Well I will say that my 60GB PS3 is still running strong but then again, I do not run it nearly as much as my 20GB 360 which RROD for the 2nd time on me in 3 years. I will say that my 60GB PS3 sounds like the 360 now when the fans are blowing after 20 mins of use and I hope I am not getting to the failure time for it.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 7:13PM (Unverified) said
I read through it and now feel dumber for reading through it and I feel even dumber for reading some of the comments that accompanied the article, to quote one:
--------QUOTE ------------------
Moz says:
"A little missleading on the PS3/360 comparison - of course an independent repairer is going to see more PS3's then 360s as most 360s get reapired by the 3 year warrenty."
Not really. 360s are generally older. Those that aren't being repaired under warranty, are most likely modded consoles. RROD machines will be repaired under the three year warranty.
The PS3, being younger, will have a high percentage being repaired under the 12 months warranty.
The fact that this shop sees a 60/40 split says volumes about the real problems out there, for BOTH consoles.
"If PS3 failures really were similar to 360 then there would be more people complaining about it. "
Two points:
1) PS3 fans are much more vocal on this issue. RROD is used by them as a rallying call, brought up in every single fanboy battle. Yet they are very quiet on PS3 failures.
2) Google "PS3 failure". You'll find a LOT of people complaining about their PS3 dying for one reason or another. And many of them are out of warranty, with the owners finding that they're up for some very high servicing costs.
-------END QUOTE ---------------
From some guy called womble,
According to this guy, we the consumer that are happy with our ps3's are willing to cover up the fact that our ps3 are yloding left right and center like this article is trying to claim so that we can claim the ps3 has less of a failure rate.. Now I dont know about you but that has to be the most retarded comment I have heard so far, that right there is called complete bullshit.
If my ps3 had issues and it died within 3 years of buying it, I wouldn't want to pay for it to be repaired it was a £500 console you retard, I may be a fan of the ps3 but I am first and foremost a fan of my wallet and my hard earned money..
Wow just wow the article once again shows just how pathetic eurogamer really is..
I know the ps3 isnt 100% reliable, but considering the components get just as hot as a 360 if not hotter its a run away success story compared to the 360.
Reply
--------QUOTE ------------------
Moz says:
"A little missleading on the PS3/360 comparison - of course an independent repairer is going to see more PS3's then 360s as most 360s get reapired by the 3 year warrenty."
Not really. 360s are generally older. Those that aren't being repaired under warranty, are most likely modded consoles. RROD machines will be repaired under the three year warranty.
The PS3, being younger, will have a high percentage being repaired under the 12 months warranty.
The fact that this shop sees a 60/40 split says volumes about the real problems out there, for BOTH consoles.
"If PS3 failures really were similar to 360 then there would be more people complaining about it. "
Two points:
1) PS3 fans are much more vocal on this issue. RROD is used by them as a rallying call, brought up in every single fanboy battle. Yet they are very quiet on PS3 failures.
2) Google "PS3 failure". You'll find a LOT of people complaining about their PS3 dying for one reason or another. And many of them are out of warranty, with the owners finding that they're up for some very high servicing costs.
-------END QUOTE ---------------
From some guy called womble,
According to this guy, we the consumer that are happy with our ps3's are willing to cover up the fact that our ps3 are yloding left right and center like this article is trying to claim so that we can claim the ps3 has less of a failure rate.. Now I dont know about you but that has to be the most retarded comment I have heard so far, that right there is called complete bullshit.
If my ps3 had issues and it died within 3 years of buying it, I wouldn't want to pay for it to be repaired it was a £500 console you retard, I may be a fan of the ps3 but I am first and foremost a fan of my wallet and my hard earned money..
Wow just wow the article once again shows just how pathetic eurogamer really is..
I know the ps3 isnt 100% reliable, but considering the components get just as hot as a 360 if not hotter its a run away success story compared to the 360.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:04AM (Unverified) said
@Wiizer
DId you read the whole article or are you going by the quote. RTFA for win before you start to look stupid.
Reply
DId you read the whole article or are you going by the quote. RTFA for win before you start to look stupid.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:16AM Faceless Troll said
Wait wait wait. You're telling us that too much heat can damage electronics? SURELY such a thing is impossible!
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:20AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
with the rash of 60GB PS3's getting YLoD the last 6 months I'd have to agree...makes me kind of glad that I didnt get a launch system and got eh 80GB motorstorm bundle....I mean I left my system on for a year straight aside from the restarts for the firmware updates and its still going strong....I mean I turn it off now that its out of warranty tho but its still doing good....I just hope Sony makes it so you can restore a backup from one system to another because if mine eventually kicks it I will lose locked gamesaves as well as have to redownload EVERYTHING from PSN....reinstall Disc games that I still play....it would be too much to go thru
Reply
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:27AM dogmaticatheist said
> with the rash of 60GB PS3's getting YLoD the last 6 months I'd have to agree
Evidence? Anecdotal evidence is not acceptable, so please no "I know 3 people with 60GB that YLOD" stories.
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Evidence? Anecdotal evidence is not acceptable, so please no "I know 3 people with 60GB that YLOD" stories.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:32AM (Unverified) said
You can copy from your ps3 to an external drive. Or if your ps3 breaks, you can take out the hardrive if it's salvagable. I'm planning on replacing mine eventually. I've only got a 40 gig.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:33AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
3 people??
Nah see there is a gaming community that I am a part of....VGEvo.com....a LOT of the guys there have launch model PS3s....and I'd say that starting since like February one after one would fail....over 30 people...one guy has 2 60GB models and both went.....ok sure thats no a LOT of people sure....but then I move over the the official PS Forums....and SHITLOADS of people there started to have to same issues around the same time.....starting from actually around last summer.....and these were NOT "N00Bs" they were guys that have been on PlayStation underground since '05 or before and had the post count to back up they werent just some lying trolls....my point is this....the shit happens a lot more than people know....I mean its not as high as the 360 numbers but it does happen....
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Nah see there is a gaming community that I am a part of....VGEvo.com....a LOT of the guys there have launch model PS3s....and I'd say that starting since like February one after one would fail....over 30 people...one guy has 2 60GB models and both went.....ok sure thats no a LOT of people sure....but then I move over the the official PS Forums....and SHITLOADS of people there started to have to same issues around the same time.....starting from actually around last summer.....and these were NOT "N00Bs" they were guys that have been on PlayStation underground since '05 or before and had the post count to back up they werent just some lying trolls....my point is this....the shit happens a lot more than people know....I mean its not as high as the 360 numbers but it does happen....
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:36AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
@legendary...I KNOW you can copy to an external HDD....but I only do actual backups for the most part.....my problem with copying is some Game Saves are LOCKED to the PS3 which means you cant just COPY them....the only way to back those up is via the Backup utility and that in itself is useless when your system dies and you send it back to Sony for repair only for them to send you a refurb which that backup wont even work on.....I have a 320GB HDD in mine now(about to upgrade to a 500GB since I only have 60GBs left...)
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:37AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
@Mr. Manly....included HDMI Cable??
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:46AM (Unverified) said
Locked saves? That's weak. So not all games have that, only some? Damn, I guess my advice was totally useless.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 11:47AM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
@MR.ESC
My 360 used to do that all the time. It was the weirdest thing because the screen would just flash black for like 1-1.5 seconds at a time. It hasn't happened on the PS3 but was a constant with my 360. I thought it was an issue with my TV and never heard anyone else say they had the same problem.
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My 360 used to do that all the time. It was the weirdest thing because the screen would just flash black for like 1-1.5 seconds at a time. It hasn't happened on the PS3 but was a constant with my 360. I thought it was an issue with my TV and never heard anyone else say they had the same problem.
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 12:00PM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
wow I didnt know that came with an HDMI cable....might wanna just get another one Mr. Manly....
and yea some games have locked save files....I can understand WHY they did it but they could have just locked them to the PSN account instead...
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and yea some games have locked save files....I can understand WHY they did it but they could have just locked them to the PSN account instead...
Posted: Aug 31st 2009 12:01PM aristokrat said
That symptom can definitely be HDMI dropped data. It happens to my computer occasionally (black screen or purple flash), and I don't know how to fix it. I have DVI-to-HDMI adapter cable, by the way. I've refused my graphics card heat sink, cleaned all the ports (both MB and external), and it still happens. Never happened before with this computer on a different monitor, and doesn't happen with this monitor when I hook my 360 up via VGA. I think it may be slight incompatibilities between different manufacturers' digital video data management or something, because I always hear stories about it only affecting a single connection out of many.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 12:15PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
Well it never happened to me before I got my Sharp Aquos. So, it seems plausible that it's a compatibility issue with how the TV/Monitor handle the video data. It could also be some kind of graphical failing with one of the devices/ports. I have no idea as I even updated the firmware on my TV at the time but could never figure out what caused the issue. Interestingly enough it also happens from time to time with my digital cable box only on high definition channels.
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Posted: Aug 31st 2009 1:31PM dogmaticatheist said
Either way, a handful of people on a gamer forum does not constitute a "rash" of failures.
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Posted: Sep 1st 2009 6:52AM (Unverified) said
not really just pull the hard drive and re insttall it to your new system
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Posted: Sep 1st 2009 8:25AM Chris DPSN AggieCEO XBLThe Aggi said
ummm dude...that WIPES the HDD...dont speak unless you know what you are talking about
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