810°

Newer PS3's move to 128MB Flash from 512MB, HDD Storage Used

We recently purchased a new 80GB PlayStation 3 console, and our very own PS3 Dev Courier dissected his new system.

The item that peaked his interest the most was that it had one single 56-pin Flash chip, the S29GL128N90TFIR2, and was 128MB in size in contrast to older PS3 consoles utilizing dual (2x256MB) 48-pin chips totaling 512MB. So, he bought a new adapter, and some blank chips and proceed to pull the 56-pin flash, and dumped it.

Dump findings at source.

Sharingan_no_Kakashi5698d ago

Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Will it or will it not change the way games are made and or played?

Charlie26885698d ago

According to the article and some peoples speculations (that I could find commenting on it) its a dual measure in both cost saving since apparently the 512 memory was overkill and for potential future antipiracy measures since now many of the sensible PS3 files that were only stored in this memory have been split between the now 128 memory and the HDD

ShinMaster5698d ago

I'm guessing it's better, using less RAM.
512MB does seem like it was draining the PS3.

uie4rhig5698d ago

is that the older ps3 used to have a flash memory of 512MB (2x256MB) for the firmware and other necessary ps3 software.. now tho, they only have one flash memory of 128MB.. which they found weird, so they tried to dumb the contents of the chip, and only 16MB came out, after 'formatting' the chip and rewriting it with the dumped data, and restarted the ps3, worked fine but it asked for a pup file (playstation update file)..

so they guessed that from now on the PS3 stores only the base (kernel i guess) on the flash memory.. if this is true, it doesn't change anything for coz you will have everything the same ;)

anh_duong5698d ago (Edited 5698d ago )

i am no expert but these might be the reason:

1. saves money
2. makes it harder to brick since only the really basic operating system loader is in flash. if the main systems screws you just need to reset the hard drive.
3. a trend in moving the system functions onto the hard drive as the ps3 gains more functionality. updates to ps3 firmware is on a piece meal basis - like installing addons instead of reflashing the whole chip which has its inherent risks of bricking.

znu5698d ago

as long as it doesn't change anything major it doesn't make a difference

but does this affect linux in anyway?

drewdrakes5698d ago (Edited 5698d ago )

ShinGino - This isnt RAM, its flash memory. The portion that holds the firmware.

znu - This doesnt affect linux, its the PS3's firmware. It means that the firmware is 16MB large, plus it needs that extra file. 512MB of storage for the firmware was overkill. That is my understanding of what this means.

cherrypie5697d ago

" if this is true, it doesn't change anything for coz you will have everything the same "

Not true.

Reading the system from the HD will take longer than reading it from the Flash.

Boot-times and/or returning to XMB will take longer.

uie4rhig5693d ago

but i doubt the difference will be that big.. tho .. it might still be noticeable..

+ Show (6) more repliesLast reply 5693d ago
Zip5698d ago

well I suppose its good, it wont change the games graphics ect, but it will deliver faster loading time, faster steaming of textures ect.

correct me if im wrong

Lumbo5698d ago (Edited 5698d ago )

you are wrong

This is only related to the FIRMWARE storage space, lets say the BIOS of the Ps3

Older models have 2 256mb flash chip for the firmware, the new 80gb models seem to have a single 128MB flash chip.

This has zero impact on games or anything related, as to be expected from a hacker page ...

actually it seems that the firmware was moved from the flash rom to the hdd for either cost reduction or security reasons.

cherrypie5697d ago

"but it will deliver faster loading time"

No. Exactly the opposite. Reading the OS (XMB) from the Flash is faster than reading it from the Harddrive.

"This has zero impact on games or anything related,"

I disagree (to a degree). This will not impact gameplay -- no. It will impact the time it takes to load the XMB from ending a game, or from start-up.

It will now take longer, reading from HD is slower than reading from the Flash that has been removed.

Fux4Bux5698d ago

I'm pretty damned sure this is just for the base Operating System. Nothing to do with gaming. Just didn't need so much space.

Shadow Man5698d ago

Im glad I haven't bought a ps3. I'm waiting for the right moment.

SonySoldierEternaL5698d ago

^

keep waiting

while 15+ million consumers enjoy their purchase on a daily basis

bouncybullet5698d ago (Edited 5698d ago )

Wanna buy a 40 GB model off me?

It doesn't have Backwards Compatability.
The multiplats look the same/mostly worse on it.
And you'll be able to play LittleBigPlanet.
You won't have to pay $1 a week for online gaming.
They just added a Video store after seeing 360 do it for a much longer time.
It has the same system specs as 3 year old Xbox except the PS3 has a cell processor that nobody knows how to use yet other than Hideo Kojima.
(It can handle very long cutscenes which is what Heavy Rain is going to be.)

It's been used for MGS4, Uncharted, and a weekend rental Heavenly Sword. Plus numerous demos which I've used only to research how Multiplats look the same or better on 360.

But if you want to wait until that "unlocking of the hidden untapped power of the cell" thing happens, thats fine.

theKiller5698d ago

is it a fact??

any way whether its true or not, sony is only making the ps3 better, and it should be compatible all previous games!!
the only thing that they did backwards was ps2 compatibility!!

any way i dont believe this news! if its true then sony will use much more flash memory from the hard drive which they can use up to x*1GB of RAM

Show all comments (86)
110°

7 Deserving Games That Never Got Backward Compatibility

Backward compatibility works for many games on newer consoles, but titles such as The Simpsons: Hit and Run have been left out.

90°

20 Best Survival Games of All Time

From base building to swinging willies, here are the best survival games around, which include a couple of less than obvious picks.

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Vader821d 4h ago

No 7 days to die is criminal

210°

Microsoft once tried to nab LittleBigPlanet from Sony after a few drinks

It turns out that many moons ago, Microsoft once had its eye on the Sony published LittleBigPlanet series.

Read Full Story >>
eurogamer.net
XiNatsuDragnel4d ago

Microsoft had a good idea but fumbled it again.

Cacabunga2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Project Spark idea was decent but they quickly gave up ..
LBP was wonderful

ApocalypseShadow3d ago

Microsoft in a nutshell. Always tried to poach Sony employees, games, 3rd party games and devices like the depth camera that was turned into Kinect but was running on PS2 before Xbox 360. Wouldn't be surprised they wanted LBP. Just like they worked behind the scenes pushing the MLB to bring Sony's baseball game to Xbox instead of making their own.
https://www.playstationlife...

They didn't spend years trying to develop their own baseball game. They wanted Sony's game.

They're scum.

Zachmo1822d ago

Microsoft didn't force MLB on Xbox. MLB gave Sony 2 options either go multiplat or risk losing the license.

Rynxie2d ago

And why do you think MLB said that? I believe Ms approached MLB.

ApocalypseShadow2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Totally ridiculous comment.

The only exclusivity Sony had was to their own creation of The Show. Microsoft could have paid the MLB for the license just like Sony did and made their own baseball game.

Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox. They're worth 3 TRILLION dollars. You think that's not enough money to make their own baseball game? Don't be delusional.

Microsoft spun it like they always do and told the media that they had to trust Sony with their hardware. After they put Sony in that position of not having a choice. Either go multiplatform or stop making one of their successful games. That's a no win scenario.

And what did Microsoft do? They didn't try to sell the game to the Xbox community. They put it on game pass to hurt Sony. Pushing the idea of why buy games that are $70 when you can play them in their cheap service for $10. It was a dirty tactic.

You fell for the Kool aid drink Microsoft served you instead of spitting it out. Hope it tasted good because you were fooled by Phil and the gang.

2d ago
Hereandthere1d 22h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

Bond revealed that MLB The Show “always came up” in conversations between Microsoft and the Major League Baseball organization. “We always said, ‘We love this game. It would be a huge opportunity to bring it to Xbox.'” she recalled. However, when Microsoft’s efforts materialized, it put the company in an awkward situation where it had to send in pre-release consoles to a rival company.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 1d 22h ago
Notellin2d ago

"Microsoft instead, groomed MLB for years in trying to poach Sony's game and bring it to Xbox."

Take a nap, conspiracies are rotting your brain.

2d ago
Hereandthere1d 22h ago

Xbox executive Sara Bond has told Axios that Microsoft spent a number of years trying to get MLB The Show onto Xbox consoles. And when it finally succeeded in breaking off PlayStation’s long-held exclusivity, the company had to “trust” Sony with pre-release Xbox Series X/S consoles.

ApocalypseShadow1d 8h ago

Lying to yourself is unbecoming.

Article link tells you all you need to know in Sarah Bond's own words.

Hereandthere1d 22h ago

They were too cheap/inept/lazy to develop their own mlb game, so they port begged for years and bribed the mlb to make the show multiplatform. Like i said many times, xbox brought nothing to the table their 24 years, ZERO.

ApocalypseShadow1d 8h ago

At least you and others get it. Note drank the Kool aid and asked for seconds thinking it was refreshing.

Most don't even know how it all played out but it's there in black and white for all to see. Microsoft brought it up for years until the MLB forced Sony's hand. It was a win win for Microsoft. Kill one reason to buy a PlayStation or kill the game by dropping it in a cheap service to kill Sony's sales numbers on PlayStation.

OtterX2d ago

"However, Healey said Media Molecule wouldn't have felt right doing that, adding it would have been "morally corrupt"."

Major kudos to Media Molecule for being an upright studio with principles.

Cockney1d 3h ago

They chose well, Sony gave them the backing to pursue their dreams with no restrictions even tho their games especially dreams have very niche appeal. Media molecule and Sony deserve respect for this in an age of risk averse publishing.

RNTody2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Great, more stories like this please. Show the last of the zombies holding the line what we've been saying for years: Microsoft is anti competition, anti industry and has no interest in making games at all.

But hey, at least there's an Xbox Games Showcase to look forward to, right?

Inverno2d ago

Well considering SONY just killed the series, LBP would've been dead by now either way. Though MM probably wouldn't exist by now either, so I'm glad they stayed with SONY, hopefully they don't get shut down any time soon or ever honestly.

Inverno2d ago

They shut down the servers, that's millions of user created levels gone. That and dead are pretty much the same, it's also been years since 3 and they cancelled HUB soooo.

2d ago
fsfsxii2d ago

They shutdown the servers because no one was playing, no one in the community cared about the user created levels so why keep them up? Wtf you guys would never succeed in running a business.

Inverno2d ago

Yea dood no one was playing so they shut off the servers. Cause people with enough common sense can't just Google why they were actually shut of, right?

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