PS3:Buying Guide

This page serves as a reference for the pros and cons of each model of PS3. This is all objectively based recommendations, with no bias for the appearance of the console. Acronym definitions can be found on the FAQ page.

===First Generation Fat Consoles===

’‘’BE WARNED THAT ALL FIRST GENERATION FAT CONSOLES HAVE A VERY HIGH YLOD RISK: PROCEED WITH CAUTION IF YOU COMMIT TO BUYING ONE.’’’

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Model	Description	CPU/RSX Sizes	Default HDD Size	Motherboard	MinVerChk
CECHA	First PS3 console released. Features full hardware PS2 backwards compatibility (EE+GS) alongside four USB ports, two 128MB NAND flash chips, multiple card-reader ports, and the ability to play SA-CDs. Released in the U.S and East Asia.	90nm RSX & 90nm CELL BE	60GB	COK-001	1.00
CECHB	Lower-end “budget” CECHA. Came with a 20GB HDD, no card readers, and no WiFi capabilities. Also only released in the U.S and East Asia.	90nm RSX & 90nm CELL BE	20GB	COK-001	1.00
CECHC	First console to see one of its PS2 hardware backwards chips (EmotionEngine chip) removed and instead have an emulated placeholder PS2 CPU. First PS3 to be released worldwide, except the U.S and East Asia.	90nm RSX & 90nm CELL BE	60GB	COK-002	1.00 / 2.30
CECHE	Refresh of the CECHC, but with an upgraded HDD. In some cases, the CECHE might have a COK-002W motherboard, indicating that it has been refurbished. Released in the U.S and some parts of Asia.	90nm RSX & 90nm CELL BE	80GB	COK-002 or COK-002W	1.00 / 2.70 / 3.40

• A good way to distinguish first generation fats is by looking at the front of the console and seeing if the silver lining above the disc drive has reflection/is chrome. If it does, it is a guaranteed first generation fat.

===Second Generation Fat Consoles===

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Model	Description	CPU/RSX Sizes	Default HDD Size	Motherboard	MinVerChk
CECHG	First console to have the PS2 backwards compatibility chips completely removed, as well as two USB ports, the card reader ports, and the ability to play SA-CDs. Due to poor heatsink design and removal of the front intake vents, this model is very likely to suffer from YLOD unless modified for bigger intake vents. First PS3 to be released globally. Some CECHGs, if refurbished, can come with a DIA-002 motherboard. Avoid this console.	90nm RSX & 65nm CELL BE	40GB	SEM-001 or DIA-002	1.90 / 1.97 / 2.30
CECHH	First console to use a 16MB NOR flash instead of two 128MB NAND ones.	90nm or 65nm RSX & 65nm CELL BE	40GB	DIA-001	1.97 / 2.30
CECHJ	First console to feature a 65nm RSX.	65nm RSX & 65nm CELL BE	40GB	DIA-002	2.30
CECHK	Rebranded CECHJ.	65nm RSX & 65nm CELL BE	40GB	DIA-002	2.16 / 2.30

===Third Generation Fat Consoles===

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Model	Description	CPU/RSX Sizes	Default HDD Size	Motherboard	MinVerChk
CECHL	The original third generation fat console. Many CECHL NOR chips are