PS3:Buying Guide
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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.’’’
<colgroup> <col style="width: 23%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> </colgroup> <thead> </thead> <tbody> </tbody>| 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===
<colgroup> <col style="width: 23%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> <col style="width: 15%" /> </colgroup> <thead> </thead> <tbody> </tbody>| 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===
<thead> </thead> <tbody> </tbody>| Model | Description | CPU/RSX Sizes | Default HDD Size | Motherboard | MinVerChk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CECHL | The original third generation fat console. Many CECHL NOR chips are |