Which PS3 should I buy?

[Kenshiin]

I'm finally going to get a PS3 but after doing a little research I noticed there have been 8 different models. Knowledge Center | Support | Playstation.com

It looks like I can only purchase the 160GB and the newest 80GB models in stores, so which one should I get? Is it worth it to get the larger size? What about the bundles, any good ones out there?

[richardd]

i wouldnt purchase the system because of the better/worse hardrive space. you can go to compusa or bestbuy and get a 200 gig 2.5 in hardrive and replace the one in the pS3 itself for like 90 bucks.

you're looking for the system with the most compatibility with older games/more usb slots/etc. i would get the newer generation, or the ones coming out with FFVII advent children that SE said they were gonna release.

edit: i meant the price in cost, and mixed up numbers lol. you can find em cheap on newegg too.

[Ragnell]

doesnt matter about size, Just make sure it has PS2 backwards emulation

[Diamicles]

doesnt matter about size, Just make sure it has PS2 backwards emulation

They don't produce any PS3 with backwards compatibility anymore...I think that it's been said that the MGS4 edition were the last ones made that way. Someone with a PS3 would have to confirm that for me.

[Talus]

They don't produce any PS3 with backwards compatibility anymore...I think that it's been said that the MGS4 edition were the last ones made that way. Someone with a PS3 would have to confirm that for me.

The backwards compatibility was with the "Emotion Engine" from the PS2 on the older models - I'm not sure if that ended was the MGS4 bundle or not. The newer models have backward compatibility as well but it's through software emulation, not having the chip on-board.

And swapping out the HDD is super easy. You remove a plastic panel covering it, unscrew it, and put it a new one. I got the 80GB motostorm bundle, and swapped out the HDD for a 250GB one. You just have to get a 2.5" SATA HDD (laptop size, basically).

[Diamicles]

The backwards compatibility was with the "Emotion Engine" from the PS2 on the older models - I'm not sure if that ended was the MGS4 bundle or not. The newer models have backward compatibility as well but it's through software emulation, not having the chip on-board.

That may have been the point of confusion for me. thanks for clearing that up.

[MoogleAura]

All the newer models don't have any backwards compatibility now. I got the 60GB PS3 when it launched in the UK just so I could have the backwards compatibility. The emulation device it uses to run them isn't that great, it's better to just play old games on your PS2. =/

Like Richardd said, just get the cheapest one you can find then buy a new HDD for it. I got a 250GB for around £55.

[Shojin]

Only the original NTSC launch 60GB and 20GB PS3's have hardware compatibility. The ones after that had software compatibility that ran about 80% of the PS2 games. The PS3's in production right now don't offer any compatibility.

I have a launch 60GB PS3 with compatibility, but the earlier models have a slightly higher chance at getting the Yellow Light of Death, so if you have a PS2 then it shouldn't be much of an issue to get the ones in production.

I bought a 250GB 7200 RPM Seagate Momentus HDD for my PS3 for about $60 and it works perfectly fine (the one inside my 60GB PS3 was a Seagate Momentus also, so I just stuck with the brand) No need to get higher than 5400 RPM though as the PS3 doesn't utilize it much at all, you'll only notice 1 or 2 second slightly faster installs etc.

My advice would be: Get the 80GB (all PS3's come with 1 year warranty from Sony, maybe longer store warranty depending where you buy it from), buy a larger HDD only if you need it, and install it. Installing a new HD will not void warranty and they made it extremely easy to do. Just be careful with the screws when replacing the HDD, they get stripped VERY easily.

[deathangel]

Amazon the only place that has been getting brand new shipments of the MGS4 PS3 bundle. i dont know why just them but if you want to the get a brand new one with backwards compatibility (software emulation) then go here.
Amazon.com: PlayStation 3 80 GB Metal Gear Solid 4 Pack: Video Games

[Kenshiin]

It's probably worth it to install a new hard drive from the start, right? Before I start filling it up.

Edit: I guess I should also ask what kinds of things will I be needing the download space for?

[Shojin]

It's probably worth it to install a new hard drive from the start, right? Before I start filling it up.

Most game saves are transferable and the PS3 has a backup utility so it doesn't matter that much, but it would be better to install the new one from the beginning, yeah.

EDIT: The download space will be for stuff like Downloaded games off the PS store (usually average between 100MB-1GB), Game Data for stuff like installs and game patches etc (You can delete these though when not using the game, but will have to reinstall or redownload patches if you do decide to play the game again), and game saves (which are usually very small, no bigger than a few MBs.)

Also any video/music content you download off the PS store or PS video store also. However, you can download anything that you've purchased off the PS store as many times as you want, if you don't mind re-downloading them.

[Kaisha]

MGS4 PS3 model (the 80gb one) has to be one of the better PS3 models that you can get your hands on (that and it comes with the bitchin' Metal Gear Solid 4) if you can't get the original NA launch systems that have the emotion chip built-in for PS2 emulation.

For me, 4 USB ports is a must (I don't know how 360 users live with just two), and some means of B/C. The software emulation I've not really had any problems with in my game collection of 50'ish PS2 titles, the only one suffering noticable issues being Jak X, and only frame-rate problems at that. It's also got the card-reader slots, albeit they're useless for the majority of us.

[Diamicles]

All the newer models don't have any backwards compatibility now.

The ones after that had software compatibility that ran about 80% of the PS2 games. The PS3's in production right now don't offer any compatibility.

OK, I feel a bit better now. I knew I remembered hearing this before on the boards somewhere.

[xopher]

go to ebay and get one of the older(good) ones.

[Headspace]

The 160g comes with Uncharted, why the fuck is this even a discussion?

[BRP]

I made my ass buy a MGS4 PS3, no way I was missing out on this.

You might not need to look online for an old PS3, but just some stores that are not likely to have sold out at some point.

[Julian]

For me, 4 USB ports is a must (I don't know how 360 users live with just two), and some means of B/C. The software emulation I've not really had any problems with in my game collection of 50'ish PS2 titles, the only one suffering noticable issues being Jak X, and only frame-rate problems at that. It's also got the card-reader slots, albeit they're useless for the majority of us.

May I ask what you use the usb ports for? >_> I've never used the ones on my 360.

I'm kinda thinking about getting a ps3, but probably will wait another year or so. Backwards compatibility probably will never matter to me unless someone hacks the ps3, cause a good portion of my ps2 library is burned games, so ps3 wouldn't play them anyway, so I'm gonna have to keep the ps2 around >.>

[Correction]

I use the usb ports to charge my wireless controllers. But I don't see needing to fill up all four ports at once under any circumstances.

Maybe if you were really really lazy and didn't want to unplug your fighting sticks while you charge your wirless controllers? I dunno.

[Ragnell]

I know a store that still sells 20gb and 60gb PS3s but no way in hell would i recommend buying from them because the prices is just fucking stupid


20gb Ps3: 599
60gb Ps3: SAME FUCKING PRICE

[Darus Grey]

I wish sony would make more of the 60gb hardware types and just charge more for them...they've made it clear they don't care about there being 500 versions anyways.