The PlayStation 3 technical specifications describe the various components of the PlayStation 3 (PS3) video game console.

Central processing unit

The PlayStation 3 is powered by the Cell Broadband Engine, a 64-bit CPU co-developed by Sony, Toshiba and IBM. It includes a 3.2 GHz PowerPC-based Power Processing Element (PPE) and seven Synergistic Processing Elements (SPEs). To improve manufacturing yield, the processor is initially fabricated with eight SPEs. After production, each chip is tested, and if a defect is found in one SPE, it is disabled using laser trimming. This approach minimizes waste by utilizing processors that would otherwise be discarded. Even in chips without defects, one SPE is intentionally disabled to ensure consistency across units. Of the seven operational SPEs, six are available for developers to use in games and applications, while the seventh is reserved for the console's operating system.

The Cell processor achieves a theoretical maximum of 204.8 GFLOPS in single precision floating point operations and up to 15 GFLOPS double precision.

The PS3 has 256 MB Rambus XDR DRAM, clocked at CPU die speed. The PPE has 64 KB L1 cache and 512 KB L2 cache, while the SPEs have 2 MB local memory (256 KB per SPE),Supporting OpenMP on Cell , IBM T. J Watson Research connected by the Element Interconnect Bus (EIB) with up to 307.2 Gbit/s bandwidth.

The Cell processor was initially produced on a 90 nm process. It was shrunk to 65 nm in 2007, and to 45 nm in 2009.

Graphics processing unit

Graphics processing for PlayStation 3 is managed by the RSX Reality Synthesizer, developed by Nvidia and paired with 256 MB of GDDR3 video memory. The RSX graphics processor can output resolutions ranging from standard-definition (480i/576i) up to high-definition (1080p).

The GPU is clocked at 500 MHz and makes use of 256 MB GDDR3 RAM clocked at 650 MHz with an effective transmission rate of 1.3 GHz. The RSX has a floating-point performance of 192 GFLOPS.

The RSX was initially fabricated on a 90 nm process. To help resolve reliability issues and to improve efficiency, it received a node shrink to 65 nm in 2008, to 40 nm in 2010, and to 28 nm in 2013.

Configurations The PS3 received several component revisions which served to reduce power consumption. This in turn resulted in production savings, lower heat production, lower cooling requirements and quieter operation. Since launch, the Cell processor shrank from 90 nm to 45 nm. The RSX GPU also saw reduction in size over periodic revisions of the PS3.

Major improvements were introduced with the PS3 Slim. It utilizes a 45 nm Cell which results in a 34% reduction in power consumption over the previous 65 nm Cell model; the last Slim model further decreases power consumption with the move to a 40 nm RSX and later 28 nm on the CECH43xx models.

Generation Storage Encoding Model CPU process GPU process PS2 compatibility Front USB Power supply 1st 60 GB NTSC CECHAxx 90 nm 90 nm rowspan="2" 4+flash 380 W 20 GB CECHBxx 4 2nd 60 GB PAL CECHCxx rowspan="2" 4+flash 80 GB NTSC CECHExx 4+flash 3rd 40 GB PAL, NTSC CECHGxxCECHHxx 65 nm rowspan="11" 2 280 W 40 GB CECHJxx 65 nm 80 GB CECHKxxCECHLxxCECHMxx 160 GB CECHPxxCECHQxx 4th "Slim" 120/250 GB CECH20xx 45 nm 250 W CECH21xx 40 nm 230 W 160/320 GB CECH25xx CECH30xx 200 W 5th "Super Slim" 12/250/500 GB CECH40xx 190 W CECH42xx CECH43xx 28 nm

Model numbers On all models of the PS3, the last seven characters of the serial number make up the console's model number. This begins with "CECH", followed by a letter indicating what model the system is. The last two characters of the model number indicate what region the system is from.

Model Capacity Release Regions CECHAxx 60 GB November 2006 CECHBxx 20 GB November 2006 CECHCxx 60 GB March 2007 CECHDxx 20 GB colspan="12" CECHExx 80 GB August 2007 CECHFxx 80 GB colspan="12" CECHGxx 40 GB October 2007 CECHHxx 40 GB October 2007 CECHIxx 40 GB colspan="12" CECHJxx 40 GB August 2008 CECHKxx 80 GB August 2008 CECHLxx 80 GB October 2008 CECHMxx 80 GB October 2008 CECHNxx 80 GB colspan="12" CECHOxx 80 GB colspan="12" CECHPxx 160 GB October 2008 CECHQxx 160 GB April 2009 CECH20xxA 120 GB September 2009 CECH20xxB 250 GB October 2009 CECH21xxA 120 GB March 2010 CECH21xxB 250 GB March 2010 CECH25xxA 160 GB July 2010 CECH25xxB 320 GB July 2010 CECH30xxA 160 GB July 2011 CECH30xxB 320 GB July 2011 CECH40xxA 12 GB October 2012 CECH40xxB 250 GB September 2012 CECH40xxC 500 GB September 2012 CECH42xxA 12 GB June 2013 CECH42xxB 250 GB June 2013 CECH42xxC 500 GB June 2013 CECH43xxA 12 GB May 2014 CECH43xxB 250 GBMay 2014 CECH43xxC 500 GBMay 2014

Connectivity

+Supported resolutionsResolutionRegionCompositeS-VideoComponentD-TerminalHDMI480iNTSC480pNTSC576iPAL576pPAL720pNTSC / PAL1080iNTSC / PAL1080pNTSC / PAL

In terms of audio, the PS3 supports outputting up to 7.1 digital audio over HDMI in several codecs including AAC, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD Master Audio and LPCM at 44.1, 48, 88, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz. The PS3 slim features an upgraded HDMI chip that allows bitstreaming of lossless codecs to an external receiver, earlier versions had to decode the signal internally before outputting it via LPCM.

In the early 60 and 80 GB configurations, flash memory can also be used, either Memory Sticks; CompactFlash cards; or SD/MMC cards. All models support USB memory devices; flash drives and external hard drives are both automatically recognized. However, they must be formatted with the FAT32 file system.

Early systems (20, 60, and NTSC 80 GB configurations) were equipped with four USB 2.0 ports at the front of the console. All other configurations had just two.

For networking, all models provide one Gigabit Ethernet port, Bluetooth 2.0 support, and except for the original 20 GB configuration, built-in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi.

Physical appearance +ModelDimensions (when laid flat, width × height × depth)WeightOriginal ("Fat")SlimSuper Slim The PlayStation 3 retained the same basic design across its three major hardware revisions, featuring a black plastic shell with a convex top when placed horizontally, or a convex-left side when oriented vertically.

The original ("Fat") model used glossy piano black plastic and featured a logo inspired by the font used in the 2002 Spider-Man film, also produced by Sony. According to PlayStation designer Teiyu Goto, this logo was one of the first design elements selected by SCEI president Ken Kutaragi and helped shape the console's overall aesthetic, which had a glossy piano-black finish and touch-sensitive power and eject buttons.

The font would be abandoned at the introduction of the "Slim" revision in favor of an updated version of the PS2 logo with more curved edges, which was also quieter and more compact than its predecessor.

The "Super Slim" model weighs approximately 25% less than the "Slim" due in part to the slot-loading Blu-ray drive being replaced with a top-load disc reader similar to the original PlayStation's, but with a sliding cover.

Power supply All models of the PlayStation console series are equipped with a universal power supply capable of operating on AC input voltages ranging from 100 to 240 V at either 50 or 60 Hz. The original models use a standard IEC 60320 C14 inlet, paired with a region-appropriate C13 power cord. Later revisions, including the "Slim" and "Super Slim" models, utilize a smaller C8 inlet and a corresponding C7 power cord.

The initial internal power supply was rated at 380 W (although power draw only ranged from 170 to 200 W during use), but this was gradually reduced in subsequent hardware revisions, reaching a rating of 190 W in the final "Super Slim" model.

Disc drive The PlayStation 3 features an optical disc drive that supports multiple formats, including Blu-ray, DVD, and CD. Region coding is enforced for applicable media types, and support for certain formats vary by hardware revision. Additionally, the console can play back discs with compressed audio files in the MP3, WMA, and ATRAC formats, images in the JPEG format, and videos in the MPEG-4 format.

Blu-ray With Blu-ray discs, the drive has a maximum read speed of 2× (72 Mbit/s or 8.58 MB/s).

Supported formats include: PlayStation 3 BD-ROM BD-ROM BD-R BD-RE (version 1.0 not supported) BD-J (available via firmware update)

DVD With DVDs, the drive has a maximum read speed of 8× (86.4 Mbit/s or 10.3 MB/s).

Supported formats include: PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM (early models only) DVD-ROM DVD-R, DVD-RW DVD+R, DVD+RW AVCHD DSD Disc Super Audio CD (early models only)

CD With CDs, the drive has a maximum read speed of 24× (29.49 Mbit/s or 3.51 MB/s).

Supported formats include: PlayStation CD-ROM PlayStation 2 CD-ROM (early models only) CD-ROM CD-R, CD-RW CD-DA

Official accessories

The PlayStation 3 Sixaxis is a controller that is very similar in appearance to that of its predecessors, the DualShock and DualShock 2. The SIXAXIS features finer analog sensitivity; more trigger-like R2 and L2 buttons; a PS ("home") button; and a USB mini-B port for charging the internal battery and for wired play. The PlayStation 3 supports up to 7 simultaneous controllers over Bluetooth. The Sixaxis is named for its ability to detect motion in the full six degrees. The Sixaxis controller which has "Sixaxis" printed on the front of the controller above the charging port, and to the right, does not vibrate.

At its press conference at the 2007 Tokyo Game Show, Sony announced the DualShock 3 (trademarked DUALSHOCK 3), a PlayStation 3 controller with the same function and design as the Sixaxis, but with vibration capability. Hands-on accounts describe the controller as being slightly heavier than the standard Sixaxis controller, and capable of vibration forces comparable to the DualShock 2. It has "DualShock 3" printed on the front right of the controller; in the place where the previous models had "Sixaxis" printed. And "Sixaxis" is now moved to the lower front right of the controller, below the "DualShock 3" printing.

The PlayStation 3 Memory Card Adaptor is a device that allows data to be transferred from PlayStation and PlayStation 2 memory cards to the PlayStation 3's hard disk. The device has a cable that connects to the PS3's USB port on one end, and features a legacy PS2 memory card port on the other end.

Using Bluetooth, the PlayStation 3 BD Remote allows users to control videos and music on Blu-ray Disc and DVD. In Japan, the device was available starting December 7, 2006. The PS3 will accept signals only via its Bluetooth Remote, as the console does not have an infrared receiver; this prevents the use of universal remotes with the system. The Blu-ray Disc movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby was included with the initial 400,000 release copies of the PS3 in North America, while the first 500,000 European PlayStation Network activations after launch received a free copy of the Blu-ray release of Casino Royale.

On April 25, 2007, Sony announced the PlayStation Eye. This is an updated version of the PlayStation 2 peripheral, the EyeToy. The camera is capable of capturing 60 frames per second video at 640×480 resolution and 120 frame/s video at 320×240 resolution. The four-channel microphone on the Eye can block out background noise. The camera supports live video chat and voice chat without a headset, and was launched in the United States on October 23, 2007, for US$39.99, and in Australia on November 8, 2007, for A$79.95. It was also bundled with the card game The Eye of Judgment released in the United States on the same day as the camera itself for US$69.99, and in Japan and Australia on October 25, 2007, for JP¥9,980 and A$159.95, respectively.

Official PlayStation 3 HDMI and Component AV cables are also available for retail.

Backward compatibility