Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

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jandrogo
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Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by jandrogo »

I am considering seriously buying a PS3 now that prices of second hand consoles are really low.
I jumped the new console generation train from x360 to PS4, and never had a PS3 previously

I have read about the yellow lights the first version had and the reliability problems, so only considering slim and super-slim as I am not interested in retro compatibility

Which of both is quiter? Both are same reliable? are there any other facts to consider?
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kamiboy
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by kamiboy »

Compared to the slim, the super slim is ugly as deuce, and feels cheap.
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broken harbour
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by broken harbour »

I've had a Fat model since 2009 with no issues at all.

Slim's are nice and quiet, and to some, prettier.

Super Slims just feel chintzy, avoid them if you can.
ZellSF
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by ZellSF »

The hate for the super slim is so weird. I tend to look at the screen when playing video games. Not the console.

Also: chintzy, feels cheap? Thought this was a technical forum.

About noise, I can't say for super slims, but the disc drive noise on the latest slims is terrible. The first slims supposedly have a higher failure rate.

I'd take whichever is cheaper of a superslim or a 2500 series slim. I'd look into a modable one so disc noise worries can be eliminated entirety.
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broken harbour
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by broken harbour »

ZellSF wrote:The hate for the super slim is so weird. I tend to look at the screen when playing video games. Not the console.
Also: chintzy, feels cheap? Thought this was a technical forum.
So? My consoles are in my living room, I see them, other people see them, I want them to look nice.

Same reason I'm such a cable management Nazi.
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bobrocks95
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by bobrocks95 »

The super slim's weird plastic sliding disc tray door should be proof enough that it's made as cheaply as Sony could manage. The door on my friend's rattles when you slide it over.

Curious to hear from more people on drive noise from the slims though, I'd never heard any complaints there before.
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cfx
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by cfx »

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Last edited by cfx on Thu May 29, 2025 7:14 am, edited 1 time in total.
ZellSF
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by ZellSF »

2000/2100 series are the first slims.

Disc noise similar to Dreamcast and not terrible... Now there's an incompatible statement.
And I thought it was a forum where people had a modicum of respect for others' opinions.
Not poorly formulated and vague opinions in an advice thread, no.
HydrogLox
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by HydrogLox »

I don't get the hate against the CECH-40xxx - but then again I don't have to look at it when I'm not using it - it goes back in the box.
With the pre-CECH-40xxx models I would always be concerned that:
  • the disc loader motor dies (or seizes up).
  • and that there would be a game disc in the drive when it does so ...
For me it's always been about the games - not the consoles (though admittedly I'm no fan of the Xbox 360E).

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 89#p973889

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 16#p996316

http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.ph ... 62#p996462
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Triple Lei
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Triple Lei »

Had my 2nd fat system go bad on me this year (bought in 2011). Those things are ticking time bombs, especially the PS2 disc compatible versions.

So I recommend the Super Slim. Fan noise is pretty much non-existent compared to the fats. The discs are difficult to get out but you'll get over it. After disassembling two PS3s to get out my discs (goodbye weekend!), I'm still almost smiling when it's time to eject on the Super Slim.

And be sure to hit the eject button to slide the cover over instead of sliding the whole thing open with your palm like an oaf.

It's nice to now be able to take out a disc without turning on the system first. But that also means not being able to eject discs with the Triangle button from the XMB.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by cfx »

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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Ed Oscuro »

I don't have any personal experience here, but what I read agrees with what everybody is saying here.

A couple interesting things some research turned up:
- The Super Slim does save cost for Sony, but Eurogamer noted it didn't get rid of the TOSLINK port or do other stupid Nintendo-esque things.
- The Super Slim's GPU+CPU, at least in initial units, are manufactured on the same process as the Slim's, so they aren't more energy efficient. The most energy efficient slims started appearing with the CECH-21xxA units. The last Super Slims do have a slightly smaller capacity power supply, though.
- The Super Slim CECH-4200, and later units, bans analog output of Blu-Ray material in order to comply with more restrictive DRM guidelines for 2014 on. I don't consider this an issue personally (I'd save my PS3 and use a cheap no-name Blu-Ray player anyway)

Sources: Wiki and Eurogamer.

Also, isn't it straightforward to install a game and then not have to listen to the optical drive noise? I do this on my 2009 Xbox 360 and it makes a huge difference to my happiness level, even though I'm restricted by a tiny 20GB hard drive to having to go through a lengthy process whenever I want to switch over to a new game. With the PS3, this won't be a very big deal due to the ability to use any cheap modern drive, even an SSD with ample capacity.
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BazookaBen
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by BazookaBen »

I have a super slim PS3 and love it. I never have to worry about the drive-loading mechancism failing since it doesn't have one. And taking discs out of the top is cool, reminds me of the PS1.

Drive noise was an issue for some games, but not others, strangely. But fan noise is incredibly quiet. I can play WipeoutHD for hours and you have to put your head within a couple feet to hear the fans.

And as far as looks, I think it looks great sitting on top of my PS2 since they both have grooved surfaces.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by HydrogLox »

Ed Oscuro wrote:I do this on my 2009 Xbox 360 and it makes a huge difference to my happiness level, even though I'm restricted by a tiny 20GB hard drive to having to go through a lengthy process whenever I want to switch over to a new game. With the PS3, this won't be a very big deal due to the ability to use any cheap modern drive, even an SSD with ample capacity.
Might be an idea to grab a WD320/500GB 2.5" while they are still available and a second enclosure (for the 20GB).
http://digiex.net/guides-reviews/consol ... -slim.html
http://null-byte.wonderhowto.com/how-to ... ey-0132294
Might as well get a slim enclosure too - for later when you need to move on :( .
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Hoagtech »

I have the super slim and I cannot play ps2 games.

I would prefer to play my past games on original content.

I have a ps2 slim to play my dragon quest 8

psx original with scart to play my dragon warrior 7.

The nice thing is most of my controllers work for both systems.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Ed Oscuro »

BazookaBen wrote:I have a super slim PS3 and love it. I never have to worry about the drive-loading mechancism failing since it doesn't have one. And taking discs out of the top is cool, reminds me of the PS1.
The reliability of a door drive is big to me, yeah. I'd just hope that any games I'd like to play have install options (and I don't know what I'd get beyond Demon's Souls).

And sorry for going OT with the 360 thing - I'm not throwing more money at that old Falcon, eventually I'll probably try and get one of the latest models cheaply.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by ZellSF »

Regarding disc loading mechanisms: I hated taking apart my PS3 to get the disc back when it died, but that's hardly a big deal. Being able to take discs out when the console is on would be convenient at times though. Doesn't really affect the gameplay experience in any way though. Personally I wouldn't factor it into a buying decision.
Also, isn't it straightforward to install a game and then not have to listen to the optical drive noise?
Installing games is an option left to the game developers: they choose what you get to install. Many games require everything be streamed from disc.

Modding the console obviously changes this. So does getting digital copies of games, but there are a lot of games missing on Sony's digital store.
My experience, not hearsay, is that there is NO drive noise difference between 2500 and 3000 models, but that the 2500 runs hotter and noiser due to the fan.
2500s is a series with lots of revisions, supposedly there was a change somewhere that made them noisier. If disc noise is a concern, I'd take a superslim over a noisy slim. Note that superslims aren't exactly known for being quiet in this department either. Just better than 3000s.

My experience is only with 3000s (and one 4000), what I say about 2500s is hearsay.
How about dropping the attitude?
That vague statements have nothing to do in an advice thread? How about no.
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jandrogo
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by jandrogo »

I think that I will wait until black friday to try to get a new super slim cheap. Cd reading noise it's not a problem as I probably will play almost all digital games.
If I can't get one new at reasonable price, I will go for an Slim above 3xxx models taking in consideration your advices.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Strider77 »

The super slims are fugly... and having to load the tray up top makes it so you can't slide it into an entertainment center as easily. Regardless it definitely gives the impression of the "K-mart" version.
Damn Tim, you know there are quite a few Americans out there who still lives in tents due to this shitty economy, and you're dropping loads on a single game which only last 20 min. Do you think it's fair? How much did you spend this time?
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by ZellSF »

jandrogo wrote:I think that I will wait until black friday to try to get a new super slim cheap. Cd reading noise it's not a problem as I probably will play almost all digital games.
Again, there's quite a few PS3 games that are disc only.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by bobrocks95 »

Strider77 wrote:Regardless it definitely gives the impression of the "K-mart" version.
Haha, a great way to put it. They're the blue light special.

Waiting for Black Friday isn't a bad idea at all, I would say the PS3 is currently priced a little too high new for a 10 year old console. I ended up buying a used 320GB slim in the box with a couple games for $175 and I'd still say that's a bit much.
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Hoagtech
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by Hoagtech »

bobrocks95 wrote:
Strider77 wrote:Regardless it definitely gives the impression of the "K-mart" version.
Haha, a great way to put it. They're the blue light special.

Waiting for Black Friday isn't a bad idea at all, I would say the PS3 is currently priced a little too high new for a 10 year old console. I ended up buying a used 320GB slim in the box with a couple games for $175 and I'd still say that's a bit much.
I do like the Super Slim because it plays its PS3 games flawlessly and takes up the least amount of space (minus the top loading awkwardness).

Its like the SNES Mini but super gimped because it doesn't play PS2 games. I like having 4 consoles for my Playstations though. The space taking is a problem but I just got a cube shelf from Ikea that holds 20 Consoles and I intend to use it.
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ZellSF
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by ZellSF »

My PS3 slim doesn't actually fit in the shelf were I wanted it, a super slim would :(

There's a pretty notable size difference between the two.
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Re: Ps3 slim vs ps3 super slim?

Post by gray117 »

Played around with all 3, currently own super slim.

Superslim is indeed not the nicest product, but it probably is the best heat/energy wise. I think disc noise makes it louder than slim - might be a bit of a bummer if this is your bluray player of choice...

Slim probably quietest overall...

Fat - too hot, too noisey. Can't guarantee reliability... Some seem to last forever, but most don't.
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