PS3 - Slim vs. Super Slim

[ASDR]

So for both the 360 and the PS3 I went with the second to last not the last revision when I replaced my dying launch units. I don't remember all the reasons for this decision, just that basically on both consoles the last revisions removed various features (IIRC on the 360 the analog video and optical audio out was removed) and seemed to skimp on build quality (PS3 SuperSlim replaced the slot-in drive with a top loader and a really flimsy cover. Sound from the drive, which is much louder than the system fan, leaked out to a larger degree).

[bobrocks95]

PS3 super slim is like the K-Mart blue light special of PS3s. The disc lid makes it feel incredibly cheap imo. Unless you're paranoid by slot loading drives breaking, go for the slim.

[DirkSwizzler]

Plus you can put custom firmware on most of the slims but none of the super slims

[ASDR]

Plus you can put custom firmware on most of the slims but none of the super slims

Oh yes, forgot that, another reason. Kind of like the PS2 were the last iteration has various compatibility issues and does not run FreeMcBoot.

[ZellSF]

I've always felt the arguments against the Super Slim were really flimsy ("feels cheap" doesn't actually mean anything) and if you think all Slims are quieter than Super Slims... Well you should listen to the disc drive on my Slim.

But recently ALL PS3 models below that are CECH-21XXs and below are hackable. Keep in mind that some slims are 30XXs. The main noise complaint I've had with any PS3 model I've heard has been disc noise, so the ability to hack it so you can install discs to HDD is essential.

That said, if you don't want to hack it I'd just go for whatever is cheapest. I haven't heard of any massive durability issues with any Slim or Super Slim models nor have I heard of any features being removed from them.

[mvsfan]

Didnt they remove all the analog video outputs on the super slim?

[Ikaruga11]

PS3 Slim always

[ZellSF]

Didnt they remove all the analog video outputs on the super slim?

It still has the multi AV output, so I'm guessing no.

You might be thinking of this:

When the PS3™ system (CECH-3000 / 4000 series) is connected to a TV using a D-terminal cable, a component AV cable, or an multi AV cable (a Sony Corporation product), analogue high-definition output is restricted to comply with the copyright protection technology used by Blu-ray™ (AACS). BD video software (BD-ROM) and BDs recorded with copyright-protected video content (such as broadcast programs) are output at 480i.

But that's hardly relevant for anyone today. And also applies to the latest Slims.

[Ikaruga11]

The PS3 has bad component video encoders anyway. You're better off using HDMI -> DAC that strips HDCP -> analog display

[Link83]

There are four models of Slim PS3 (CECH-20XX, CECH-21XX, CECH-25XX, CECH-30XX)

I would recommend looking for a CECH-21XX, since it is the first Slim model to feature a die shrunk 40nm RSX:-
http://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/SKU_Models ... _series.29

The later CECH-25XX would also be ok, but if you ever want CFW then you would need to find one manufactured within a specific timeframe by checking the datecode on the label.

Didnt they remove all the analog video outputs on the super slim?

It still has the multi AV output, so I'm guessing no.

You might be thinking of this:

When the PS3™ system (CECH-3000 / 4000 series) is connected to a TV using a D-terminal cable, a component AV cable, or an multi AV cable (a Sony Corporation product), analogue high-definition output is restricted to comply with the copyright protection technology used by Blu-ray™ (AACS). BD video software (BD-ROM) and BDs recorded with copyright-protected video content (such as broadcast programs) are output at 480i.

But that's hardly relevant for anyone today. And also applies to the latest Slims.

In addition to that, to comply with some regulation the very last SuperSlim CECH-43XX models disabled analog output entirely for BD-ROM playback.

[speedlolita]

I've been very happy with my super slim. Don't care about CFW at all for the PS3 so that isn't of concern to me.

If you want the smallest footprint, least power consumption, least heat and least noise then a super slim is the one to go for IMO.

The sliding drive cover really isn't bad at all. The whole thing about the quality of that is blown way out of proportion IMO.

Edit: Welp seems the internals are the same so I'm talking about my ass.

[bigbadboaz]

"feels cheap" doesn't actually mean anything

It means "feels cheap". This is absolutely important to people who care about quality. If you're talking about electronics enthusiasts choosing something to slot into a collection of other nice components, more will be concerned with this than not.

[ZellSF]

"feels cheap" doesn't actually mean anything

It means "feels cheap". This is absolutely important to people who care about quality. If you're talking about electronics enthusiasts choosing something to slot into a collection of other nice components, more will be concerned with this than not.

Since you're talking about collecting, I'm guessing you're implying it's important that it looks nice? "feels cheap" has a different meaning than "looks cheap". Personally I think all game consoles are ugly and I would prefer them to be small (the Super Slim is smaller) so they're easier to hide away.

"feels cheap" has this incredible vagueness about it, implying that there could be problems with the quality of the unit, without pointing to anything concrete at all.

[Lawfer]

Plus you can put custom firmware on most of the slims but none of the super slims

What's the best custom firmware if you just want to use it to backup your PS3 games on the HDD?

[GojiFan90]

I have a super slim and I love it. It looks ugly but I don't feel the build quality to be sub-par. I find the slot loading disc tray to be a plus after two YLOD fat PS3s that had discs stuck in them when they failed (and could not be force ejected). That said, if you can get a regular slim for the same price there's really no reason not to. Both are equally reliable IMO. I don't find that the super slim is any louder than the regular slim, so it's really going to be a matter of price and cosmetic preference.

[Triple Lei]

I have a super slim and I love it. It looks ugly but I don't feel the build quality to be sub-par. I find the slot loading disc tray to be a plus after two YLOD fat PS3s that had discs stuck in them when they failed (and could not be force ejected). That said, if you can get a regular slim for the same price there's really no reason not to. Both are equally reliable IMO. I don't find that the super slim is any louder than the regular slim, so it's really going to be a matter of price and cosmetic preference.

Exactly this! I also had two dead fat PS3 that had discs inside. Which meant two Saturdays I had to throw away just to get my discs out.

My only knock against the Super Slim is sometimes I forget to close the sliding door after I remove a disc. It's really hard to notice the door's open if the Super Slim PS3 is in some dark, out-of-the-way place. Maybe I just need a sticker to put on the top...

[BazookaBen]

I have the super slim and think it's really cool. I like that it's not slot-loading, and it is fairly quiet especially when running games from the hard drive.

[Thomago]

I have a super slim as well and can't say anything negative about it. I have no clue where the general hate against the super slims comes from.

[DirkSwizzler]

Plus you can put custom firmware on most of the slims but none of the super slims

What's the best custom firmware if you just want to use it to backup your PS3 games on the HDD?

I actually have no idea. I secured one of the last model slims to support the CFW upgrade path just to future proof myself a bit against drive failure or rotting discs. But the drive still works fine so I haven't had to follow through on CFW yet.

[speedlolita]

I have a super slim as well and can't say anything negative about it. I have no clue where the general hate against the super slims comes from.

People that don't own them, apparently.

[Ed Oscuro]

I just bought a super slim to play Demon's Souls before the servers go offline (ironically I'm not playing online, at least not yet) and there is only one "real" issue about the system in my mind.

My unit somehow developed a 'bubbly' appearance in the plastic trim along the front and back, which is apparently an intrinsic property of the plastic now. I also had to pay a bit more for the obsolete 250GB hard drive, because the cheaper Slims on sale locally were in worse shape. Beyond that, it ticks off the boxes:

Smallest
Quietest (according to reports)
Coolest (or close) & relatively power efficient
Simplest mechanical design for reliability and access to disks (and keeping the interior clean)
No lost functionality

A few game sessions and even the Febreze Smell has all but disappeared!

[nmalinoski]

I also had to pay a bit more for the obsolete 250GB hard drive, because the cheaper Slims on sale locally were in worse shape.

Do keep in mind that PS3s, including the super slims, have user-replaceable hard drives; you can always swap it out with a new 1TB laptop hard disk for about $50; but do make sure you back up your game saves first. (SSDs work, too, though I don't think consoles in general support TRIM.)

[Ed Oscuro]

Unfortunately retailers have a practice of pricing the consoles in tiers, by console storage capacity, and never swapping drives to make one cheaper. Like I said, I would have gone with a cheaper Slim if it looked better. I had them look through their stock to find the most acceptable one.

On that note, I've already pulled the drive out to get a hair dryer in there (on the cool setting, ofc) and wipe down more surfaces. It's a good way to clear out more of the dust from used units without having to disassemble the entire unit. I don't know about the other PS3 models, but the replacement of the PS3 drive sled is incredibly easy.

[Syntax]

A hair dryer?? Lol.

120psi via air compressor is what you need dude.

Could probably even buy a cheap air nozel and use a local service stations compressor.

Fill the boot up once a year and drive down for a dust out XD

[Ed Oscuro]

At that point I'd just bite the bullet and do a teardown. I wouldn't want to risk damage from excessively powerful air blasts, this is relatively fragile commodity hardware after all.

In any case I think a little bit of air + clean running for a day has gotten it clean enough for my purposes, at least for now

[Syntax]

I'd only be worried about the ribbon cable and fan blades.

I usually do it for those mates that just don't care about their equipment.
You know the friend with the pc case sitting on carpet with a gpu fan at 100% that wonders why his temps are so high.
And laptops. I hate opening those stupidly designed pos.