Is PS3 slim more powerful than a PS3 fat?

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PS3 Fat vs. Slim: Power, Performance, and the Ultimate PlayStation 3 Showdown

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The burning question on every retro gamer’s mind: Is the PS3 Slim more powerful than the PS3 Fat? The short answer is no, not in terms of raw processing power. Both the original “Fat” PS3 and the “Slim” PS3 share essentially the same core hardware: the Cell Broadband Engine processor and the Reality Synthesizer (RSX) graphics processing unit. Where they differ is in efficiency, reliability, and some key features that impact the overall user experience. Let’s dive deep into this console comparison.

A Tale of Two Consoles: Understanding the Key Differences

While both the Fat and Slim PS3 models share the same core architecture, the devil is in the details. The manufacturing process improvements implemented in the Slim resulted in significant advantages.

Manufacturing Process and Power Consumption

The original “Fat” PS3s were manufactured using a 90nm process for the Cell processor and a 90nm process for the RSX GPU. This older process resulted in higher power consumption and increased heat generation. The PS3 Slim, on the other hand, benefited from die shrinks, utilizing a 65nm Cell processor initially and eventually a 45nm version, paired with either a 65nm or 40nm RSX.

This shrink dramatically reduced power consumption. The Fat PS3 could draw upwards of 200 watts during gaming, while the Slim typically consumed around 90-100 watts. This efficiency translated to less heat, a quieter fan, and a generally more stable system.

Reliability and Longevity

The reduced heat output of the Slim directly addresses one of the biggest criticisms of the Fat PS3: reliability. The original models were notorious for suffering from the “Yellow Light of Death (YLOD),” a hardware failure often caused by overheating. The Slim, with its more efficient architecture, is significantly less prone to this issue. This makes finding a functioning Fat PS3 in good condition increasingly difficult.

Backward Compatibility (A Fat PS3 Exclusive Advantage)

One area where the original Fat models genuinely shine is in backward compatibility with PlayStation 2 games. The earliest Fat PS3 models (specifically the 20GB and 60GB versions in North America and Japan, and the 80GB version in Europe) featured actual PS2 hardware inside, allowing them to play almost the entire PS2 library flawlessly. Later Fat models removed this hardware and relied on software emulation, which was less accurate. The Slim PS3 completely abandoned backward compatibility. For true PS2 aficionados, this gives the original Fat a distinct advantage, albeit one that comes with inherent risks due to its age and reliability issues.

Storage and Design

The Fat PS3 came with varying hard drive sizes (20GB, 40GB, 60GB, 80GB, and 160GB), while the Slim models offered larger capacities of up to 500GB. Both consoles allow you to replace the internal hard drive. Design-wise, the Fat PS3, with its glossy black finish, had a premium feel, although the Slim’s matte finish is more resistant to fingerprints. The Super Slim model is the most prevalent, and offers a compact design, but its build quality feels cheaper compared to the Slim.

Real-World Performance

Despite the hardware similarities, some benchmarks suggest minor differences in loading times. However, these differences are negligible in everyday use. For example, some very basic real-world benching demonstrated that the PS3 Slim does actually boot a couple of seconds slower than the original 60GB PS3, although in practise that makes zero difference. The time it takes to load games and play DVDs are exactly the same. The core gaming experience remains virtually identical across both models.

The Verdict: Slim is the Sensible Choice

While the original Fat PS3 might hold nostalgic appeal and backward compatibility for some, the PS3 Slim is the better overall choice for most gamers. It offers superior reliability, lower power consumption, a cooler and quieter operation, and larger storage options. The performance is essentially the same, making the Slim the more practical and dependable option.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are 15 frequently asked questions to provide additional information about the PS3 Fat and Slim models:

  1. Which PS3 model is the most reliable? The PS3 Slim (CECH-2001A) is generally considered the most reliable model due to its improved manufacturing process and reduced heat output.

  2. Can all Fat PS3 models play PS2 games? No. Only the early Fat PS3 models (20GB, 60GB in North America/Japan; 80GB in Europe) feature full hardware-based backward compatibility with PS2 games. Later Fat models use software emulation, while the Slim and Super Slim models have no backward compatibility.

  3. How much more power does the PS3 Fat use compared to the PS3 Slim? The PS3 Fat can use almost twice as much power as the Slim. The Fat model consumes around 171 watts in idle and 200 watts during gaming, whereas the Slim uses about 76 watts in idle and 90-100 watts during gaming.

  4. Does the PS3 Slim have better graphics than the PS3 Fat? No. Both the PS3 Fat and Slim utilize the same RSX GPU, so the graphics capabilities are identical.

  5. Which PS3 has more RAM? All PS3 models (Fat, Slim, and Super Slim) have the same amount of RAM: roughly 500MB shared between two different types.

  6. Is the PS3 more powerful than the PS2? Yes, definitively. The PS3 is significantly more powerful than the PS2, featuring a more advanced processor (the Cell Broadband Engine) and a more capable GPU.

  7. Can you still buy new PS3 games in 2024? Officially, new releases for the PS3 are extremely rare. Focus has shifted entirely to newer generations. However, a thriving used game market exists.

  8. What is the largest hard drive I can put in a PS3? You can upgrade the internal hard drive to a 1TB (1 Terabyte) HDD or SSD in both the Fat and Slim models.

  9. Can the PS3 Super Slim be jailbroken? The PS3 Super Slim models are more difficult to jailbreak compared to the Fat and some Slim models. The most reliable option typically involves hardware modifications.

  10. What are some of the best-looking PS3 games? Some PS3 games with exceptional graphics that have aged well include:

    • The Last of Us
    • Grand Theft Auto 5
    • Red Dead Redemption
    • BioShock Infinite

  11. Is the PS3 more powerful than the Xbox 360? This is a debated topic. The Xbox 360 has a slightly more powerful GPU, while the PS3 has a more powerful CPU. Overall, they are considered to be relatively similar in terms of overall processing power.

  12. What happens if you try to play a PS2 game on a PS3 that isn’t backward compatible? The console will simply not recognize the disc and will not be able to play the game.

  13. Is it worth buying a PS3 in 2024? If you are interested in playing its exclusive library and don’t mind older graphics, a PS3 is worth purchasing in 2024. It’s a budget-friendly way to access a vast library of classic games.

  14. What is the maximum wattage of the PS3 Slim? The power consumption of the PS3 Slim typically ranges from 65 to 84 watts during normal use.

  15. What are the different PS3 models (Fat, Slim, Super Slim) CECH numbers? These are the PS3 CECH models for Fat, Slim, and Super Slim: * Fat PS3: CECHA, CECHB, CECHC, CECHE, CECHG, CECHH, CECHJ, CECHK, CECHL, CECHM, CECHP, CECHQ. * Slim PS3: CECH-20xxA, CECH-20xxB, CECH-21xxA, CECH-21xxB, CECH-25xxA, CECH-25xxB, CECH-30xxA, CECH-30xxB. * Super Slim PS3: CECH-40xxA, CECH-40xxB, CECH-42xxA, CECH-42xxB, CECH-43xxA, CECH-43xxB.

The PS3 Slim doesn’t pack more raw power than its bulkier predecessor. But, it offers better reliability and power efficiency, which are more valuable benefits that makes it the best overall console between these two variants.

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