Is the 80GB Playstation 3 worth the extra $100 over the 40GB version?

[Chaotic42]

Hey all. I'd like to pick up a Bluray player and it looks like the PS3 is going to be the cheapest one right now. I really doubt that I'm going to play it very much, so I was wondering if the 80GB version would be worth the extra $100, especially considering that I have to fork over the money for an HDMI cable and the remote.

What are your thoughts?

 

[mugs]

As long as you have no desire to ever play PS2 games on it, no it's not worth it. I got the 40 GB for that reason.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Hey all. I'd like to pick up a Bluray player and it looks like the PS3 is going to be the cheapest one right now. I really doubt that I'm going to play it very much, so I was wondering if the 80GB version would be worth the extra $100, especially considering that I have to fork over the money for an HDMI cable and the remote.

What are your thoughts?

Don't see why it would matter unless the movies were going on the PS3. As for the HDMI cable, check out monoprice.com ($7 instead of $80) and look into getting a Harmony remote. Personally if you're only using it for a BR player, I'd dual boot linux on it and use that to browse the web when I don't feel like booting up my PC.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Grab a cheap third party HDMI cable (as noted above). You can buy a USB IR adapter for the PS3 (I purchased the BluWave and it works great with my Harmony 676) if you have a universal remote that you use.

If you do not care about PS2 gaming, SACDs, or having memory card readers, then save the $100 and get the 40gb.

 

[bucwylde23]

I'm going to get the 40 GB since I don't care about motorstorm or playing PS2 games..

 

[gorcorps]

Get the cheaper one. If you're using it for a bluray player I don't see any use for double storage?

 

[DaveSimmons]

The 40 GB uses around 65 watts less power thanks to a 65nm Cell processor so it runs cooler and/or quieter.

The only reasons to buy the 80 GB are 80% PS2 backwards compatibility (40 GB is 0%), Motorstorm, and the memory card reader. You can always buy a PS2 Slim later.

See above for cable advice (monoprice.com is one good source of HDMI and optical cables).

FYI SonyStyle.com still has the $100 credit for getting a Sony/Chase Visa card.

 

[Chaotic42]

Cool.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I don't think that I'm going to want to play any PS2 games. I used to have one and once I beat Metal Gear Solid 2, I sold it here on the forums.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Hey all. I'd like to pick up a Bluray player and it looks like the PS3 is going to be the cheapest one right now. I really doubt that I'm going to play it very much, so I was wondering if the 80GB version would be worth the extra $100, especially considering that I have to fork over the money for an HDMI cable and the remote.

What are your thoughts?

Don't see why it would matter unless the movies were going on the PS3. As for the HDMI cable, check out monoprice.com ($7 instead of $80) and look into getting a Harmony remote. Personally if you're only using it for a BR player, I'd dual boot linux on it and use that to browse the web when I don't feel like booting up my PC.

harmony remote will not work on the PS3 due to the lack of any infra red port.

You can however use a blue tooth compatable remote of some kind. Sony offers one for about $20

If you absolutely need IR they have USB adapters that work.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Cool.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I don't think that I'm going to want to play any PS2 games. I used to have one and once I beat Metal Gear Solid 2, I sold it here on the forums.

You never know...you may surprise yourself there.

 

[tidehigh]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Cool.

Thanks for the quick replies everyone. I don't think that I'm going to want to play any PS2 games. I used to have one and once I beat Metal Gear Solid 2, I sold it here on the forums.

You never know...you may surprise yourself there.

my 2 cents

I have a PS2, and I don't play PS2 games now. I'm going 40 gig and I'll add a big HDD when I need one.

 

[dougp]

Originally posted by: cmdrdredd

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Hey all. I'd like to pick up a Bluray player and it looks like the PS3 is going to be the cheapest one right now. I really doubt that I'm going to play it very much, so I was wondering if the 80GB version would be worth the extra $100, especially considering that I have to fork over the money for an HDMI cable and the remote.

What are your thoughts?

Don't see why it would matter unless the movies were going on the PS3. As for the HDMI cable, check out monoprice.com ($7 instead of $80) and look into getting a Harmony remote. Personally if you're only using it for a BR player, I'd dual boot linux on it and use that to browse the web when I don't feel like booting up my PC.

harmony remote will not work on the PS3 due to the lack of any infra red port.

You can however use a blue tooth compatable remote of some kind. Sony offers one for about $20

If you absolutely need IR they have USB adapters that work.

Forgot about that (I don't have a PS3.) I'd say get the USB adapter though, as Harmony remotes freakin rock.

 

[Chaotic42]

I picked it up. I'm surprised at how big it is, but I'm glad that it supports HDMI and wireless networking. The 5 free movies thing is nice too. It's supposed to have come with Spiderman 3, but instead I got two copies of the install software.

I guess I'm going to have to go back to the store and kick in some heads.

 

[imported_Imp]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I picked it up. I'm surprised at how big it is, but I'm glad that it supports HDMI and wireless networking. The 5 free movies thing is nice too. It's supposed to have come with Spiderman 3, but instead I got two copies of the install software.

I guess I'm going to have to go back to the store and kick in some heads.

lol

Ya, I was pretty surprised at the size when I first unpackaged it. And that's probably not install software, just the 2.00 firmware update (maybe further back depending on when it was made). PS3 is up to 2.10 now so you may be able to avoid those.

 

[Chaotic42]

Yeah, I updated it over the internet.

Apparently Madden 08 doesn't support 1080i, so I have to play it at 720p. It hasn't been a good PS3 day so far.

 

[JackBurton]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Yeah, I updated it over the internet.

Apparently Madden 08 doesn't support 1080i, so I have to play it at 720p. It hasn't been a good PS3 day so far.

Yeah, come get some of that.

 

[BlahBlahYouToo]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The 40 GB uses around 65 watts less power thanks to a 65nm Cell processor so it runs cooler and/or quieter.

The only reasons to buy the 80 GB are 80% PS2 backwards compatibility (40 GB is 0%), Motorstorm, and the memory card reader. You can always buy a PS2 Slim later.

See above for cable advice (monoprice.com is one good source of HDMI and optical cables).

FYI SonyStyle.com still has the $100 credit for getting a Sony/Chase Visa card.

The 80GB PS3 also upconverts PS2 games.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: dreadpiratedoug

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Hey all. I'd like to pick up a Bluray player and it looks like the PS3 is going to be the cheapest one right now. I really doubt that I'm going to play it very much, so I was wondering if the 80GB version would be worth the extra $100, especially considering that I have to fork over the money for an HDMI cable and the remote.

What are your thoughts?

Don't see why it would matter unless the movies were going on the PS3. As for the HDMI cable, check out monoprice.com ($7 instead of $80) and look into getting a Harmony remote. Personally if you're only using it for a BR player, I'd dual boot linux on it and use that to browse the web when I don't feel like booting up my PC.

That is good to know. I enjoy using my Harmony 676 for my TV, DVR, Xbox 360.
A 40GB PS3 is calling my name, rather annoyingly and loudly I might add.

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: BlahBlahYouToo

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons
The 40 GB uses around 65 watts less power thanks to a 65nm Cell processor so it runs cooler and/or quieter.

The only reasons to buy the 80 GB are 80% PS2 backwards compatibility (40 GB is 0%), Motorstorm, and the memory card reader. You can always buy a PS2 Slim later.

See above for cable advice (monoprice.com is one good source of HDMI and optical cables).

FYI SonyStyle.com still has the $100 credit for getting a Sony/Chase Visa card.

The 80GB PS3 also upconverts PS2 games.

Do you mean to say the vast majority of PS2 games, being 480i only, are displayed better through the PS3?
What modes can/does it upscale to?
Does it look better/worse/the same than through a standard PS2?

Also, is there a list online regarding the differences in compatibilty due to the removal of the PS2 EE chip on the newer PS3 models?

 

[techwanabe]

Why is hard drive space necessary for PS2 compatibility? Makes no sense.

 

[YoungGun21]

I don't think it has to do with the hard drive space.

 

[dighn]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Why is hard drive space necessary for PS2 compatibility? Makes no sense.

It's a different model. HD size is not the only difference. The 40GB doesn't have the hardware required for backward compatibility. I believe it's also missing a memory card port (for PS2 memory cards?) and has fewer USB ports. It's the same otherwise. I got the 40GB myself because I already have a PS2. The 40GB also has lower power consumption.

 

[Continuity28]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Why is hard drive space necessary for PS2 compatibility? Makes no sense.

You misunderstand.

The older PS3s had the PS2 Emotion Engine CPU built in, whereas the new ones do not. The reason hard drive space is being brought up is because the models happen to vary on hard drive space as well. The 60GB model had the EE chip, the newer 80GB model does not. The compatibility change has nothing to do with the hard drive.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: dighn
I believe it's also missing a memory card port (for PS2 memory cards?)

No, it's for other format memory cards. SD, Memory Stick, and one other, IIRC.

 

[Shadowknight]

If you're buying it to watch movies, I'd get the 40. I bought the 80gb and wound up returning it; after being on 10 minutes, the fan would kick in and sound like a hairdryer. I have the 40gb now, and it runs significantly quieter. I watched a movie on it last night and have left it on since so I can download some game demos; the fan's never sped up.