Question about PS3 consoles

[Schfifty Five]

Are there going to be any new PS3's coming out with 55nm die?

Will the new 80gb versions have any new hardware?

 

[destrekor]

With the 80gb's re-release, it should have all the same hardware as the current 40gb, which means likely no PS2 hardware support... however with that, I expect Sony may be working on full software emulation. At least, if Sony wants to be smart... but they show that sometimes they aren't the brightest minds, as they are basically their own worst enemy... if they did things right all the time, the PS3 could be ahead of the 360, if not already, in VERY short time. They keep shooting themselves in the foot.

I don't know if they'll be a 55nm die any time soon. If there is to be another hardware refresh, it might not happen till after Christmas, unless the 80gb is going to be temporary.
Actually, a possibility is to release the 80gb at $399, and before Christmas drop that price to $299 or $350 and release a higher end model with more storage and shrunken hardware at $400/450. But, they need to stop these console refreshes and SKU changes... but then, they don't have much to change between models since the lower end shares basically the same features.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: destrekor
With the 80gb's re-release, it should have all the same hardware as the current 40gb, which means likely no PS2 hardware support... however with that, I expect Sony may be working on full software emulation. At least, if Sony wants to be smart... but they show that sometimes they aren't the brightest minds, as they are basically their own worst enemy... if they did things right all the time, the PS3 could be ahead of the 360, if not already, in VERY short time. They keep shooting themselves in the foot.

From what I understand, the current 80GB has full PS2 software emulation (for 80-90% backwards compatibility). Sony is deliberately eliminating PS2 backwards compatibility for the new 80GB, which is just plain stupid. They're alienating potential buyers who care about upscaling their PS2 games (or are just waiting for their PS2 to die or for a price drop before buying a PS3), and they're probably pissing off PS2 developers who were hoping to cash in on the PS3 pie. They've pretty much sent a signal to the game companies that the PS4 will not be backwards compatible with PS3 games, and that they can't expect to make any money after the next-gen console comes out.

 

[Queasy]

The current 80GB PS3 is available only in the MGS4 bundle (if you can find it) supports software BC with the PS2 and has the 90nm chipset.

The 80GB PS3 coming out at the start of September, will be $400, no PS2 BC, come with the Dual-Shock controller, and have the 65nm chipet.

 

[Queasy]

The new 80GB PS3 may already be in some stores

While they're not supposed to "officially" go on sale until the end of this month, it appears that many retailers are stocking their store shelves with the new 80GB Core Packs. These systems, which retail for $399, offer an upgraded version of the previous 40GB system: a larger hard drive and a DualShock 3 controller. It does not, however, provide any backwards compatibility. Various tipsters have mailed us with reports of systems being on store shelves, and Ashhong from NeoGAF even posted a photo of one system.

If the new 80GB Core Packs are available, that means the two current PS3 SKUs both feature 80GB hard drives. The more expensive ($499) 80GB Metal Gear Solid 4 bundle includes a copy of the popular stealth action game and offers backwards compatability.

 

[techwanabe]

Yeah, I guess I jumped the gun too soon and got stuck with the 40 gb model with no dual shock. I have virtually no PS2 games so BC isn't a huge issue for me. I'll proably acquire a 2nd controller anyway so then have a dual shock. Having no vibration isn't a major bother either.

 

[Baked]

Originally posted by: tk149

From what I understand, the current 80GB has full PS2 software emulation (for 80-90% backwards compatibility). Sony is deliberately eliminating PS2 backwards compatibility for the new 80GB, which is just plain stupid. They're alienating potential buyers who care about upscaling their PS2 games (or are just waiting for their PS2 to die or for a price drop before buying a PS3), and they're probably pissing off PS2 developers who were hoping to cash in on the PS3 pie. They've pretty much sent a signal to the game companies that the PS4 will not be backwards compatible with PS3 games, and that they can't expect to make any money after the next-gen console comes out.

Yes, because you a joe six pack knows more about console sales than Sony. BC is really not that big of a deal for casual gamers. PS2 console sales is still strong for a last generation system. People who want to play PS1/2 games still buy a PS2 console. BR is a bigger buying factor for PS3 buyers than BC for PS2 games. Let's be serious here, those who are buying a PS3 probably have a PS2 to begin with. The upscaling on PS3 is not all that great. I can tell you from personal experience that ePSXe does a better job at rendering PS1 games than both PS2 and PS3. Could be because my PS3 has software emulation, but that's mood since Sony doesn't make PS3 with hardware BC anymore.

When you buy a PS2, your main intention is to play PS2 and PS1 games, which will cost you a mere $129. When you decide to buy a PS3, you want it mainly for the BR capability, and the ability to play next generation PS3 games, not for playing PS1 and PS2 games.

I've played PS1 games a total of 4 times on my PS3 since I bought it, mostly to test out the games and virtual memory card.

Originally posted by: Queasy
The current 80GB PS3 is available only in the MGS4 bundle (if you can find it) supports software BC with the PS2 and has the 90nm chipset.

Amazon.com has the MGS4 bundle for sale for the past month.

 

[mlm]

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Yeah, I guess I jumped the gun too soon and got stuck with the 40 gb model with no dual shock. I have virtually no PS2 games so BC isn't a huge issue for me. I'll proably acquire a 2nd controller anyway so then have a dual shock. Having no vibration isn't a major bother either.

Where did you get your console? If you're lucky, the store you got it at may drop the price on the 40GB before your 30-day window is up so you could do a price match.

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: mlm

Originally posted by: techwanabe
Yeah, I guess I jumped the gun too soon and got stuck with the 40 gb model with no dual shock. I have virtually no PS2 games so BC isn't a huge issue for me. I'll proably acquire a 2nd controller anyway so then have a dual shock. Having no vibration isn't a major bother either.

Where did you get your console? If you're lucky, the store you got it at may drop the price on the 40GB before your 30-day window is up so you could do a price match.

I got it from the Sony Style store so I could get the $100 credit offered on the new Sony Credit card. I kind of doubt they will do anything for me. If I ordered 1 month later I'd have the 80 gb version instead. Bad timing for me, but I've had mine in use for a week now.

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: Queasy
The current 80GB PS3 is available only in the MGS4 bundle (if you can find it) supports software BC with the PS2 and has the 90nm chipset.

The 80GB PS3 coming out at the start of September, will be $400, no PS2 BC, come with the Dual-Shock controller, and have the 65nm chipet.

Thats because this guy here has 25 of them.

25 or more :laugh:

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: mlm
Where did you get your console? If you're lucky, the store you got it at may drop the price on the 40GB before your 30-day window is up so you could do a price match.

I followed up on your suggestion. Basically as I already suspected, Sony Style store won't give any kind of compensation or satisfaction regarding me purchasing an "old model" PS3 with the 40 GB drive and old style controller when 80 GB models with Dual Shock are selling in some stores right now - all at the same $399 price point. Bad bad. I just received my "old model PS3" last week.

The only solution is they have a 30 day return policy and I can basically return my PS3 before Sept 5 (based on the Cust Service rep) and then just purchase the new model at the same price. I'll have to check to see if the $100 credit offered through the Sony Credit card will be stil good if I have to play this stupde game, to get an 80 gb model for the same friggin price.

Assuming I don't lose out on the $100 credit, it may be worth the inconvenience of going without my PS3 for a couple weeks for the upgrade. Still, it's damn annoying.

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: Baked

Originally posted by: tk149

From what I understand, the current 80GB has full PS2 software emulation (for 80-90% backwards compatibility). Sony is deliberately eliminating PS2 backwards compatibility for the new 80GB, which is just plain stupid. They're alienating potential buyers who care about upscaling their PS2 games (or are just waiting for their PS2 to die or for a price drop before buying a PS3), and they're probably pissing off PS2 developers who were hoping to cash in on the PS3 pie. They've pretty much sent a signal to the game companies that the PS4 will not be backwards compatible with PS3 games, and that they can't expect to make any money after the next-gen console comes out.

Yes, because you a joe six pack knows more about console sales than Sony.

Yes, Sony knows everything about console sales and has done such a wonderful job with the PS3 that they've outsold the Wii and 360.

Sony's already done the legwork on PS2 software emulation. Does adding this to the new PS3 SKU's add THAT much to the cost? The PS2 has the biggest install base ever. Why tell these people, "there's no real advantage to buying a PS3 over a 360 in terms of using your old PS2 games."

BC is really not that big of a deal for casual gamers. PS2 console sales is still strong for a last generation system. People who want to play PS1/2 games still buy a PS2 console. BR is a bigger buying factor for PS3 buyers than BC for PS2 games. Let's be serious here, those who are buying a PS3 probably have a PS2 to begin with.

I've never owned a PS1 or PS2, and I just bought a PS3. I've never seen a survey that showed how many PS3 owners already have a PS2. Sony claimed that most PS3 owners don't care about BC, but I've never seen them release survey results.

The upscaling on PS3 is not all that great. I can tell you from personal experience that ePSXe does a better job at rendering PS1 games than both PS2 and PS3. Could be because my PS3 has software emulation, but that's mood since Sony doesn't make PS3 with hardware BC anymore.

When you buy a PS2, your main intention is to play PS2 and PS1 games, which will cost you a mere $129. When you decide to buy a PS3, you want it mainly for the BR capability, and the ability to play next generation PS3 games, not for playing PS1 and PS2 games.

I've played PS1 games a total of 4 times on my PS3 since I bought it, mostly to test out the games and virtual memory card.

For people like me, BC and upscaling is a big deal. I haven't tried a PS2 game on my PS3 yet, but I'd definitely like to squeeze every ounce of detail out of my machine. I missed out on all the PS2 games, and I'd like to at least have the option of catching up on some great gaming. Quite simply, if the PS3 did not have BC, I might have bought a 360 instead. I opted for the MGS bundle and a bigger die, rather than wait for the new smaller die because of BC.

Originally posted by: Queasy
The current 80GB PS3 is available only in the MGS4 bundle (if you can find it) supports software BC with the PS2 and has the 90nm chipset.

Amazon.com has the MGS4 bundle for sale for the past month.

When I wanted to order my PS3 last week, Amazon had sold out. Same for Sonystyle.com and bestbuy.com. I ordered mine from Circuitcity.com (and it wasn't available for in-store pickup).

 

[techwanabe]

When I wanted to order my PS3 last week, Amazon had sold out. Same for Sonystyle.com and bestbuy.com. I ordered mine from Circuitcity.com (and it wasn't available for in-store pickup).

What did you end up with then?

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

When I wanted to order my PS3 last week, Amazon had sold out. Same for Sonystyle.com and bestbuy.com. I ordered mine from Circuitcity.com (and it wasn't available for in-store pickup).

What did you end up with then?

Sorry, I should have stated that I was looking specifically for the Metal Gear Solid Bundle (80 GB version).

 

[techwanabe]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

When I wanted to order my PS3 last week, Amazon had sold out. Same for Sonystyle.com and bestbuy.com. I ordered mine from Circuitcity.com (and it wasn't available for in-store pickup).

What did you end up with then?

Did you find it?

 

[KLin]

I bought one of the new core 80GB systems from a gamestop a couple days ago. BluRay looks nice :thumbsup:

 

[tk149]

Originally posted by: techwanabe

Originally posted by: techwanabe

When I wanted to order my PS3 last week, Amazon had sold out. Same for Sonystyle.com and bestbuy.com. I ordered mine from Circuitcity.com (and it wasn't available for in-store pickup).

What did you end up with then?

Did you find it?

Yeah, I ordered the MGS bundle from CircuitCity.com.

I used the Sony credit card, and hopefully I will be credited with $100 back for ordering through an online retailer. I would have just gone to a B&M store and picked one up for instant gratification, but from my understanding of the terms, I had to order a PS3 online in order to get the $100 back.

Anyway, I'm really loving the DVD upscaling and Blu-Ray. Metal Gear Solid...not so much. My friend handed me "God of War" today and I can't wait to go home and play!

 

[techwanabe]

Yeah, MGS4 isn't my genre so it would have been something I would have had to unload. I would have liked to have the BC, but with only a couple of PS2 games, I probalby won't miss it that much.

The upscaling of DVD's is pretty good. I was pleased when I tried it and even zoomed in the picture one notch and it still looked very decent. Bluray is sweet! I got netflix to feed my Bluray addiction. It only makes sense since the monely sub price is the same as for DVD's and buying Bluray isn't really attractive until they come down in price more.

I have seen the MGS4 bundle in some local stores so I could have gotten it, but not gotten the $100 off from the Sony CC. So I guess for $299, I can't complain much cept for the fact that the same reg price wil give an 80g hard drive in 2 weeks. Kicks self.