Rumor: Japan to get 160GB PS3

Posted Oct 6, 2007 at 6:58PM by QJ Staff Listed in: PS3 Tags: Ethernet, HDMI, SATA, SCEI, Sony

Word is being passed around various internet forums about a new PlayStation 3 SKU with specs that will either make your jaw drop, or raise your eyebrows. It all started when folks found out that Sony Sony registered a certain model labeled CECHG06, similar to the 40GB PS3's CECHG01.

With Sony's mysterious machine in the records, some who claim to be insiders revealed what they stated to be the next PS3 SKU's specs straight from Sony Computer Entertainment International's (SCEI) Japan offices. Here are the details on what's supposed to be a monster package that will be made available in Japan:

Code: CECHG06 (SPECIFICATION)
Sony PlayStation 3
160gb 2.5 SATA 5400rpm HDD
CELL Broadband Engine (65nm process) @ 3.2ghz
PPU x1, SPE x8
RSX GPU (65nm process) @ 550mhz
Blu-Ray Optical Disc Drive @ 2x
Memory Card Reader- Memory Stick Duo, Compact Flash, Secure
Digital
6x USB 2.0 ports
2x HDMI 1.3 ports
3x Gigabit ethernet ports
DUALSHOCK 3 controller

As other forum posters would say, six USB ports and two HDMI ports sound a wee bit excessive. According to someone who claims to be an insider, the 20GB PS3 in Japan will be cut off and the 60GB will receive a price cut. There won't be any Japanese 80GB SKUs, so the hardcore would have to look at the hefty 160GB package.

Keep in mind that we are yet to receive any confirmations. While there is indeed a CECHG06 model registered to Sony since September 21, 2007 as listed on Singapore's consumer protection website, the leaked specs are currently without proper credit. We're all ears for any official Sony statements, so watch this space!

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Comments

# ?? — platon 2007-10-06 14:10

six USB is excessive? we all have 6 in our PS3...

And 160g or not, this is the same PS3. I don't think it would be wise from sony to upper the price another time. They should concentrate on lowering the price instead of giving more stuff...

# And that makes SKU number 50 — Fallen 2007-10-06 14:14

" 2x HDMI 1.3 ports

3x Gigabit ethernet ports"

You don't say.... Sounds somewhat like what the PS3 was going to have. I remember Sony saying something about dual HDMI.

That said I vote bs.

# ... — mohaas05 2007-10-06 14:18

um you better brush up on ur counting cuz theres only 4 usb.

# Erm... — Ash735 2007-10-06 14:33

Isn't that basically the specs of the E3 2005 Model PS3 that was later scrapped due to how much it would actually cost and the pointlessness of 2 HDMI outputs as most people won't have 2 1080p TV's next to each other.

# wat a loser company — devildude 2007-10-06 14:47

now wat new ps3 price $1000 no one will spend that much money for console gaming

# I blo*dy hope not — nuffsaid 2007-10-06 15:14

We was promised most of these specs in the beginning and we have come to accept what we got now on our ps3, if the japs get these specs on there ps3, I would really be p*ssed off, it will feel like Sony is kicking me in the ribs for being loyal and buying the console on the launch date.

Somethings I can live without eg. 6x usb(buy a hub) and the hdd (buy a bigger and faster hdd when I need it) but somethings I want, like 2x hdmi (if the jap ver. of GT5:P is dual screen, that will really make me angry), 2x blu-ray (im sure our console is just 1 speed) and 8x SPE (we got 7x, well 6x and 1 spare but still, there machine would still be faster)

# hey.. — nuffsaid 2007-10-06 15:23

thats like what we have 2 pay in the UK 4 the current 60gb 1, it totally sucks but strangely the ps3 is selling better here than in japan.

# lol — devildude 2007-10-06 15:28

if sony make it for jap u can still buy it but you want spend $1000 for console gaming cool u got lots of money and buy two 1080p tv aswell $3000 even if my dad was bill gate i wouldnt spend that much money for it

# The 96th SKU — Naroon Kasui 2007-10-06 15:55

Yep...160 gigs huh? So why can't I take my 60gig and replace its hard drive with a separate 160gb harddrive? Oh wait, I can? I think I'll do that instead of buying a new unit.

Oh yeah, i forgot to say: bullshizzle!

# when bill gates farts hes would of earnt $1000 in that time -lol — nuffsaid 2007-10-06 16:06

if the rumor was true I still wouldnt buy it, ill just be cross at Sony and wished I waited it. I already got 2 HD tvs in my house would of been sweet for me, but even if your using the 1 tv, the other hdmi port could of been used for 3D glasses or other things like that in the future.

# Japan is not surprised — xche78x 2007-10-06 20:10

yes we already have been receiving consoles with large HDD (160-250gb) and even DVD burning capabilities, known as the PSX (PS2 Complete Home Entertainment System) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PSX_%28DVR%29

or http://www.psx.sony.co.jp/

but why on earth would they put 6 USB ports, 2 HDMI and 3 Ethernet? i dont have the slightest idea on what the 2nd HDMi and 2 extra ethernet should be used for? lots of people dont even have HDMI, i myself only uses component 1080p because my el cheapo HDTV doesnt have hdmi.

anyways if ever they release such model it will be for the home entertainment freak or linux freaks which can use external USB DVD burners.

# Wrong — Nikki_Niel 2007-10-06 21:24

No "nuffsaid". That machine will not be faster. All PS3 SKU:s has a 2x blu ray drive. And all Cell processors has 8 SPE:s. 1 is used by the Playstation OS, 1 is for spare and the rest are for gaming and such so it's the same.

So the only difference is bigger HDD (still as slow), 2 more USB (Not very neccessary), 2 more ethernet ports (I have a hub, don't need another one), and 2 HDMI ports (Well, for the really rich people maybe). So keep your current PS3 SKU:s +)

# I don't get it — What common sense is really about 2007-10-06 22:36

Why do we need 2 HDMI inputs? For multihead gaming or what? Or to connect it with another TV so it can clone the picture or what?

# This is false! — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 01:03

As some of you have already mentioned, it's very much like the original spec of the PS3 back at E3 2005.

But where it really falls down is in the CPU spec, where it says "PPU x1, SPE x8".

The fact is, the Cell processor in the PS3 has only 7 working SPEs for yield purposes (with one reserved for the OS) instead of 8. That is not going to change, for numerous reasons.

Therefore these specs have simply been made up by someone.

# Well... — Lifeline 2007-10-07 01:10

The current batch of PS3's have 7x SPU's and 1x PPU. People swear blind that the ps3 has only 6x SPU's for the 7th SPU is used by the OS.

This is only slightly true, games can and probably do use all 7 SPU's because the 7th SPU is only used when the real OS Processor has problems dealing with more intensive operations, the PPU!

What would be the point of having 8 SPU's when developers will only use 6 or maybe 7 SPU's

# Not quite Nikki_Niel — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 01:24

"all Cell processors has 8 SPE:s. 1 is used by the Playstation OS, 1 is for spare".

Yes all Cell processor have 8 SPEs, but the Cell processor in the PS3 only has 7 *working* SPEs, resulting in higher CPU yields for the console, thus making it cheaper for Sony.

Cell processors with 8 SPEs working are fewer in number, making them more expensive and therefore are put to use in devices which require all 8 SPEs. However, many of the Cell processors manufactured have at least 1 faulty SPE, therefore those are the CPUs used for the PS3. There may be some PS3s with 8 working SPEs, but one of those SPEs will never be used anyway, so it will always only be 7 SPEs.

Hence this spec is false, since Sony are not going to quote 8 SPEs when only 7 SPEs will ever be active. :|

# @Lifeline - Eh? — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 01:49

"People swear blind that the ps3 has only 6x SPU's for the 7th SPU is used by the OS."

That's because it's true, and has been confirmed manys times by Sony and developers. One SPU/SPE is ALWAYS reserved for the OS, leaving 6 SPEs for games. This is not speculation Lifeline, these are the facts.

"What would be the point of having 8 SPU's when developers will only use 6 or maybe 7 SPU's"

Because as I've stated in my previous post, Sony decided to use Cell processors with at least 7 SPEs to improve yields and reduce costs. That way, if a Cell processor has a faulty SPE, it doesn't have to be rejected, it can still be used in the console, giving Sony a far greater number of Cell processors for use in the PS3.

And yes, one of those SPEs have to be reserved for the OS due to the way the CPU is designed. It's not easy to share an SPE with a game and the OS at the same time, therefore it's easier just to reserve one for the OS. Hence 6 SPEs are available for games.

But if you need further proof, have a look at this on Sony's website;

http://www.research.scea.com/research/pdfs/GDC2006ReynoldsTemp.pdf

On the page "Overview of PS3 Architecture" (page 9 of this PDF file), it says;

"6 SPUs available to application"

And if you look at the block diagram of the PS3 on page 10, there are only 7 SPEs (SPE 0 to SPE 6).

So again, those are the facts Lifeline. :|

# Knowledge — Lifeline 2007-10-07 06:17

My apologies, i have done a bit of research into what you have said about the cell processors SPE's and it seems you are correct. I have just been mislead again by other sources from other websites. Should know better I suppose..what a waste of creative power for one SPU to be used only for the OS, all that maths intensive calculations and stuff running at 3.2Ghz for the rather simplistic looking OS.....Waste.

Still what do you think of the above quote that this so called super PS3 would have 8 fully functional SPU's..Unlikely considering the cell yield and the fact developers use only the 6 SPU's that are available in normal PS3's!

# ^ — Fallen 2007-10-07 06:25

I think its for stuff like 8 player split screen with only 1 console, A pretty neat idea if it actually happened.

# Eh? More like, wow! :) — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 07:26

"My apologies, i have done a bit of research into what you have said about the cell processors SPE's and it seems you are correct."

*Gasp* An apology? Someone here admits he made an error ?!?!?!? My respect for you has risen greatly. :)

"..what a waste of creative power for one SPU to be used only for the OS"

Agreed, it is a waste, but it's probably componsated for by the power of the remaining SPUs for arithmetic. The amount of memory the OS requires is also a bit wasteful, requiring a little over 2.6 times as much memory as the OS on the 360.

The plus side is that over time, less memory should be required by the OS and greater use should be made of the reserved SPU, and who knows, perhaps a way will be found for it to be used in PS3 games in future.

"Still what do you think of the above quote that this so called super PS3 would have 8 fully functional SPU's..Unlikely considering the cell yield and the fact developers use only the 6 SPU's that are available in normal PS3's!"

Exactly, it's not going to happen because it would mean changing the main specs of the console (the CPU), and this would break a fundimental rule for consoles. So 8 SPUs are as likely as a faster Cell processor or a faster GPU or the RAM being increased to 1GB. Hence the spec of the CPU, GPU and RAM will always remain the same, it's the other components which are subject to change (ports, HDD size, controller etc).

# Well remember system linking? — na2rul 2007-10-07 09:04

I think Sony was a lil too optimistic with the already multifunctional PS3 so that 1 ps3 can deal with it without linking 2 ps3s together.

# seems to be... — Shatterdome 2007-10-07 12:06

close to the original stats of the PS3...

Where it could be used as a hub as well as have dual monitor/TV output....

No doubt it will be more expensive, but Sony said they would be releasing more "advanced" configurations for those that wanted it...

# get over it — kingtoid 2007-10-07 13:01

Here is the actual CELL die.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/da/Cell_Broadband_Engine_Processor.jpg/300px-

Debate over it all you want but this is the physical CELL processor. I am not going to interpret what 8 SPE's means but I really would like it if everyone would just accept one common truth and/or just plain getover it and move on to other comments.

# dual hdmi=qxga — user name user 1 2007-10-07 16:43

could 2 hdmi drive a dual-dvi monitor of 2560 x 1600 resolution? like the apple cinema, or dell 3007WFP, and 3GB ports for external HDD, or one of those hdhomerun HDTV tuners, or external clients monitor screens.

# With all due respect kingtoid — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 17:35

You're the one who has to get over it.

Only 7 of those SPEs are being used in the PS3, as specified by Sony themselves (see the link in my post above).

That's the common truth which *you* need to accept. :|

So why the denial when you clearly haven't even bothered to read why only 7 of those 8 SPEs are in use in the PS3?

# That's the problem Shatterdome — KnowLedge 2007-10-07 17:44

It's TOO close to the original specs for my liking, and therefore seems more likely to be specs suggested up by someone based upon those original specs.

The area I'm most skeptical of is the mention of 8 SPEs, since if it was true, it would only be available outside of gaming, such as within Linux (you can't have PS3 games running under different CPU configurations) .

We'll see.

# KnowLedge — kingtoid 2007-10-08 11:26

When I said "get over it" I was directing it at people like you. You comment is exactly what I was asking you all to get over.

I said I am not going to interpret what 8 SPE's means because I do not know. What I do know is that the die that is linked to in the post above has 8 physical SPE's.

I know little compared to some about the CELL so I can not tell you what it means. I can only tell you to please move on to a different topic.

Comment on something else.

# in theory... — kingtoid 2007-10-08 11:31

you could use 2 HDMI and some adapters to make a dual-DVI setup but that is not what it is designed to do. So, probably not but it is a nice thought.

I don't think that the PS3 has enough video RAM to do that high resolutions and/or twin 1080p monitors.

# This is a discussion forum — KnowLedge 2007-10-08 11:39

Therefore it's for people to discuss whatever subject is ON topic, and the number of SPEs used in the PS3 IS on topic given the claim of 8 SPEs in the rumoured specs, compared to 7 active SPEs in the PS3.

So this is nothing for people 'like me' to get over when it's ON TOPIC, it's for people like you to accept what discussion forums are all about and try making a useful contribution for a change.

# And I would just add... — KnowLedge 2007-10-08 11:44

"I can only tell you to please move on to a different topic."

It is not for you to decide what people should or should not comment on and for how long they discuss it. If you don't like what you read, then say nothing and ignore it. How difficult is that?

# Excuse me for interrupting in but... — Games4James 2007-10-08 12:18

I'm not sure what you're saying 'kingtoid'. If you don't understand it, then you shouldn't be criticising others for discussing something you say you don't understand.

A-n-y-w-a-y...

Here's the original E3 2005 PS3 specs as copied from Sony (you'll find them from many sources) - http://www.ps3land.com/ps3specs.php

"CPU...

7 x SPE @3.2GHz...

* 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for redundancy"

Exactly as 'KnowLedge' says, 8 SPEs but only 7 of those 8 SPEs in use, with one SPE permenantly reserved for redundancy (as Sony put's it) for better yields and lower costs.

That's the same Cell processor, it hasn't changed, it still has 8 SPEs, but notice how Sony state that 1 of the 8 SPEs are reserved (unused), and they explicitly state that 7 SPEs are used in the CPU.

So this rumoured spec is now claiming that all 8 SPEs are in use in the CPU, instead of 7. No redundancy at all. This is what KnowLedge is challenging, and I agree with him.

And notice how, except for the size of the HDD and DS3 controller, everything else in these rumoured specs can be found in the original PS3 specs from E3 2005.

Ok... I go now... :)

# @ Games4James — KnowLedge 2007-10-08 17:36

That's what I've been saying all along!!! Thanks.

So I don't get your problem here kingtoid, I'm only pointing this out because I think it shows that the rumour is likely to be false, I'm not attacking the PS3 for using 7 SPEs, because 1 SPE for redundancy makes perfect sense for the console (and I've given the reasons why already!).

Again, if you don't like reading this, just ignore it. ;)

# random.... — SOLID_SNAKE_ARM_OF_ONE 2007-10-17 14:03

im also skeptical of the 50mhz boost RSX has gotten , correct me if im wrong but wasnt it down graded to just 500mhz like the 360? would this mean games wud run a tad bit better i mean a tad bit better lol

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