Almost everything you need to know about upgrading your Playstation 3's HDD! ~ 01/14/2009
I've culled a lot of the great information and discussion results posted in this thread, and decided to assemble them (with credits) into this first post. Bear in mind that this is, in essence, a distillation of the information available inside this thread, as of this revision date. If you want to partake of all of the juicy details, by all means read through the thread.
If anyone has issue with anything I've quoted, please PM me and I'll deal with. I do plan on keeping this OP updated periodically, and welcome suggestions as to possible additions/revisions to this post. Many thanks to all who've contributed. You are unsung heroes for shining your light of knowledge and so banishing the darkness of our ignorance.
Basic Info and Process Summary:
Regarding Tools...
Mej edit - Just use pliers and save yourself the frustration. The main blue screw gave way easily enough, allowing me to pull out the PS3's HDD tray. But those four evil bastards that secure the HDD to the tray? Use pliers to unscrew them. Way easier, and you won't damage the screws. I basically destroyed 3 of the 4. Only 1 came out with a screwdriver before getting stripped. I had to remove the remaining 3 screws with pliers, and just generally had an easier time with that tool instead of the screwdrivers.
So... Phillips-head screwdrivers, or Pozidriv? Tutorials and whatnot out there can't seem to agree? NeoGAF to the rescue! Specifically...
When all else (read: screwdrivers) fail, there's always...
Viable HDD Candidates:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148336 (Verified by Mejilan)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148371
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314 (Verified by Sporty)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136197 (Verified by pj325is & Colonel Nelson)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136279 (Verified by leehom)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152111 (Verified by Jim)
What's this about 7200RPM HDDs over 5400RPM HDDs? And what about the cache?
Depending on when your PS3 was manufactured, and which "generation" of hardware you have, your PS3 probably came with a 5400RPM drive featuring a 4MB or 8MB cache. It's commonly accepted that the PS3 does not properly utilized faster spinning (7200RPM) HDDs. You WILL get a nominal boost in load times, but nothing truly substantial. However, getting a HDD with a larger cache (such as 8MB or 16MB) does seem to result in more tangible performance benefits! There used to be concerns that 7200RPM drives generated too much heat for the PS3 to properly diffuse, and this might have been true two years ago, but honestly, it sounds like a bit of FUD to me...
What about all these new-fangled SATA 3.0 drives I keep hearing about? Some report that the PS3 prefers the older SATA 1.5 drives, and will occasionally fail to recognize SATA 3.0 drives upon boot... Well, you can force your SATA 3.0 drives to function as SATA 1.5 drives by properly applying jumpers. Refer to your HDDs documentation for further details. Here's an idea of what you will need...
Finally, Links to Tutorials:
How to upgrade your Playstation 3 harddrive ~ Gamespot.com, James Yu, 08/03/2007
How to Swap Out and Upgrade a PS3 Hard Drive ~ Gamepro.com, Tenacious Moses, 08/01/2007
Upgrade the PS3 Hard Drive to get more Space for Games, Demos, and Media ~ About.com, Jason Rybka
PS3 Hard Drive Upgrade Tutorial [Video] ~ IGN Entertainment via YouTube
How to upgrade your PS3 hard drive [Video] ~ CNet.com via Youtube
Further Reading and Miscellaneous:
Original post below: ~ 01/09/2009
I swear I did multiple searches. I couldn't find any single thread dedicated to PS3 HDD upgrades, and the best results that I could find were mostly 2007 threads. I wasn't about to necro-bump one of those, especially since technology (and prices) can change quite a bit 1-2 years.
So here I am. I've got a US near-launch 60GB PS3 model. I'm looking to juice that up a few times over. I'm pretty sure I need a 2.5" SATA HDD (laptop-sized?) and some kind of special screw driver so as to not strip the screws that secure the HDD.
I've never shopped for this sized HDD before, so I'm not too sure what makes for a great deal/value. Considering that I just got a cheapy 500GB HDD upgrade for my PS2, I'd like to get to at least half of that with my PS3, while staying within ~$100 price-range, if possible. I have a marked preference for Seagate. 5400RPM vs. 7200RPM? I'm eyeballing a couple of Seagate Momentus drives over at Newegg at the moment...
Also, what do I need in order to perform a comprehensive backup of all of my saves, DLC, etc. I've not filled up the 60GB drive, so I'm not too sure how much I need to backup, or how much the PS3's backup software actually does backup. Saves and DLC, I imagine, are included. Any on-board vids and songs as well, right? What about retail game installations?
Edit - So what screwdrivers WILL I need?
I've culled a lot of the great information and discussion results posted in this thread, and decided to assemble them (with credits) into this first post. Bear in mind that this is, in essence, a distillation of the information available inside this thread, as of this revision date. If you want to partake of all of the juicy details, by all means read through the thread.
If anyone has issue with anything I've quoted, please PM me and I'll deal with. I do plan on keeping this OP updated periodically, and welcome suggestions as to possible additions/revisions to this post. Many thanks to all who've contributed. You are unsung heroes for shining your light of knowledge and so banishing the darkness of our ignorance.
Basic Info and Process Summary:
Goldrusher said:hdd requirements:
2.5" SATA (aka a laptop hdd)
9.5 mm height
speed: 5400 rpm or faster
cache: 8MB or more
size/capacity: as much as you want
screws:
use the biggest fitting screwdriver you have, and use one that looks "too big" before trying with a smaller one
use pliers to loosen them a bit, if the screwdriver you have messes them up
back-ups:
the backup utility backs up everything, except for the user info (Mej edit: and Trophy data, so synchronize to server first), which is stored on the PS3 itself
you can't use a backup from one PS3 on another PS3
installing the new drive:
you might need a "storage medium" containing the latest system software, which can be found here: http://www.us.playstation.com/Support/SystemUpdates/PS3/pc_update.html
Killthee said:You can find out how much space you're currently using by going to Settings -> System Settings -> System Information
The backup software will not backup the local Trophy data and copyright protected Videos (not sure about PS1/2 virtual memory cards). It will backup everything else; DRM free Videos, Music, Pics, PSN Games, Game Install's, Game Data, Partial Downloads, Copy Protect PS3 Saves, etc...
To perform a backup you just need a FAT32 partitioned drive/mem card with enough space to hold everything.
Regarding Tools...
Mej edit - Just use pliers and save yourself the frustration. The main blue screw gave way easily enough, allowing me to pull out the PS3's HDD tray. But those four evil bastards that secure the HDD to the tray? Use pliers to unscrew them. Way easier, and you won't damage the screws. I basically destroyed 3 of the 4. Only 1 came out with a screwdriver before getting stripped. I had to remove the remaining 3 screws with pliers, and just generally had an easier time with that tool instead of the screwdrivers.
Jim said:Don't use a jewelers screwdriver. Don't use a jewelers screwdriver. Don't use a jewelers screwdriver.
Those screws are made for Japanese Industrial Standard bits. The next best thing is a large handled screwdriver with a long, snug fitting bit. Test fit whatever you have with a big handle and use that. The screws come right out. Big screwdriver, small bit.
Small jewelers screwdrivers, even though they look like they would fit, are no good.
More or less. Mostly because you don't have enough twisting leverage, and some of the screws are tight enough (not everyone's are) where trying to apply enough pressure and twist with the with the small handle will cause it to strip, since the bits aren't designed for those screw heads. (Mej edit: It's an issue of torque.)
Pristine_Condition said:I think there are a couple clarifications to be made here:
Don't use a "jewelers" or "precision" screwdriver with those tiny, thin metal handles. That's why you had to mess with the vice to get enough torque. If you use a larger handle diameter, you can get plenty of leverage/torque. That's just basic physics at work. You won't think the screws are too tight if you use a better screwdriver handle. Believe me, the first two swaps I did were with precision screwdrivers, and I definitely had to "break" the initial grip of the screws with a needlenose to avoid stripping. Since I switched to a larger-handled set, I haven't had to do it.
I use a set designed for use with electronics construction/repair, with a handle that is about twice the size of a precision driver, but still has the little piece on the top of the handle that spins. My set is the "5 Piece ESD Safe Screwdriver Set" by General Tools Mfg. Co. (Pt. No. 713, UPC 22170) which I bought from Fry's Electronics for around $15.
Also, the #0 screwdriver size is actually too small. You can get the job done in a pinch with that size, but you really risk stripping the screw more than if you use the PROPER SIZE, which is a #1. (#1 x 2-1/2" to be precise)
So... Phillips-head screwdrivers, or Pozidriv? Tutorials and whatnot out there can't seem to agree? NeoGAF to the rescue! Specifically...
Durante said:I just opened mine (Mej edit: PS3) and investigated it
The screw heads are not pozidrive at all. They are Philips, and unlike most said previously, after some testing I would suggest a #2 Philips bit to screw/unscrew them.
(I don't get the whole problem though now that I tried it, they are easy to remove/replace with a philips #1 or #2 bit, and quite possible with a #0 or a pozidrive #0/#1)
When all else (read: screwdrivers) fail, there's always...
Beardz said:You will need this
Viable HDD Candidates:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148336 (Verified by Mejilan)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822148371
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136314 (Verified by Sporty)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136197 (Verified by pj325is & Colonel Nelson)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136279 (Verified by leehom)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152111 (Verified by Jim)
What's this about 7200RPM HDDs over 5400RPM HDDs? And what about the cache?
Depending on when your PS3 was manufactured, and which "generation" of hardware you have, your PS3 probably came with a 5400RPM drive featuring a 4MB or 8MB cache. It's commonly accepted that the PS3 does not properly utilized faster spinning (7200RPM) HDDs. You WILL get a nominal boost in load times, but nothing truly substantial. However, getting a HDD with a larger cache (such as 8MB or 16MB) does seem to result in more tangible performance benefits! There used to be concerns that 7200RPM drives generated too much heat for the PS3 to properly diffuse, and this might have been true two years ago, but honestly, it sounds like a bit of FUD to me...
What about all these new-fangled SATA 3.0 drives I keep hearing about? Some report that the PS3 prefers the older SATA 1.5 drives, and will occasionally fail to recognize SATA 3.0 drives upon boot... Well, you can force your SATA 3.0 drives to function as SATA 1.5 drives by properly applying jumpers. Refer to your HDDs documentation for further details. Here's an idea of what you will need...
mintylurb said:
The one on the left is usually used for 2.5" hdds. The one on the right is for 3.5" hdds or cdvd/br/hdvd drives.
Finally, Links to Tutorials:
How to upgrade your Playstation 3 harddrive ~ Gamespot.com, James Yu, 08/03/2007
How to Swap Out and Upgrade a PS3 Hard Drive ~ Gamepro.com, Tenacious Moses, 08/01/2007
Upgrade the PS3 Hard Drive to get more Space for Games, Demos, and Media ~ About.com, Jason Rybka
PS3 Hard Drive Upgrade Tutorial [Video] ~ IGN Entertainment via YouTube
How to upgrade your PS3 hard drive [Video] ~ CNet.com via Youtube
Further Reading and Miscellaneous:
chimster said:Can't really help you with selecting a hard drive but you might be able to find something in this thread.
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=240615
polyh3dron said:THIS LINK should help
Original post below: ~ 01/09/2009
I swear I did multiple searches. I couldn't find any single thread dedicated to PS3 HDD upgrades, and the best results that I could find were mostly 2007 threads. I wasn't about to necro-bump one of those, especially since technology (and prices) can change quite a bit 1-2 years.
So here I am. I've got a US near-launch 60GB PS3 model. I'm looking to juice that up a few times over. I'm pretty sure I need a 2.5" SATA HDD (laptop-sized?) and some kind of special screw driver so as to not strip the screws that secure the HDD.
I've never shopped for this sized HDD before, so I'm not too sure what makes for a great deal/value. Considering that I just got a cheapy 500GB HDD upgrade for my PS2, I'd like to get to at least half of that with my PS3, while staying within ~$100 price-range, if possible. I have a marked preference for Seagate. 5400RPM vs. 7200RPM? I'm eyeballing a couple of Seagate Momentus drives over at Newegg at the moment...
Also, what do I need in order to perform a comprehensive backup of all of my saves, DLC, etc. I've not filled up the 60GB drive, so I'm not too sure how much I need to backup, or how much the PS3's backup software actually does backup. Saves and DLC, I imagine, are included. Any on-board vids and songs as well, right? What about retail game installations?
Edit - So what screwdrivers WILL I need?