PS3 80GB Core unit and 65nm RSX GPU

[brbubba]

So you bought the unit and then returned it just to run power consumption tests???

[corejava2]

Quote from couch21 : Purchased the 80GB Core PS3 unit this evening at local Best Buy. Here's what I've confirmed: Model number is CECHK01, which has not been updated on Sony's official list of PS3 models yet. According to the manual, power consumption is rated at a max of 280 watts, same as the 40GB model. However, I ran the 80GB Core unit into a Kill-a-watt and confirmed that the power draw is SLIGHTLY lower (10%) than the 40GB unit. 40GB PS3 - XMB idle - 125.8 watts DVD playback - 141.2 watts PS3 MGS4 - 155.2 watts 80GB PS3 Core- XMB idle - 111.9 watts DVD playback - 126.0 watts PS3 MGS4 - 130.0 watts Overall, you can notice a consistent 15-25 watt savings average, which honestly does not amount to much. I did not open the Core unit to examine the internals (I'll leave that to someone else at the risk of voiding the warranty), but I've pretty much concluded that the 80GB Core unit includes some additional energy savings, albeit very slight and probably not worth the upgrade if you already purchased a 40GB system. Is this enough to certify the 65nm RSX GPU exists? I'd say the slight energy savings would lead to that conclusion, although one cannot know for sure until one opens the actual board. After running some detailed Kill-a-watt comparisons, I'm sending the 80GB PS3 back to BB. It was good to discover the energy savings, but 15-25 watts of a difference does not present a significant savings over the 65nm CPU/90nm GPU of the 40GB unit. Honestly, I think any speculation of dramatic efficiency with a 65nm GPU is greatly exaggerated if this is the tangible energy difference that's being observed. I welcome others to try their own tests and see if they come to a different conclusion.

hey man good work thanks for the input.

[couch21]

Quote from brbubba : So you bought the unit and then returned it just to run power consumption tests???

Not really. I had intended to keep it if the power savings were more significant and drop the 40GB PS3, but I was pretty disappointed in the difference.

[-KRATOS-]

Quote from couch21 : Not really. I had intended to keep it if the power savings were more significant and drop the 40GB PS3, but I was pretty disappointed in the difference.

Did you explain the wattage comparison to the BB employees and why they weren't significant enough to keep it?

[brbubba]

Quote from couch21 : Not really. I had intended to keep it if the power savings were more significant and drop the 40GB PS3, but I was pretty disappointed in the difference.

Why didn't you just wait for the official numbers? Seems like a waste to me.

[-KRATOS-]

Quote from brbubba : Why didn't you just wait for the official numbers? Seems like a waste to me.

Its just not the same if you don't calculate the power draws for yourself. Duh.

[Tel0004]

If you are interested in the MGS4 comparison, I can do it tommorow, since I have a kill a watt.

I would assume its about the same, only slighly higer because of (hardware?) backwards compability.

[brbubba]

Quote from Tel0004 : If you are interested in the MGS4 comparison, I can do it tommorow, since I have a kill a watt. I would assume its about the same, only slighly higer because of (hardware?) backwards compability.

My old 60GB, which I sold, was significantly higher, something like 50% more energy being used than my 40GB. But exact numbers would be good to have.

[couch21]

Quote from -KRATOS- : Did you explain the wattage comparison to the BB employees and why they weren't significant enough to keep it?

Not too difficult - all I had to do was give the bogus excuse that I was dissatisfied there was no PS2 backwards compatibility. The BB employee responded "Really? Sony removed PS2 compatibility?"

[Brian9]

Quote from brbubba : So you bought the unit and then returned it just to run power consumption tests???

[Ice Cold Kila]

wow I'll have to wait for official word from Sony on this one.

no official word if the new SKU even has a 65nm CPU let alone a 65nm GPU

I would guess that "if" it had both CPU and GPU as 65nm there would be a significant power saving and lowered Watt use.

[Neo42]

Quote from Ice Cold Kila : no official word if the new SKU even has a 65nm CPU

You're kidding, right? I'd be surprised if they are still manufacturing the older 90nm CPU.

[Tel0004]

Results for PS3 MGS4 80 gig

XMB idle:180 watts
Bluray playback: 182 watts
DVD playback:197 watts
Game (MGS4):200 watts

I'm a bit surprised, the results are about 25% higher. I would have guessed it to be around 10%. I'm not worried about power consumption, as I only play 5-8 hours a week, but one complaint I do have is the PS3 being too loud, so I'm sure yours is a lot quieter, since it puts off less heat. (I only sit two feet away, since its hooked up to my computer)

Good to know.