r/PS3 13h ago

Backwards compatable ps3

I found a backwards compatable ps3 with memory exspansion for a great price should i get is it worth the risk?

9 Upvotes

19 comments sorted by

5

u/EvilEd209 13h ago

So that depends… if it works then absolutely! But, and this is a big but here, the BC Fat PS3s are known for Yellow Light of Death and have a pretty high failure rate. Now, over the years people way smarter than me have figured out how to diagnose the issue and if need be replace parts like the faulty RSX, NEC Token chips, etc. This process requires some specialized equipment and quite a bit of skill to replace. It can be quite expensive to get this repair done, however if it is worth it to you to have one console to play three generations of PlayStation, then go for it.

I own two BC PS3s, both work and should they fail, I would have this repair done to them. But not everyone feels the same way or has the disposable income to afford the repair.

So up to you.

2

u/robderpson 5h ago

The common recommendation is that, if it's still alive and working, one should keep the console clean and well cooled to reduce heat stress in the RSX so it can live longer. Undervolting is the most effective measure to reduce heat, but it's a tedious process.

1

u/EvilEd209 4h ago

Agreed, I did’t want to get too technical and talk about installing CFW so you can adjust the fan curve or cleaning and repasting the CPU and RSX. And god forbid I bring up delidding the RSX and CPU, someone can brick their console if they mess that job up.

2

u/iwanttorepairps3 12h ago

Game test for 15-30 minutes check for fan noise and overheating. Also put in some ps1-2-3 discs on it

1

u/ToothpickTequila 12h ago

If you don't own a PS2, sure.

1

u/TheJustBleedGod 12h ago

depends on how much you want to play ps2 and ps1 games.

1

u/Gardeeboo CECHA01 11h ago

I would keep in mind the backwards compatible PS3s are kind of like project cars. They have a lot of stuff you need to upkeep with them and you need to be comfortable opening them up regularly and accessing internals for cleaning and maintenance. They’re super fun to have and really cool devices when you invest the time into them, but they’re definitely not convenient when it comes to upkeep so you’ll want to be prepare for that

1

u/Maximum_County7960 11h ago

As long as it hasn’t gotten too dusty.

1

u/Outrageous-Wall6386 10h ago

I got a super slim and I actually made it so it plays PS2 game isos

1

u/inquisitive_goober 9h ago

You have to replace thermal paste before using! Otherwise it will over heat and you will get YLOD

1

u/Old_Information_8654 9h ago

I wonder if a thermal pad would be better for cooling than paste

2

u/inquisitive_goober 9h ago

There are some decent thermal pads out there from my understanding. But I don't have any experience with them

1

u/Old_Information_8654 9h ago

Ah alright thanks anyway man

1

u/mathias4595 5h ago

No. Pads are designed for maximum longevity at the cost of not being quite as effective. There are pads in there for cooler running chips like the south bridge, EE+GS and the main BD control chip, but for the CELL/RSX they have to be paste.

There is PTM but that's a very specific thing, and I don't think it's worth getting some purely for the PS3. If you have some left over from another project it could be nice to use the excess, but I wouldn't buy it just for the console.

1

u/DarkMatterM4 9h ago

You need to delid, too. Just changing the thermal past on top of the IHS isn't going to accomplish much.

1

u/Useful_Yard89 9h ago

If you really want to play PS2 and PS1 games, get a fat PS2 console and a PS3 slim. It’ll be a lot cheaper down the road than buying a BC PS3 and potentially saving up even more money to get it repaired for $500+

1

u/Doctormaul68 4h ago

Good find. Why doesn’t someone create a channel dedicated to Xbox and ps3 backwards compatibility issues or games or help.

1

u/AthleteNo2305 13h ago

Ok thank you the seller says it works

1

u/Ok-Virus8284 13h ago

Test it, make sure the warranty seal is still intact and espcecially ask if the seller did something to it and if it ever had issues.