I know from experience that the 60gb PS3 was loud when folding@home and I also heard complaints from owners of the 40gb version.

I know this is an AV forum, but the most extreme application for the PS3 is folding@home or demanding games and if it is quiet whiling folding then it WILL BE QUIET as a DVD/bluray player. It is my understanding that the current 80gb is suppose to have 65nm chipset, die size or whatever on some aspect of the PS3 hardware it would be nice to know: 1) If the 65nm version is VERY quiet when folding; AND 2) How can you tell what version has the 65nm chips such as ALL 80gb versions or only 80gb version made after a certain date or serial number?

I also heard that Sony was suppose to be coming out with a 45nm version of the PS3 but I cant find anything more current than January or February of 2008 news and that only says that IBM is changing to this die size, but doesn't say when this will be incorporated into the PS3. I can find no current info on the 45nm transition. Also exactly what is suppose to be 65nm or 45nm in the PS3? Cell Processor, chipset, both and/or something else?

I see on Sony website that they are releasing a 160gb version of the PS3 with a game for a $499 any info if this version will have the 45nm chips?

I would really like a PS3 for the flexibility over a stand alone bluray player, but if IIRC that 60gb version that I owned had 3 different fan speeds: low - which was totally quiet; medium which you could audibly hear during quiet scenes of movies; high which was VERY annoying during movies and it always occured within an hr of starting folding@home and because of this it was unacceptable. The only good thing was in the winter time with the fan on high it did help to warm that particular room - which is a bad reason for owning a PS3.

I would really like a PS3, but not until they are dead quiet with the most demanding games or folding.

Thanks for the replies. Also if you comment that your PS3 is totally quiet when folding can you please state what version 80Gb for example and the date of purchase and if you bought it new from a retailer. It would give me an idea if what is 'currently' available now from Sony will really be quiet.

I returned my 40GB (purchased 10/07, manufactured 9/07) to costco two months ago for a new 80GB core (sorry, unknown manufactured date). My 40GB was way too loud for watching movies. I have never heard my new 80GB make a noise, except if I'm right next to it.

I don't fold, so I can't tell you if that turns up the fan. But I have done long gaming sessions without the fan becoming audible from around 8 feet away.

No PS3 is totally quiet; there are so many other variable besides chip size (ventilation, other noise in the room, their sound setup, etc) that any one person's testimony would not be reliable enough to base a purchase on. The newer ones may technically be quieter (ie, does not heat up as much to require the fan speed to kick into gear) but the idea of it ever being completely silent during something like folding is a little ridiculous.

If you want a dead quiet system, I recommend a SNES.

It's very tough to give a definitive answer - too many variables. It depends on ambient temps, location, ventilation.................

Even under the heaviest load I never (40gb) have the fan speed up during the winter when it's cooler in the house.........in the summer it will come on after a couple hours heavy gaming. I have never had the fan kick into a higher speed when watching movies, it's just not working hard enough (note that's blu-ray, don't use it for SD material)

The reduced the die of the Cell, the RSX hasn't been reduced (ASFAIK).

My new 80 GB is cool and quiet. I was borrowing a friend's older model, and it was hot and loud.

Same environment. Sitting on top of my A/V stand, running the same movies and games, same temp in the house, etc.

Model for model, in the same setting, the new 80 GB unit is much quieter and cooler.

The newer chip consumes about 40% less electricity, that's a fact. So, it would make sense that it would have less heat and less noise (since the fan can run slower because of lower heat).

The downside is my model is not backwards compatible, and his is. So, it's a trade-off as to what is more important to you. He has something like over 100+ PS2 games. So in his case backwards compatibility was the most important factor. For me, I don't have any PS2 games, so quiet and cool was the most important factor.

I guess it varies from console to console but my 60gb launch PS3 is very quiet. Can barely hear it.

It is pretty easy to tell too considering it noisy Microsoft brother is right next door,heh.

If you want a dead quiet system, I recommend a SNES.Ok whats a SNES?

I appreciate the replies so far, some of you that have said that you have a quiet PS3 didn't mention if your only watching movies (in that case I would expect it to be much quieter) or if your folding or playing games that are going to cause the fan speed to increase.

I agree it will depend on the ambient room temp. where the PS3 is located (in or outside a cabinet) etc. I just remember last winter with a room temp as low as 60 F with excellent ventilation around the pS3 and making sure that all the PS3 fan vents and intakes were clear that when folding the PS3 ALWAYS kicked into the noisy high speed.

What I read concerning the 45nm chips is that they would consume 1/3 of the power of the 90nm and IIRC that would be going from about 150 watts to 50 watts and I would think at 50 watts the PS3 would never get hot enough to go into the highest fan speed which would be ideal and solve the noise issue.

I guess it varies from console to console but my 60gb launch PS3 is very quiet. Can barely hear it.

It is pretty easy to tell too considering it noisy Microsoft brother is right next door,heh.Movies only or are you folding and gaming also and it still remains quiet?

I think it varies from console to console. I have a 40g that is dead quiet - even when folding.

Ok whats a SNES?

http://www.timewarpgamer.com/images/consoles/snes_3c.jpg

:)

I think it varies from console to console. I have a 40g that is dead quiet - even when folding.That is simply amazing. It reminds me a couple years ago some video cards were spec'd with 'golden chips' that simply would scale higher than another chip that was exactly the same. I wonder if something similar is going on with the PS3 where some chips simply run more efficiently and therefore cooler which means quieter? This would certainly explain why some have loud PS3's and you have a quiet unit when folding.

That is simply amazing. It reminds me a couple years ago some video cards were spec'd with 'golden chips' that simply would scale higher than another chip that was exactly the same. I wonder if something similar is going on with the PS3 where some chips simply run more efficiently and therefore cooler which means quieter? This would certainly explain why some have loud PS3's and you have a quiet unit when folding.

Another possibility is the human factor. Maybe someone slipped up while applying thermal paste or something so a normally 'cooler' system tends to heat up. I do not know the specifics of how the PS3s are put together so it's hard to say. There are a number of possibilities.

http://www.timewarpgamer.com/images/consoles/snes_3c.jpg

:)Yea. I just googled 'SNES' your definetely right it would be MUCH cooler, but not to effective for Blu-rays or MGS4....:eek::)

I wonder how long it would take for the SNES to draw one frame of MGS4....:) ? A very long time.

Yea. I just googled 'SNES' your definetely right it would be MUCH cooler, but not to effective for Blu-rays or MGS4....:eek::)

lol, no, probably not :)

That is simply amazing. It reminds me a couple years ago some video cards were spec'd with 'golden chips' that simply would scale higher than another chip that was exactly the same. I wonder if something similar is going on with the PS3 where some chips simply run more efficiently and therefore cooler which means quieter? This would certainly explain why some have loud PS3's and you have a quiet unit when folding.

Personally, I think it has more to do with room (ambient) temperature and ventilation...

Another possibility is the human factor. Maybe someone slipped up while applying thermal paste or something so a normally 'cooler' system tends to heat up. I do not know the specifics of how the PS3s are put together so it's hard to say. There are a number of possibilities.
Well you bring up a very good possibility. If it is something that simple I would think Sony would want to address that ASAP because I'm sure many PS3s have been returned because of noise and I'm sure it would spike their warranty claims as heat and electronics don't mix well.

With the 45nm chips - everyone wins, from the gamers who probably don't care that much about the noise to the audio users who want the flexibility of a bluray player and game machine but want a silent machine.

My newest 40gb is quieter than my "last of the 80gb with BC" model when folding. But, I don't fold when I'm in any room where it would bug me. They are both quiet when playing back DVDs and BDs, and that's my biggest concern. And as stated right above, it has more to do with the ambient temperature than anything else. Even the 80gb won't go into full bore cooling when the room is cool.

I recently went from an old 60gig to a new 80. I noticed a big difference in
the fan noise, and the heat generated by the ps3.

Personally, I think it has more to do with room (ambient) temperature and ventilation...If you fold and have a quiet PS3 and live in Omaha that explains a lot. I was in Omaha on Feb 4th 1989 when an Arctic cold front came down from Alaska and the windchill was -84 F that's right almost a hundred below zero! My brother just helped me move to Fremont and so we made the 30 mile drive to Omaha - down parkas zipped up all the way and we never took our coats off in Chichi's in Omaha the heat just couldn't keep up. It was definitely scary if his Blazer would have froze up....well I thank God it didn't.

I recently went from an old 60gig to a new 80. I noticed a big difference in
the fan noise, and the heat generated by the ps3.

My 60 runs noticeably hotter then my 40...but I wouldn't say it's louder. I wouldn't say either one is noisy...but not dead quiet either.

If you fold and have a quiet PS3 and live in Omaha that explains a lot. I was in Omaha on Feb 4th 1989 when an Arctic cold front came down from Alaska and the windchill was -84 F that's right almost a hundred below zero! My brother just helped me move to Fremont and so we made the 30 mile drive to Omaha - down parkas zipped up all the way and we never took our coats off in Chichi's in Omaha the heat just couldn't keep up. It was definitely scary if his Blazer would have froze up....well I thank God it didn't.

I remember that :D:D:D. They had canceled all schools, so what do me and my buddies do...drive out to Elkhorn to another buddies house to play poker/drink beer all night. I was driving a pos Datsun B210 at the time and my heater couldn't keep up either (windows would freeze up...on the inside :eek:).

My PS3 sometimes makes a farting noise. Anyone else experience that? Kek?

My PS3 sometimes makes a farting noise. Anyone else experience that? Kek?

Farting noises, no...I've never heard that. I was playing online with avarice one time and I swear his had a fapping noise though...:confused:

I dunno...weird.

Hmm, I was under the impression that Folding turns the system fan up to max speed, so judging by how loud the fan is while running it isn't actually informative of the system as a whole for gaming, etc. But I can't find confirmation of that.

My 60GB PS3's fan kicks in almost immediately when folding, and it gets loud when gaming and movie playing too. It used to be quiet (except when folding) when it was new, but a combination of dust, standing upright (no room to lay flat in new A/V setup), and such probably contributed to the noise.

My 60 runs noticeably hotter then my 40...but I wouldn't say it's louder. I wouldn't say either one is noisy...but not dead quiet either.

I have to agree with this statement...as far as the 60 is concerned. Its fans chime in, almost invariably during game and movie playback, but they are not loud enough to significantly disrupt my experience. If I had a choice, I would, of course, prefer that it was quieter during movie playback, but I can tolerate it.

FWIW, my 60 is laying horizontal with at least an open 6-8 inches on every side of it.

I had a launch 60 Gb that made considerable noise folding, and you could hear the fan during movies and games as well. It croaked not too long ago, and I got one of the new non-bc 80 Gb's to replace it. I have yet to hear it make a noise, and it went right to folding. These are in identical locations - a shelf in a bookcase-style entertainment center closed on three sides.

I had a launch 60 Gb that made considerable noise folding, and you could hear the fan during movies and games as well. It croaked not too long ago, and I got one of the new non-bc 80 Gb's to replace it. I have yet to hear it make a noise, and it went right to folding. These are in identical locations - a shelf in a bookcase-style entertainment center closed on three sides.Was it replaced under warranty?

I'm wondering if the new PS3's are relying more on a radiator or something such as piping and less on the fan to remove heat along with the smaller 65nm chips?

Does anyone have any info when the 45nm chips will be available? I wonder if Sony will even disclose the 45nm when it happens or people will just come forward with, 'this PS3 pulls much lower wattage' or 'this thing really runs much cooler than older PS3s' as the only ways we'll find out they have released the smaller chips.

I had a launch 60 Gb that made considerable noise folding, and you could hear the fan during movies and games as well. It croaked not too long ago, and I got one of the new non-bc 80 Gb's to replace it. I have yet to hear it make a noise, and it went right to folding. These are in identical locations - a shelf in a bookcase-style entertainment center closed on three sides. sjyokel thanks for the detail on your setup especially with folding on your 80gb PS3 that is VERY helpful to know.

Maybe a few more people with the new 80gb versions can comment to see if there is a trend with more quiet machines when folding.

Yea. I just googled 'SNES' your definetely right it would be MUCH cooler, but not to effective for Blu-rays or MGS4....:eek::)

I wonder how long it would take for the SNES to draw one frame of MGS4....:) ? A very long time.

never; it doesn't have the memory.

Was it replaced under warranty?


No such luck. It was a good 8 months out of warranty, and I ended up just buying a new one. I struggled a bit on whether to send it in to Sony, and I still might, but I was aggravated at the time with their customer support (I documented my sorrows here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1070863&highlight=sjyokel)). I wonder if they'll still replace/fix it for $150 despite the fact that I disassembled it looking for the gremlins that sabotaged it.

But, back on topic, once I set up my new unit, I was pleasantly surprised about how quiet it is. I often can't even tell if it's folding or not....

When my 60gig is under load the fan gets pretty loud. It's not a high pitch loud, but you can definitely hear it. I can even hear while it's in my home theater's component room which is separated by a pain of glass.

The noise doesn't bother me as much as the fact that it gets so hot, though.

Under normal circumstances, my PS3 is barely audible.

Here is the link about the PS3 45nm chips from Intel from February 2008. Notice that it discusses Intel's "45nm high-k process":
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080207-ibm-shrinks-cell-to-45nm-cheaper-ps3s-will-follow.html

Then here is the info from Intel's 45nm Hafnium processors:
http://www.intel.com/technology/45nm/index.htm

Finally here is an article, "Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor
...and the Core 2 Duo E7200, too" from April of 2008:
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/14573

Since all of the above mentioned Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo chips are available from Intel and going back 6 months is it possible the PS3 already has the 45 nm chips incorporated and Sony just hasn't confirmed, but could explain why these newer ps3's can run intensive programs like folding without generating alot of heat or noise?

No such luck. It was a good 8 months out of warranty, and I ended up just buying a new one. I struggled a bit on whether to send it in to Sony, and I still might, but I was aggravated at the time with their customer support (I documented my sorrows here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1070863&highlight=sjyokel)). I wonder if they'll still replace/fix it for $150 despite the fact that I disassembled it looking for the gremlins that sabotaged it.That's why I usually buy electronics with a credit card that doubles the mfgr. warranty up to a year so if the PS3 has a 1 year warranty you get the 2nd year from the credit or charge card. If you charged your PS3 with a credit card maybe you can get them to pick up the replacement cost.

But, back on topic, once I set up my new unit, I was pleasantly surprised about how quiet it is. I often can't even tell if it's folding or not....That's excellent.

Question for you guys,

Looking at Futureshop's and Best Buy's website, there appears to be 2 versions of the 80gb core model right now. One is the 98013 which shows up on sonystyle, and the other is 98015 which I can't find reference for anywhere. Would these be the same model number PS3 with different boxes or something, spec wise they appear identical?

Thanks.

My launch system's fan is audible. It is only bothersome during 1080p upscaling of DVD during warmer months. Ambient temp plays a big factor it seems to me. Now that I'm in the new house and it is winter (68 degrees in house) it doesn't kick into a higher gear.

It is still not as loud as my fat PS2.

How can you tell what version has the 65nm chips such as ALL 80gb versions or only 80gb version made after a certain date or serial number?

Joystiq.com did a ps3 SKU comparison:
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/08/26/tabulator-comparing-the-playstation-3-skus/

I doubt what they say about the MGS4/Motorstorm 80GB sku is right though. It says that the CECHE01 has a 65nm cell if built in 2008, but 90nm cell if built in 2007. Everywhere else I've read says that those are all 90nm, regardless of when it was built.

my brand new 80 gig is dead silent. i have never heard a peep out of it yet.

Question for you guys,

Looking at Futureshop's and Best Buy's website, there appears to be 2 versions of the 80gb core model right now. One is the 98013 which shows up on sonystyle, and the other is 98015 which I can't find reference for anywhere. Would these be the same model number PS3 with different boxes or something, spec wise they appear identical?

Thanks.

The 98015 does show up on Sony's website now. Looks like it is replacing the 98013, that didn't take long :). I wonder if this one is the CECHL01 that was registered with the FCC.

^Any news on what the difference would be?

I have a 60 GB PS3 from about a month after launch and the noise is completely inaudible while you're playing a game. The only sound it really gives off is a low whir and it's definitely not a deal breaker.

^Any news on what the difference would be?

There is an ebay seller selling several with this model number:

CECHK01 - 98013


Anyone know if this is the latest version, or is this the earlier, hotter/louder version?


also, any opinions on buying a ps3 from an ebay seller who has little history of selling but now has alot of ps3? What I'm wondering is if its a Chinese "grey market" type of thing or coming from same channels as the big retailers?

Here is the link about the PS3 45nm chips from Intel from February 2008. Notice that it discusses Intel's "45nm high-k process":
http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20080207-ibm-shrinks-cell-to-45nm-cheaper-ps3s-will-follow.html

Then here is the info from Intel's 45nm Hafnium processors:
http://www.intel.com/technology/45nm/index.htm

Finally here is an article, "Intel's Core 2 Quad Q9300 processor
...and the Core 2 Duo E7200, too" from April of 2008:
http://www.techreport.com/articles.x/14573

Since all of the above mentioned Core 2 Quad and Core 2 Duo chips are available from Intel and going back 6 months is it possible the PS3 already has the 45 nm chips incorporated and Sony just hasn't confirmed, but could explain why these newer ps3's can run intensive programs like folding without generating alot of heat or noise?

I can tell you that chips from the 45 nm process are definitely not in the PS3 yet. I would not expect them before mid 2009.

Anyone know about the newer 80 gig core? The first review on Amazon mentions it has the 65nm Cell processor and the MGS pack does not, making the core system quieter. Thoughts? Truth / not? I'm looking to buy a PS3 almost exclusively for BluRay support but want to be sure I'm getting the quietest available..

Anyone know about the newer 80 gig core? The first review on Amazon mentions it has the 65nm Cell processor and the MGS pack does not, making the core system quieter. Thoughts? Truth / not? I'm looking to buy a PS3 almost exclusively for BluRay support but want to be sure I'm getting the quietest available..

my understanding is that the units with backward compatability are all 90nm and that the 40GB/80GB core/160GB Uncharted are all 65nm. There are 2 MGS packs, though...the 40GB one has a 65nm cell.

Now, there is supposedly a 65nm RSX coming or in production now. Not sure which machines have it and which don't.

It is theoretically possible for the 80GB Motorsorm or MGS4 machines to have a 65nm Cell. The 65nm cell fits in the same package as the 90nm cell so there is no reason that a unit designed for a 90nm cell couldn't have a 65nm cell in it. Heck, I could probably upgrade my 60GB to a 65nm cell...if one had the ovens and what-not to do it.

Note that a machine wouldn't need a new model number if they decided to all of a sudden put 65nm cells or RSXs in them. They would just consume less power but work exactly the same.