Anatomy of the Console
Taking the lid off, mentally
Before you touch a screwdriver, you need a map. Every PS3, fat, slim or super slim, is built from the same family of parts. Learn what each one does and you will know where to look when something fails.
The main board and processors
- Cell Broadband Engine - the brain; runs games, the operating system and Blu-ray decoding
- RSX - the graphics processor; draws all video output
- System memory - 256 MB XDR plus 256 MB GDDR3, both soldered to the board
- Syscon - a small controller chip that manages power, fans and the LED status light
The drive bay and optical drive
The PS3 reads Blu-ray game discs, DVD movies and audio CDs. The drive unit contains a dual-format laser pickup, a spindle motor that spins the disc, and a sled that moves the laser across it. The laser is one of the most commonly replaced parts on any PS3, and it fails in recognisable ways covered later in this course.
Ports, slots and connectors
| Port | Where | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| HDMI out | Rear | Best-quality digital video and audio |
| AV Multi Out | Rear | Composite video for older TVs |
| Optical audio out | Rear | Digital surround sound to a receiver |
| USB 2.0 ports | Front or side | Controllers, charging, external storage |
| Ethernet | Rear | Wired network for PSN and media |
| HDD bay door | Side or front (fat) | Holds the internal 2.5-inch drive |
Power delivery
All PS3 models have a built-in internal power supply that converts mains power to the low voltages the board needs. The power supply is a common failure point and one of the first things to suspect on a completely dead console.
Warning: Never open a console with the power cable plugged in. Even after unplugging, the capacitors in the power supply can hold a dangerous charge - wait a few minutes after unplugging before touching anything inside.
Check your understanding
What part reads the game disc? The Blu-ray drive - laser, spindle and sled.How much system memory does a PS3 have? 256 MB XDR main memory plus 256 MB GDDR3 for graphics.Which two processor chips sit on the main board? The Cell Broadband Engine and the RSX graphics processor.What chip controls the fan and the LED status light? The Syscon controller.
Answer the questions out loud or on paper. If any are hard, re-read this lesson before moving on.
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