Anatomy of the Console
Taking the lid off, mentally
Before you touch a screwdriver, you need a map. Every PS4, Original, Slim or Pro, 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
- Custom APU - the brain; runs games and the system software
- 8 GB GDDR5 memory - soldered directly to the board, so it cannot be upgraded
- Southbridge / I/O controller - handles USB, SATA and the network hardware
- Power supply - internal in every PS4, converting mains power for the board
The cooling system
The APU gets hot, so every PS4 has a heatsink with a blower-style fan mounted on the side, plus thermal paste between the chip and the heatsink. Keeping this system clean and renewed is one of the most valuable PS4 services you can offer - the PS4 Pro is famously noisy when its cooling system is worn.
Ports, slots and connectors
| Port | Where | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 2 x USB 3.0 | Front of console | Controllers, headsets, external storage |
| HDMI out | Rear | Video and audio to the TV |
| Optical (S/PDIF) out | Rear | Digital audio (removed on later Slim models) |
| AUX port | Rear | PlayStation Camera |
| Ethernet | Rear | Wired network connection |
| 2.5-inch drive bay | Internal | SATA hard drive or SSD |
Warning: Never open a console with the power cable plugged in. Even unplugged, the power supply capacitors can hold a charge for a short while - unplug it and wait a few minutes before touching the board.
Check your understanding
What is the brain of the PS4? The custom AMD APU, combining the CPU and GPU.Can you upgrade the 8 GB of GDDR5 memory? No - it is soldered directly to the board.What sits between the APU and the heatsink? Thermal paste.Which models removed the optical audio port? Later Slim models (and the Pro).
Answer the questions out loud or on paper. If any are hard, re-read this lesson before moving on.
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