advantages to modchip over softmod

[spiderman1234]

Advantages to modchip over softmod. I was wondering if the modchip lets you boot into rcm mode without jumper or rcm device or usb cable? I am also wondering if even when the device is powered down it can boot straight in custom firmware?

 

[RyanTheArchivist]

Advantages to modchip over softmod. I was wondering if the modchip lets you boot into rcm mode without jumper or rcm device or usb cable? I am also wondering if even when the device is powered down it can boot straight in custom firmware?

You can have the system boot right into RCM but you will still need a method to push the payload.

 

[linuxares]

v1 = It press the "buttons" for you and push the payload
v2 = Glitches the boot process and insert a payload

 

[Nephiel]

Depends whether the console is vulnerable (oldest v1) or patched (v2).

Vulnerable ones can use either a jumper (jig) + button presses, or AutoRCM, to boot into RCM. From there, a payload must be pushed over USB. That's a softmod, because it does not need hardware modifications.
A modchip for v1 consoles is just an "internal payload pusher" that hooks into the rail/buttons and USB port to automate those steps, but is technically a hardmod.

On patched consoles, even if you get into RCM, pushing a payload over USB does not work, so patched consoles cannot be softmodded. They require a different kind of modchip that glitches the APU during boot (literally, zapping power to specific components with very precise timing) to make it run the payload.
These modchips can also be used on vulnerable consoles, but it's a bit of a shame to glitch a system that way when it can be softmodded.