Hardware Thinking about getting a Refurb PS3

[sjones900]

I've been wanting a PS3 for a while now, but I really don't like the Slim model due to the lack of PS2 compatibility so I've been thinking about getting a PS3 CECHA01 refurbished. My question is what should I expect? What's the estimated life span of these consoles? And what more can I do to extend it?

 

[Ryupower]

this was a few years ago

i had a refurbished 1st gen 60gb ps3 for about 1y till it YLoD on me
sent it to sony payed $100+ to get it fixed
got a DIFFERENT 1st gen 60gb refurbished ps3 that ALSO YLoD on me (1y)
still have that still has the YLoD
so got a slim that been working just fine

60gb refurbished ps3 do have a higher YoLD chance

 

[Silterpy]

i would not get a phat ps2. get a slim and get it hacked, you can play ps2 on the slim like that.
also my phat 80gb 2usb ps3(model CECHL04) just died today

 

[trumpet-205]

I've been wanting a PS3 for a while now, but I really don't like the Slim model due to the lack of PS2 compatibility so I've been thinking about getting a PS3 CECHA01 refurbished. My question is what should I expect? What's the estimated life span of these consoles? And what more can I do to extend it?

Lifespan is rather sketchy for Phat PS3. Plus it is much better to play PS2 on PS2 than PS3. That way you get 100% compatibility and lag free.

You could replace the PSU on Phat PS3 to an efficient one, re-apply TIM, and/or even something drastic such as water cooling. If you can get a water cooling setup done, it should make Phat PS3 last longer. However getting watter cooling done requires extensive moding, time, and money. There is also the risk of water leak.

Ultimately, PS3 Slim and Super Slim have much better life expectancy than Phat PS3.

I only recommend people get Phat PS3 if they need SACD (Super Audio CD) capability.

 

[sjones900]

What if I just had the solder replaced with lead based solder? I've heard that's the root of the issue.

 

[trumpet-205]

What if I just had the solder replaced with lead based solder? I've heard that's the root of the issue.

You mean getting reballing done? A proper reballing of both CELL and RSX chips cost a lot of money. On ebay it'll cost you $100 just to reball RSX chip (even more if you want to reball CELL), and there is no guarantee it will be a proper reballing. I know that a reputable shop will charge at least $200 to reball a single chip.

Also, very few people in US use lead solder these days. Lead solder does NOT mean it has higher melting temperature. In fact it is the opposite, non-lead solder tends to have higher melting temperature. Higher melting temperature means less chance for solder to crack, less chance for YLOD.

 

[NostalgicMillennial]

phat PS3's will YLOD eventually...my ROgero hacked one is still sitting in the closest..waiting for that reball

got a super slim and no problems with any YLOD. which Microsoft could say the same thing about their 360 "revisions"

 

[sjones900]

The thing that really bothers me is having to get two separate consoles... not to mention the additional controllers.. And I know it seems stupid but I really don't wan't to go back to wired game controllers. The future has spoiled me. Lol. I'm gonna do some more investigating on the sellers and find out if these refurbs are done by Sony or a professional 3rd party.

 

[xcrimsonstormx]

Yeah, depending on your budget it might just be better and easier for you to go with a CFW Slim PS3 now with Cobra going Open Source you can rip your PS2 games straight to your Slim PS3 HDD if I am correct, plus they are pretty cheap since the release of the PS4 you get one now for about $200 on ebay.

Anyways Good Luck!