PS3 Hardware and Technical:

The PS3 is full of new technology and some only found on Computers before. Classified as almost a mini-supercomputer, the PS3 has a huge amount of power behind it due to it's unique processor.

Internal Hardware:
CPU - CELL BE. The CELL CPU is a Power processor at first glance. It's made up of 2 different types of processing bodies, the PPU is a dual threaded 64bit Power PC processor which acts as boss of the CELL. Below the PPU are 8 SPUs, each running at 3.2GHz. Each SPU is basically a mini CPU that can process data by itself or can work with other SPUs to complete complex instructions. The CELL in the PS3 only has 7 SPUs, the 8th is disabled and in most cases it doesn't work.

RAM - The RAM is made up of a small amount of XDR RAM. Only 256MB of XDR RAM is in the PS3 but it runs at 3.2GHz, the same speed as the SPUs in the CELL CPU.

Video Card - The RSX video card is modelled after the nVidia 7900. It has 256MB of GDDR3 RAM onboard.


Storage Hardware:
HDD - By default in the Australian release of the PS3, there is a 60GB HDD in it. The HDD itself is just a 2.5" SATA Seagate drive and it is fully upgradeable. There are even adapters out there to can make the PS3 use an external 3.5" HDD as it's main drive, giving up to 1TB of space.

Bluray - The main storage media of the PS3. Uses discs the same physical size as CDs and DVDs, but each dual layer disc can hold 50GB of data. Some games like Motorstorm use about 40GB of this space so it's not being wasted. DVDs and CDs can also be used in the drive, as well as mini versions of the discs. The drive is also slot loading.

Flash Cards - The PS3 can use 3 types of flash cards; CF, SD, and Memory Stick. Once the cards have been inserted an icon on the XMB pops up and you can browse the cards. By default there are 3 folders the PS3 looks in; MUSIC, PHOTOS, and VIDEOS. To view files outside these folders you have to press the Triangle button on the controller and select DISPLAY ALL under the media type you want. The PS3 can also use flash cards to hold system backups, system update files, and save games.


Other Hardware:
Network - PS3 can use 2 different types of network interface, WiFi and LAN. The LAN is a gigabit interface that can be connected to a switch, or directly to the modem/router. The WiFi is a standard 54Mb/s interface to connect to WiFi APs. The WiFi can also be used for Remote Play with the PSP in Local mode, but more about Remote Play another time.

USB - There are 4 USB ports on the front of the PS3, and the have many different types of functions:

• To recharge the controllers via a standard USB(A) to Mini-USB cable.
• External Media, like USB HDDs as long as they are formatted in FAT32 format.
• Keyboards and mice. Even a wireless mouse's USB dongle can be connected.
• PSP, to transfer data like photos, music, videos, and PS games.
• Controllers like PS2 Dual Shock2 controllers (With adapter), steering wheels, and 3rd party controllers.

The USB ports are fully powered, are of Version 2.0, and support Plug'n'Play.

Bluetooth - This is how PS3 SIXAXIS controllers connect to the console. Other devices include the Remote Control, keyboards and mice, and headsets. The Bluetooth hardware are of Version 2.0.