Steps 1–27: Teardown
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Step 17
The Blu-ray drive comes right out.
This drive is still quite large, and takes up the bulk of the space inside the PS3.
We disassembled the drive, and found that it appears to be a proprietary Sony-manufactured part.
Step 18
More connectors and screws to unplug/unscrew.
The design aesthetic of this machine is quite a bit more bare-bones-functional than Apple's, but is still beautiful in its own way.
Several components, including the AC power inlet, are simply held to the unit by the pressure of the screws connecting the top and bottom cases.
Step 19
A few more screws, and the logic board lifts free of the chassis!
Step 20
Unscrewing several screws securing the EMI shield.
The two identical matte finished brackets in the first picture are designed to apply pressure to the center of the processors, keeping them firmly planted on their heat sinks.
Step 21
Separating the metal electromagnetic interference shield from the logic board.
Step 22
The whole [slim] enchilada!
Counterclockwise from the left:
Power supply, main board, hard drive, EMI shield, heat sink, fan, Blu-ray drive, controller, and plastic case.
Step 23
That's it for the disassembly, but we'll continue to post board photos and analysis as the information pours in.
The logic board. Sony's going green on the inside, to reflect their commitment to the environment. View HUGE version.
We've never seen cool snowflake-like patterns in the thermal paste after we removed a heat sink before. This may indicate that the thermal paste was overapplied or that it was not distributed evenly.
If you look closely at the thermal paste, you'll see it is a fractal!
Step 24
The Cell processor looks very spiffy under our lights.
We didn't think it was possible to synthesize reality, but the RSX chip (from an Acura?!) proves us wrong.
Chip labels: RSX Reality Synthesizer CXD2991EGB 0916HFZ 114477
Is the lens on the Blu-ray drive exact as on previous versions?
I have already replaced it twice on my 80GB PS3
Whats the cr2032 battery for? Does ever need to be replaced?
It's to keep the system's internal clock running. It should be replaced when it runs out, but that will probably take years to do (and even if you don't, the lack of a clock isn't so bad).
I wouldn't want to have to change that CR2032 battery! At least it's not soldered to the board...
Why do they not use silver paste
I am thinking it's a good thing you took it apart as this creates the perfect opportunity to do a better thermal paste application.
Oh, it would appear from the motherboard that we won't be seeing a slim with more than 2 USB ports in the future (I was hoping the rumoured 250Gb version would have more than 2). Very frustrating - my 60Gb has 4.... so I am not sure if I should 'upgrade'....
That is Beautiful. Do you have a picture from a better angle? Like the one of the RSX.
iFixit Staff
Unfortunately, the laser etching on the face of the cell processor is nearly invisible when viewed straight-on like in the RSX picture. We had a hard enough time making the text visible on the shot we have (notice the reflection on the board).
I want know,Cell still use 7 SPE or by advantage of 45nm use 8 SPE.
I'm going to guess it still uses seven, it may only have seven SPE on die this time though. Adding a couple additional features on a new version of an older console has a habit of making owners of the older version angry. It would result in developers having to add additional time for development on games for each console version, another non-starter.
BTW, where are the GDDR3 chips that should be present near the RSX?
Interesting how the chip is labelled 'Reality Synthesizer'
IIRC the equivalent chip on the PS2 was labelled 'Emotion Engine' I always figured that was what made my PS2 so temporomental :P (ok so I never had a PS2, but you get my point)