Harddrive

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Internal harddrive

The PS3 uses a SATA (SATA-150) controller that has a transfer speed of 1.5 Gb/s. All current PS3 models come with 5400RPM drives. The GameOS partition is an UFS2 256-bit AES-CBC/AES-XTS encrypted file system with a sectorsize of 512 bytes (4096 bits).

Model info

SKU Manufacturer Model Size Seek Cache Transfer Speed Interface Passmark HDtune HDtach ATTO Comments
CECHA Seagate Momentus ST96812AS 60GB 12.5ms 8MB 31.2 MB/s SATA-150 236 min:19.7 MB/s, max:39.0 MB/s, average:31.2 MB/s, accestime:16.9 ms, burst:90.5 MB/s, CPU usage:3.7%
CECHB Seagate LD25 Series ST920217AS 20GB 16ms 2MB 23.9 MB/s SATA-150 171 min:2.0 MB/s, max 30.9 MB/s, average:23,9 MB/s, accestime:21.0 ms, burst:100.9 MB/s, CPU usage:0.8%
CECHC Seagate Momentus ST96812AS 60GB 12.5ms 8MB 31.2 MB/s SATA-150 236 min:19.7 MB/s, max:39.0 MB/s, average:31.2 MB/s, accestime:16.9 ms, burst:90.5 MB/s, CPU usage:3.7%
CECHE Seagate Momentus ST980811AS 80GB - 8MB 41.4MB/s SATA-150 240 min:23.6 MB/s, max:53.2MB/s, average: 41,4 MB/s, accesstime:12.5 ms, burst:96.4 MB/s, CPU usage:10.7%
CECHG Seagate LD25 Series ST9402115AS 40GB 16ms 2MB - SATA-150 182
CECHH Seagate LD25 Series ST9402115AS 40GB 16ms 2MB - SATA-150 182
CECHH Hitachi Travelstar 5K160 HTS541640J9SA00 40GB 11ms 8MB 38.8 MB/s SATA-150 261 min:15.2 MB/s, max:48.7 MB/s, average:38.8 MB/s, accesstime:17.1 ms, burst:91.3 MB/s, CPU usage:2.0% average read:40.5 MB/s, burst read: 116.3 MB/s, accesstime:17.1 ms, CPU utilisation:7%
CECHJ Seagate ST940210AS 40GB 14ms 2MB 27.2 MB/s SATA-150 234 min:21.0 MB/s, max:30.6 MB/s, average: 27.2 MB/s, accesstime:18.5ms, burst:22.8 MB/s, CPU usage:10.5% / read speed:34.8 MB/s accesstime:16.6 ms, burst:88.1 MB/s
CECHJ Fujitsu MHW2040BH 40GB 12ms 8MB 30.0 MB/s SATA-150 214 max:38 MB/s, min:18 MB/s, average:30 MB/s average read: 28.2 MB/s, burst read:28.5MB/s, accesstime:21.8ms, CPU utilisation:3%
CECHK Fujitsu MHZ2080BH 80GB 12ms 8MB 46.0 MB/s SATA-300, PMR 311 max:61.8 MB/s, min:13.6 MB/s, average:46.0 MB/s, accesstime:18.3ms, burst:72.2 MB/s, CPU usage:5.2%
CECHL Fujitsu MHZ2080BH 80GB 12ms 8MB 46.0 MB/s SATA-300, PMR 311 max:61.8 MB/s, min:13.6 MB/s, average:46.0 MB/s, accesstime:18.3ms, burst:72.2 MB/s, CPU usage:5.2%
CECHL Hitachi Travelstar 5K250 HTS542580K9SA00 80GB 12ms 8MB 34.4 MB/s SATA-150 226 min:22.1 MB/s, max:44.3 MB/s, average: 34.4 MB/s, accesstime:17.4ms, burst:77.0 MB/s, CPU usage:1.2% average read:36.0 MB/s, accesstime:16.9ms
CECHL Toshiba MK8052GSX 80GB 12ms 8MB 46.0 MB/s - 326 min:6.6 MB/s, max:61.2 MB/s, average: 46.0 MB/s, accesstime:18.1ms, burst:87.3 MB/s, CPU usage:15.0% / min:9.7 MB/s, max:27.5 MB/s, average: 24.3 MB/s, accesstime:19.1ms, burst:24.7 MB/s, CPU usage:4.9%
CECHM - - 80GB - - - -
CECHP Fujitsu MHZ2160BH 160GB 12ms 8MB 46.1 MB/s SATA-300 PMR 245 min:33.4 MB/s, max:68.2, average:54.3 MB/s, accesstime:17.2ms, burst:75.2 MB/s, CPU usage:1% / min:15.4 MB/s, max:63.4 MB/s, average:50.4 MB/s, accesstime:17.4ms, burst:75.7 MB/s, CPU usage:10.0% / min:31.7 MB/s, max:63.1 MB/s, average:50.5 MB/s, accesstime:17.3ms, burst:75.2 MB/s, CPU usage:3.8% / min:6.7 MB/s, max:63.5 MB/s, average:46.1 MB/s, accesstime:19.3ms, burst:71.5 MB/s, CPU usage:8.6.8% / min:29.3 MB/s, max:60.2 MB/s, average:46.4 MB/s, accesstime:21.9ms, burst:81.1 MB/s, CPU usage:2.4% / min:27.8 MB/s, max:60.2 MB/s, average:46.9 MB/s, accesstime:17.4ms, burst:66.3 MB/s, CPU usage:1.3% average read:57.3 MB/s, burst read:77.3 MB/s, accesstime:17.3ms, CPU utilisation:6% 66444 KB/s / 64450 KB/s
CECHP Toshiba MK1652GSX 160GB 12ms 8MB 48.7 MB/s SATA-300 PMR 341 min:16.9 MB/s, max:61.8 MB/s, average:49.5 MB/s, accesstime:18.1ms, burst:73.0 MB/s, CPU usage:4.8% / min:20.1 MB/s, max:61.9 MB/s, average:48.7 MB/s, accesstime:18.0ms, burst:72.8 MB/s, CPU usage:4.1% / min:31.2 MB/s, max:61.8 MB/s, average:50.2 MB/s, accesstime:18.7ms, burst:73.3 MB/s, CPU usage:3.9% / min:20.5 MB/s, max:61.8 MB/s, average:47.2 MB/s, accesstime:18.1ms, burst:76.7 MB/s, CPU usage:?% average read: 50.6 MB/s, burst read: 151.8 MB/s, accesstime:18.1ms 57604 KB/s / 61077 KB/s
CECHQ Fujitsu MHZ2160BH 160GB 12ms 8MB 46.1 MB/s SATA-300 PMR 245 min:33.4 MB/s, max:68.2 MB/s, average:54.3 MB/s, accesstime:17.2ms, burst:75.2 MB/s, CPU usage:1% / min:15.4 MB/s, max:63.4 MB/s, average:50.4 MB/s, accesstime:17.4ms, burst:75.7 MB/s, CPU usage:10.0% / min:31.7 MB/s, max:63.1 MB/s, average:50.5 MB/s, accesstime:17.3ms, burst:75.2 MB/s, CPU usage:3.8% / min:6.7 MB/s, max:63.5 MB/s, average:46.1 MB/s, accesstime:19.3ms, burst:71.5 MB/s, CPU usage:8.6.8% / min:29.3 MB/s, max:60.2 MB/s, average:46.4 MB/s, accesstime:21.9ms, burst:81.1 MB/s, CPU usage:2.4% / min:27.8 MB/s, max:60.2 MB/s, average:46.9 MB/s, accesstime:17.4ms, burst:66.3 MB/s, CPU usage:1.3% average read:57.3 MB/s, burst read:77.3 MB/s, accesstime:17.3ms, CPU utilisation:6% 66444 KB/s / 64450 KB/s
CECH-20..A Toshiba MK1255GSX 120GB 12ms 8MB 52.9 MB/s SATA-300 PMR 395 min:24.8 MB/s, max:72.4 MB/s, average:52.9 MB/s, accesstime:17.6ms, burst:74.3 MB/s, CPU usage:8.3%
CECH-20..A Hitachi 5K500 HTS545012B9SA00 120GB 11ms 8MB 62.0 MB/s SATA-150 ?363? min:36.5 MB/s, max:79.2 MB/s, average:62.0 MB/s, accesstime:20.2ms, burst:99.9 MB/s, CPU usage:3.2%
CECH-20..B - - 250GB - - - -
CECH-21..A - - 120GB - - - -
CECH-21..B - - 250GB - - - -
CECH-250.A - - 120GB - - - -
CECH-250.A Toshiba MK1665GSX 160GB 12ms 8MB 74.6 MB/s SATA-300 min:45.9 MB/s, max:93.8 MB/s, average:74.6 MB/s, accesstime:16.8ms, burst:203.6 MB/s, CPU usage:11.4% average read:77.3 MB/s, burst read:242.6 MB/s, accesstime:16.7ms, CPU utilisation:1% 97969 KB/s / 93858 KB/s
CECH-250.B - - 250GB - - - -
CECH-250.B - - 320GB - - - -
CECH-250.A - - 120GB - - - -
CECH-250.B - - 250GB - - - -
CECH-250.B - - 320GB - - - -
CECH-251.A - - 160GB - - - -
CECH-251.B - - 320GB - - - -
CECH-3001A - - ?GB - - - -
CECH-3001B Toshiba MK3276GSX 320GB 12ms 8MB 68 MB/s SATA-300 516 min:41.9 MB/s, max:89.6 MB/s, average:68.0 MB/s, accesstime:16.8ms, burst:143.2 MB/s, CPU usage:1% Crystal: Seq R/W: 88.61/87.61 MB/s, 512K R/W: 33.91/36.79 MB/s, 4K R/W: 0.451/0.987 MB/s, 4K QD32 R/W: 1.043/1.016 MB/s

The maximum size of the internal harddrive that the PS3 supports is 1TB (TeraBytes)

note: this seems untrue as there are several people posting pictures of their external to internal drive mod with a size of 2TB

External storage

The PS3 also supports external harddrives (via the USB port) using the FAT32 file system format. Files systems like UFS/UFS2, EXT3/EXT4, which are natively used on internal harddrive cannot be used on external on a non-modified system. You can format it to any size up to 8TB **, which is the theoretical drive size limit of FAT32. There have been verified success of 2TB external harddrives working with the PS3. The whole drive needs to be formatted into a single 2TB FAT32 partition using special software tools like fat32format.exe that can handle large drives. Note that FAT32 supports a maximum file size of 4GB.

** note: this seems untrue, because when >2TB drives have hit the market, no screenshots of >2TB external storage are known

Replacing the internal harddisk

For compatibility, if you have a SATA-300 (sometimes called SATA-II or SATA2) harddrive, you should sometimes set the harddrive via jumper to enforce the slower SATA-150 speed, instead of default 3 Gb/s of SATA-300.


Step-by-step:

  • Download the FULL version of FW you currently have (tip: see here) on the old harddisk and put it on a USB Mass Storage Device formatted with FAT32 in \PS3\UPDATE\PS3UPDAT.PUP
  • If you wish to transfer your savegames / installed games, trophies, DLC/PSN etc. you can use Backup / Restore BEFORE you exchange the harddisk. You’ll need a FAT32 formatted External Drive for that (with enough free space). The backups will be stored in \PS3\EXPORT\BACKUP\ in a subfolder with the backupdate/time as name and in there several DAT files (archive.dat, archive_00.dat, archive2.dat and archive2_[4GBSPLITNR].dat etc.) This same drive can be used to store the FW mentioned earlier)
  • Disconnect the LAN/UTP cable to disable the possibility that another FW (3.50) gets downloaded
  • Power Off the PS3 (disconnect the power cable) and open the HD tray (left/bottom) to exchange the original 2.5″ drive for the newer/larger/faster one (remark: use max. 9.5mm height drives). ** Remark: The screws which are used to mount the internal hardisk in the PS3 HD-tray are made of soft aluminium. Use a good fitting screwdriver, or you’re bound to abuse the “X” bithole and must resort to flat pliers to get the screws out.
  • After everything is in place, insert the USB Mass Storage Device you prepared earlier and power ON the PS3. The new HD is detected and the PS3 wants to format it. Select YES and wait until format is finished. After that you can select Update to select the FW on the USB Mass Storage Device (in case it didn’t already do that automaticly after format).
  • After succesfull format and installation of the System Software / Firmware, reboot and check in XMB System Information to see which FW is currently used and how much is usable for the XMB.

The above semi-guide is also readable in the PS3 Owners Manual.

TIP(s): Exchanging the internal drive to a 7200RPM model doesn’t do much for your loading times (shaves off a second or 2) and upgrading to Flash Drives is almost insane considering the prices you pay per GB. Any modern larger drive is always faster than the older default smaller drive

Nevertheless, I always go for SATAII/300 7200rpm drives (if internal, maximum height is 9.5mm, 12 or 12.5mm doesn’t fit) and if modified to external via eSATA you can even use cheaper/faster 3.5″ drives (but you’ll need them to have their own powersupply because the internal PS3 powersupply can’t power that safely).


Original vs Replacement Drives speed comparison

Harddisk Interface RPM Size Model Seq.read Av.Read Burst.Read Accestime
Original 2.5" SATA1 150 5400 60 GB Seagate Momentus 5400.2 ST96812A S 25 MB/s 24.4 MB/s 28.5 MB/s 17.4ms
New (A) 2.5" SATA1 150 5400 160GB Samsung HM160HI HH100-06 70 MB/s 54.9 MB/s 115.4 MB/s 22.4ms
New (B) 2.5" SATA2 300 7200 500GB Samsung HM500JI 2AC101C5 95 MB/s 71.5 MB/s 219.3 MB/s 21.4ms
New (C) 3.5" SATA2 300 7200 2TB Samsung HD203WI 1AN10003 115 MB/s 85.6 MB/s 252.5 MB/s 23.6ms


Replacement Internal HDDs for PS3

Brand Model Size (GB) Interface Cache RPM Height Comments
Samsung Spinpoint M2/HM201JJ 200 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M2/HM251JJ 250 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M5/HM121HI 120 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M5/HM160JI 160 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M5/HM250JI 250 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M6/HM251JI 250 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M6/HM320JI 320 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M6/HM400LI 400 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M6/HM500LI 500 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM120GI 120 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM161HI 160 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM250HI 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM320II 320 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM400JI 400 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7/HM500JI 500 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7E/HM251HI 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M7E/HM641JI 640 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint M8/HN-M101MBB 1000 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm First 9.50mm 2-platter 1TB
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM080HJ 80 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM081HJ 80 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM100JJ 100 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM101HJ 100 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM120JJ 120 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM121HJ 120 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM160JJ 160 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM161JJ 160 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM200JJ 200 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP2/HM250JJ 250 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP4/HM250HJ 250 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP4/HM320HJ 320 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP4/HM500JJ 500 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MP4/HM640JJ 640 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MT2/HM100UI 1000 SATA-300 8MB 5400 12.5 mm will NOT fit without modification!
Samsung Spinpoint MT2/HM750LI 750 SATA-300 8MB 5400 12.5 mm will NOT fit without modification!
Samsung Spinpoint MU-X/HM160HX 160 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MU-X/HM251JX 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Samsung Spinpoint MU-X/HM320JX 320 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9160314AS 160 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9160412AS 160 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9250315AS 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9250410AS 250 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9320325AS 320 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9320423AS 320 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9500325AS 500 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9500420AS 500 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9640320AS 640 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9750420AS 750 SATA-300 16MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Seagate ST9750423AS 750 SATA-300 16MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD10TEVT 1000 SATA-300 8MB 5200 12.5 mm will NOT fit without modification!
Western Digital WD10TPVT 1000 SATA-300 8MB 5200 12.5 mm will NOT fit without modification!
Western Digital WD400BEAS 40 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD400BEVS 40 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD600BEAS 60 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD600BEVS 60 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD800BEAS 80 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD800BEVS 80 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD800BEVT 80 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1000BEAS 100 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1000BEVS 100 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1200BEAS 120 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1200BEVS 120 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1200BEVT 120 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1500BLFS 150 SATA-300 16MB 10000 26.1 mm will NOT fit!
Western Digital WD1600BEAS 160 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1600BEVS 160 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1600BEVT 160 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1600BPVT 160 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1600BEKT 160 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD1600BJKT 160 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2000BEAS 200 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2000BEVS 200 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BEAS 250 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BEVS 250 SATA-150 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BEVT 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BPVT 250 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BEKT 250 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD2500BJKT 250 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD3000BLFS 300 SATA-300 16MB 10000 26.1 mm will NOT fit!
Western Digital WD3200BEVT 320 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD3200BPVT 320 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD3200BEKT 320 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD3200BJKT 320 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD4000BEVT 400 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD4500BLHX 450 SATA-600 32MB 10000 26.1 mm will NOT fit!
Western Digital WD5000BEVT 500 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD5000BPVT 500 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD5000BEKT 500 SATA-300 8MB 7200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD6000BLHX 600 SATA-600 32MB 10000 26.1 mm will NOT fit!
Western Digital WD6400BEVT 640 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD6400BPVT 640 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD7500BPVT 750 SATA-300 8MB 5400 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD7500KEVT 750 SATA-300 8MB 5200 9.50 mm -
Western Digital WD7500KPVT 750 SATA-300 8MB 5200 9.50 mm -