Filed under: Gaming

Last we heard, it was still up in the air somewhat as to whether upcoming PlayStation 3 consoles would house the elusive 65-nanometer RSX graphics processor. According to a curious buyer of Sony’s newest 80GB unit, there is a smidgen of data that hints at a 65nm chip actually being under the hood. By using the oh-so-scientific Kill-A-Watt, he discovered that his older 40GB PS3 sucked down 125.8-watts when idle, while the fresh 80GB edition ate up just 111.9-watts. The findings were similar when looking at power draw during DVD playback and while spinning Metal Gear Solid 4. Unfortunately, this mighty fine fellow is planning to return the new unit after being disappointed by the minimal energy savings, so he’s not apt to rip the thing open and prove once and for all what kind of GPU is in there. Meanwhile, we heartily suggest that someone do just that and put this question to bed.

[Thanks, Khattab]

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Filed under: Gaming

Continue reading 80GB PlayStation 3 arrives early at Best Buy, Friday in Europe

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Filed under: Gaming

Call it a remarkably strong hunch, but we’ve got a feeling that the detail-less console that just popped up in the FCC’s database is the 80GB “Core” PlayStation 3 we heard about at E3. The FCC filing is exceptionally devoid of juicy nuggets, with just a pair of ID labels to swoon over. We can see that the new model will be dubbed CECHL01, but outside of that, it’s a total crapshoot as to what’s going on here. Okay, maybe not, but it’s fun to pretend.

[Via PC World]

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Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

If you’ve been holding off on getting an A3 for some strange reason, perhaps a bump in capacity will push you over the edge. That’s right, Cowon’s little performer just got more junk in the trunk — 80GB of junk, to be exact. Sure, you’ll have to drop €448 (or about $691) on this thing, but think of all the pics, music, and “movies” you’ll be able to load up on it.

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Filed under: Gaming

Look, we’re not trying to say anything, but that 40GB model looks real, real lonely sitting there on its own. Could it be possible that all those juicy rumors of a refreshed, resized PS3 package are actually coming to fruition? Maybe — or maybe Sony is just downsizing big time… but we doubt it.

[Thanks, Jason]

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Filed under: Gaming

According to Ars Technica, Sony has some big plans for a PlayStation 3 refresh, starting with a phase-out of the 80GB model. According to an “inside source” — which Ars claims has been consistently right on video game-related predictions — the console-maker’s new plot is starting to take shape, holding fast to a two-SKU approach on packages, upping the hard drive capacity on systems, and including the Dual Shock 3 controller. The new bundles will take the high / low road, with the source stating that the 40GB model will remain on shelves, while the 80GB, Spider-Man 3-inclusive system will disappear, only to be replaced with a 120GB or 160GB configuration. Of course, right now these are just words on a screen, though in light of Best Buy’s recent stock changes, there certainly is an air of movement over at Sony.

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Filed under: Storage

We’re all for bulking up the storage in our notebooks and portable gear, so naturally we’re quite thrilled that Toshiba has developed a quintet of new 1.8-inch PATA hard drives that promise higher capacity and better performance for the gadgets we hold so dear. Three of the drives offer up 60GB on a single platter: the 4,200 RPM MK6028GAL for laptops and UMPCs, along with the 4,200 RPM MK6014GAL with 2MB buffer and 3,200 RPM MK6015GAA with 160KB buffer, both of which employ so-called “long data sector” technology to bring “format efficiency, improved error correction capability and enhanced storage capacity” to portable consumer electronics devices, according to ol’ Tosh. Also destined for lightweight PCs are the dual-platter 120GB MK1214GAH and single-platter 80GB MK8025GAL, both 4,200 RPM drives with 2MB and 8MB buffers, respectively. Expect the new models to start appearing in consumer products sometime early next year. [Warning: PDF link]

[Via Slashgear]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Take note, Zune dudes and dudettes: the Zune Originals engraving — which has heretofore been relegated to the 4GB and 8GB flash versions of Microsoft’s new player — is now available on the big daddy, the 80GB. That’s right — now text, wild graphics, and combinations of the two can be emblazoned upon your media player, serving as a testament to your original and inimitable personality till the end of time. Did we mention it’s free? Motor over there and check it out, right this second.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!