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How to Check NAND on the PlayStation 3

The PlayStation 3 uses Negated AND gate (NAND) flash memory to store firmware updates. Originally, all of the firmware updates were stored on the NAND memory, but later models reduced the size of the NAND and started partially storing these updates on the hard drive. Opening up the PlayStation 3 case voids the warranty, which makes looking at the NAND itself to check the size an impractical option. It is possible to check what NAND memory is in a PlayStation 3 by checking the serial number.

Instructions

- 1
  Check if your PS3 has a power switch. If there is no switch, it is a PS3 Slim model. All PS3 Slims have 16 MB NAND. You do not need to check the serial number. If there is a power switch, it is an older model PS3 and you need to check the serial number.
- 2
  Locate the serial number on the back of the PS3. It is located left of the cable ports, and is the number on the white label marked as ̶0;Serial.̶1;
- 3
  Locate the letters ̶0;CECH̶1; on the serial number. This combination of letters is only found near the end of the serial number.
- 4
  Read the letter immediately after ̶0;CECH.̶1; Your PS3 was made before October 2007 if the letter is ̶0;A,̶1; ̶0;B,̶1; ̶0;C,̶1; ̶0;E̶1; or ̶0;G.̶1; These PS3 models have 256 MB NAND memory. If the letter is ̶0;H,̶1; ̶0;J,̶1; ̶0;K,̶1; ̶0;L,̶1; ̶0;M,̶1; ̶0;P̶1; or ̶0;Q,̶1; your PS3 has 16 MB NAND memory. If a number appears after ̶0;CECH,̶1; then it is the serial number of a PS3 Slim, which has 16 MB NAND memory.

PlayStation 3