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PS3 40GB vs. 60GB

The 60GB PlayStation 3 entered the market at the console's initial launch in November 2006 at $600. In an effort to sell a console at a lower price and to sell more systems, Sony released a 40GB version the following year. However, Sony cut more corners than the size of the hard drive to drop the price significantly enough to boost sales.

Similarities
- With appearances alone, both consoles are virtually the same: same length, width, weight and color. They also play the exact same media and produce the same quality images at the same high-resolution (1,920 by 1,080).
Different Processors
- The 60GB system has an IBM Cell 3.2 GHz processor, which runs faster and more efficiently than the Cell Broadband Engine processor of the 40GB version. As a result, the 60GB console has faster load times and saves.
Price Difference
- The 60GB model no longer commands the $600 price tag it did on launch day, but retailers still have it priced at $430 in 2009. The smaller version can be found for between $300 and $330.
Connections
- In addition to having a smaller storage drive, the 40GB model also has four fewer USB connections than the 60GB. This does not affect the number of controllers that can connect to the system wirelessly; only the number of external connections for USB drives or charging controllers that can be connected at once.
Backward Compatibility
- The biggest difference between the two systems is the backward capability of the 60GB system, meaning it can support PlayStation 2 games. The 40GB system can only operate PS3 games.

PlayStation 3