The Sony Playstation 3 is one entertainment system that is perfect for hardcore gamers of all ages. Since its launch in 2006, fans of the Playstation, Playstation 2, and Playstation Portable couldn’t wait to get their hands on this seventh generation console. As a matter of fact, the current record of sales for the Playstation 3 has shot up beyond 10 million units in less than two years.

The first version of the Playstation 3 has a 20GB hard drive, but this version is now discontinued by Sony. Other available units are 40GB, 60GB, and 80GB. The huge hard drive space is needed to save game play, download updates, music files, and also for saving files while surfing the internet either via ethernet cable or Wi-Fi.

For people who spend long hours playing video games, it may seem that a small hard disk space may not be enough; hence there is a need to upgrade the hard drive. Sony has designed the PS3 console so that it will be easy for users to perform their own upgrades. In fact, the user manual has easy-to-follow instructions on how to remove and replace the hard drive on the Playstation 3.

First, you have to be sure of the specs of the hard drive you will be getting. The Playstation 3 has a 2.5 inch Serial Advance Technology Attachment (SATA) hard drive, which is what is commonly used in notebook or laptop computers. If you are not familiar with these types of hard drives, you can always ask with your computer shop for this information. Some examples of available hard drive capacities are 120GB, 160GB, and 250GB, to name a few. For people who take gaming to the extremes, bigger memory is always better.

Once you have picked out a new hard drive of your playstation 3, you will want to back up your system. You can perform this task with an easy to use Back Up Utility under System Settings.

After you have backed up all the system data, you are ready to replace your Playstation 3 hard drive. You need to remove your old hard drive from your Playstation 3 console. Before you do that, you must switch off your PS3, and unplug all cords and attachments. On the left side of the console, you should take out the plastic cover that has the HDD label. Using a small crosshead screwdriver, remove the blue screw and raise the metal handle. Slide the hard disk to the right and pull out the hard disk from the PS3 console. Handle the hard disk using the metal frame, and avoid getting it wet or dropping it.

You have to take out the old hard disk from the metal frame by removing the four crosshead screws. After you have done this, you can slide the hard disk out. When you place in the new hard disk, reattach the four screws, and be sure not to over tighten them. Replace the new hard disk and the metal frame back into the console slot, return the blue screw and close the plastic cover.

If you switch on your unit, you will be prompted if you want to restore any data that you have backed up. Now, all you have to do is enjoy your new improved hard drive on your PS3!

Back to Home