It doesn't matter if you have the 20GB, 60GB, or even the new 80GB PlayStation 3 -- you can always use more storage space. All that available hard-disk space quickly disappears once you start downloading games, demos, and HD videos. Fortunately, Sony has designed the PS3 to allow console owners to perform their own hard-drive upgrades. You can go out and select your own hard drive instead of being forced to buy an official first-party hard-disk accessory. However, giving console owners that freedom means that aspiring upgraders will need to know how to select the right hard-drive upgrade and the proper installation technique.
Hard-disk manufacturer Seagate supplied us with a 160GB Momentus 5400.3 for our upgrade.
The first step to replacing the hard disk is going to the store or visiting an online retailer to pick up a new hard disk. The PS3 is compatible with just about any 2.5-inch SATA notebook hard disk. Both 5400-RPM and 7200-RPM drives should work fine. The physical size of the hard disk is important because it has to fit the PS3's 2.5-inch drive tray. As far as storage capacity goes, it doesn't make sense to go through the trouble of upgrading unless you go big: We're talking 120GB, 160GB, or even 250GB.
Once you have your upgrade drive, the next step is to back up the data on your current PS3 hard drive to an external storage unit. You can skip this step if you aren't attached to your music, videos, and game saves, but most of us will probably want to save all that information. The PS3 has a built-in software backup utility that can copy the PS3's hard-drive contents to an external storage device, such as a USB thumb drive or a memory stick. The removable storage device must use the FAT32 file system in order for the PS3 to recognise it. If you have an external hard drive that's formatted in NTFS, you can use the Disk Management utility in Windows to reformat the drive, but you'll need to create partitions on large external hard drives because Windows can only do FAT32 on drives 32GB or smaller.
Save your data using the PS3's backup utility.
If your storage device isn't large enough to handle a full system backup, you can selectively copy data over through the various music, photo, and game menus in the XMB. Your PlayStation Network login and system settings will remain safe on the system during the entire process. After you have your data safely backed up, you can move on to the actual hard-drive swap.
You will need a Phillips-head screwdriver to complete this part of the installation process. The PS3 owner's manual also includes step-by-step details on how to replace the hard drive, in case you need more instructions.
Turn off and unplug the system. Remove the plastic HD side-panel, and remove the blue screw.
Open the metal latch, move the drive tray to the right, and slide out the drive.
Remove the four screws that hold the hard drive to the tray. Use a screwdriver that fits snugly because the screws are extremely tight and easy to strip.
Swap in the new drive, and replace the screws.
Put the drive tray back into the system and slide it into place. Then replace the blue screw and snap the side panel back onto the system.
Turn on the console and let the system format the new drive. Then load up the PS3 backup utility to restore data from your external storage device back onto the PS3 hard drive.
At this point you should have a newly upgraded PS3 and the leftover hard drive. You could try selling the old drive, but small-capacity used drives might not fetch enough money to be worth the hassle of finding a buyer. If you still want to make the drive useful, you can buy an external drive enclosure to make it into a portable storage device.
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techster
12/10/2007 10:44 PM
worked great. Now pushing 250GB and will be making a 60GB external with the other hd.
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Ispi05
16/10/2007 04:24 AM
how do do i get download files that are in the hard disk
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anthonystx
21/10/2007 12:02 PM
is a 500GB hard drive an option?
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sati
19/11/2007 09:47 AM
sweet saves loads of money buying the small hhd version then kicking it up 2 any size!! , iam thinking of doing this but will a 1TB drive work with the ps3??
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scuzzy
29/11/2007 02:15 PM
Largest 2.5" HD on the market is currently 250GB, probably worth the wait for a year to get a larger drive at a cheaper price.
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lillycon
01/12/2007 09:08 AM
If I was to upgrade my 40gb PS3 to a 60gb would this mean that I could then play my PS2 games?
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ballisticx
03/12/2007 08:12 PM
to lillycon, no it wont have the software or emulators to do that anyways.
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Tallgeese_lll
16/12/2007 09:20 AM
Taimo, no you can't play a PC game on your ps3 by switching hard drives. The PS3 will only play PS3/PS2 games and Blu-Ray discs
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marksy
19/12/2007 10:35 AM
does the hard drive you put in have to be fat32 formatted or ntfs or not formatted?
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S.O.S
04/01/2008 11:16 AM
so any size 100-500gb of space but what does it men to back up the data and u need 2.5" and SATA but is there a way that it could slow down the ps3 or **** it up somehow would it plat blue-ray, ps2 and pc game if u change it and how do u know that u r getting the right HDD PLZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ HELPPPPPPPPPP
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S.OS
04/01/2008 11:20 AM
is any one on this website or i am a bit late for this topic
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naji
06/01/2008 09:07 PM
so can u use external though the USB or something and if i have a SATA 2.5" would that slow down my ps3 possibley and is there a way to get it farster
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kremenadla
07/01/2008 01:21 AM
I want to know if i can install my games on the PS3 hard disc?
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MadCow
07/01/2008 10:49 PM
I have read that with the 250GB, the formatting by PS3 doesn't actually allow you to use the whole 250GB. You only get 205 GB of free space regardless after the formatting. Is this still true or is there a later firmware which addresses this problem.
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NJ
20/01/2008 06:26 PM
how can i upgrade the HDD to and external HDD storage and if i get a 250gb internal HDD weather it is 5400-RPM or 7200-RPM would it slow down the PS3 or couse over heating with the 7200-RPM and is this similar speed to the original 4ogb pS3 HDD
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NJ
20/01/2008 06:31 PM
HAY MadCow 205GB is heaps of space 4 MUSIC, MOVIES< DEMOS AND FIRMWARE MORE THAN 20, 40, 60, 80, 120GB MODELS but i am not sure if it may slow down ps3 or somthing because i would hav to post it to Melbourne
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quods
23/01/2008 10:52 PM
MadCow - This happens with computers as well. The actual size of your drive and the formatted capacity are different. There's an exceedingly technical explanation for it, but basically, you never actually get to use the amount of space on the label- Which is why a lot of things such as iPods say "Formatted Capacity is less". Western Digital should be releasing a 320GB Sata 2.5" Soon.
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nn
28/01/2008 02:42 PM
is the say 40GB original ps3 HDD the speed 5400-RPM
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evilresistance
07/02/2008 07:04 AM
iv just brought a 320gb western d scorpio harddrive and it works perfectly
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tombo
07/02/2008 10:52 PM
i giot a 40gb ps3 and i got a 300gb usb hard drive could i swap them over and can 40gb ps3 change hard drives?
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EvilResistance
08/02/2008 11:53 PM
how do u you make old 60gb ps3 drive into a external harddrive so i can use it as a spare
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mkon
17/02/2008 03:14 PM
To make the old drive an external, you'll need to purchase an external case like this: http://www.itestate.com.au/products_detail.asp?code=PD00003387 (i have one of these!). Simply install the old PS3 disk in there, and it'll now act as an external USB drive on any computer. Make sure it is Sata, not IDE!
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cambo
20/02/2008 04:52 PM
evilresistance> did you get the full 300Gb out of the drive or still only the 205Gb suggested in post posts (and elsewhere). Perhaps the new firmwire supports higher drive capacities.
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SOS
20/02/2008 06:25 PM
so i hav 40gb ps3 so wat internet plan should i hav like 1 with fast speed and heaps of quota and wat is the best wirerless router to buy fast and no lags because my ps3 is 2 far from the computer only 23gb left is that all i need 4 online patch updates and ps3 FW so i hav 40gb ps3 so wat internet plan should i hav like 1 with fast speed and heaps of quota and wat is the best wirerless router to buy fast and no lags because my ps3 is 2 far from the computer so even if i do not hav the older FW updates i would not need them because i can just get the latest 2.10 is that right i want online so i can do this but wired LAN cable is not an option becasue my computer is 2 far from the 40gb ps3 but i am thinking of changing the internet plan so it is faster and more downloads but how fast would the wirerless router need 2 be so no lags and my floor is thick any ideas and with HDD upgrades i now u can do it but what speeds and recquirements would i need 4 this and with game patches eg AC COD4 do u download them as soon as u lanch the game or ps3 network store WHAT SATA MODEL CAN NOT BE USED
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SOS
28/02/2008 04:20 PM
kremenadla "I want to know if i can install my games on the PS3 hard disc?" then u could just borrow the game and load and install then return it once ur done with it, SO WHAT WOULD BE THE POINT TO BUY THEM!!!!
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naa
28/02/2008 04:22 PM
so if the wirerless router is 2.4Ghz and my Home phone is 2.4Ghz is that going to be a problem
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naa
01/03/2008 04:46 PM
so i have 2.4ghz and planing 4 a 2.4ghz Net gear wirerless router D-Link Di-524 54G so am i going to have a problem
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naji
02/03/2008 12:54 PM
To get my ps3 online i have a ADSL modem and one ethernet port (which is used for the computer) and one USB port so if i had a modem with more ethernet ports could i use it to conect the ps3 to or would i need to do something else. In other words modem ethernet straight to ps3 ethernet input with out useing a router thX
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jonno
04/03/2008 01:05 AM
does anyone have a listing of hard disks to buy....and where is a good place to buy one .... e bay??????
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JJJ
05/03/2008 09:01 AM
so what PS3 internal HDD speed requirement would i need for a HDD upgrade to say 250-300 what brands speeds that kind of information and to be specific details would help me aswell. Also internet plans for going online becasue I do not know a great deal about computers. THX hope someone helps me out with this soon.
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JJJ
13/03/2008 05:37 PM
if i preform a HDD swap with a WD 250gb HDD and i back up my old data like game saves and music all of that takes up 17gb so i have 23gb left on the 40gb, so how much is taken of the 250gb WD HDD for formating? like when i looked at the 40gb it said 23/38 so the other 2gb was used for something right.
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TORO
17/03/2008 02:16 AM
You guys are thick. Sorry but it's true. You're like eager apes handed copies of Wittgenstein's Tractatus Logico-Philosophicus; clueless and ambitious. ANY 2.5" hard drive will work. Did no one read the walkthrough above? SOS seriously you are a genius, copy your games to your new hard drive, watch XMB magically run them and tell all the homebrew guys to shut up shop because, in a stroke of nubile genius you have managed to spot the one glaringing weakness in SONY's anti-piracy software. Brilliant. Also, I'm no Stephen Fry but you need to work on your grammar.
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SOS
26/03/2008 01:41 PM
TORO i am in AUS but i want online as well as a 2.5" NOTEBOOK SATA 5400rpm 8MB buffer, but also a fast speed internet plan to support online gameing (being able to download fast run games smooth no LAGGGGS)
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SOS
26/03/2008 02:54 PM
also anyone who can help me. How do you format an internal HDD to FAT32 or does the ps3 do that itself once it has been swaped !!
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SOS
26/03/2008 04:42 PM
what speeds do i need more of upload or download what is the fastest in AUSSIE? i want to play online gameing but i do not know any good speeds and be able to download fast and view sites fast that kinda thing WTF is 1200/256 wha is 256kbps and what is 1200? i am so lost WHY THE HELL DO YOU THINK I NAMED MYSELF 'SOS' FOR HELP ME
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QUICKLAY
06/04/2008 03:18 PM
HELLO.. DOES ANYBODY ACTUALLY NO IF YOU CAN COPY GAMES , STRAIGHT ONTO YOUR PLAYSTATION 3 HARDRIVE..........
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Ya all dumb
12/04/2008 10:27 PM
My god I think I have just lost about 100 IQ points from reading all these comments. I don't think the majority of people passed grade 2.
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SOS
14/04/2008 09:00 PM
Who had any idea about ps3's in grade 2.
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LearnSomeStuffKids
20/04/2008 11:13 PM
Kids now days are so funny, just cacked me dacks reading these looser comments!
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JayBones
25/04/2008 12:07 PM
If you are going to call someone a "loser" at least learn how to spell it, Einstein.
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Exile
30/04/2008 05:31 AM
Any 2.5" SATA HDD will do, doesn't matter what brand and I don't think the buffer size matters either. And no, I don't think Sony would have been stupid enough to let people rip their games from HDD dumping. I mean FFS, they allow people to download and install games into the HDD from the PS store and even include a feature in the manual guiding them as to how to replace the hard drive. They've already been dumping BRay discs with Linux on the console, realizing people could rip out downloaded games from the FAT partition is practically a no brainer.
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Bort
14/05/2008 06:28 AM
CULD I PUT ON THE XBOX360 ON TOP OF THE PLAYSTATION
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Townnut
15/05/2008 03:15 PM
"Playstation 3 Problem" I was wondering are you able to download the ps3 game and then load it onto the hard drive. Now what if those files are set as winrar, see its not like i'm writting as a imAGE BURN . is anywho out there be able to help me with this problem i m hVinvg.
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Del
17/05/2008 04:51 AM
You can NOT copy entire PS3 disk based games onto your hard drive. Unless you have pirated versions on a heavily modified PS3. The kind of PS3 that will be bricked the next time a game forces a system updates down your throat. You can NOT use an external drive to save game installs or game data. You can use it to save various media files. You can not transfer locked data without using the Backup and Restore utilities. Anything else?
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bass-head
23/05/2008 10:44 AM
i have a question,i read about the ps3 having 256 ram,is there anyway i could upgrade that and would it make it any faster
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kareem
25/05/2008 08:52 AM
wow, after reading this all i can do is shake my head. my ps3 hard drive upgrade was a no brainer, could have done it drunk/stoned and blind folded. i replased a 40gb drive with a 320GB, it formated to ~294GB. please note that storage is based on binary, not decimal numbers. 1 GB = 1024 MB 1 MB = 1024 KB 1 KB = 1024 Bytes that number is taken from 2^10 as for hacked/hacking ps3, do your home work boys and girls; cnet wont have that type of information posted. there is no such thing as free, my time costs money, it's often cheaper to buy a game than to spend 1-5 days downloading it, patching it, etc. These programmers don't work for free, do you?
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denjav
01/06/2008 12:40 AM
Thanks for the information, but will a 320GB SATA hard disk work?
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Dutch
14/06/2008 01:37 AM
The reason the size reported is smaller than the one installed is that the ps3 uses a portion of it for its own use (OS, swap partition, etc) It the same thing you get with your brand new 80GB ps3; you don't get 80GB for your own use
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^^^ALL IDIOTS^^^
22/06/2008 09:59 AM
all these people are complete idiots! jeez, you CANNOT Copy games onto your HDD, unless they are bought from the PSN Store. YOU CANNOT UPGRADE THE PS3s RAM THE PS3 FORMATS ITS HDD AUTOMATICALLY WHERE'D YOU PEOPLE LEARN TO READ??? And
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No braina
22/06/2008 10:46 PM
hahah is 1 of the funniest threads ive ever read thx guys hahahah
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gg
04/07/2008 02:39 AM
The only REAL way to find out is to try it yourself. Period.
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WillPG
04/07/2008 11:39 AM
Hey couple of questions before i bother with all of this.. 1. Are you sure it works with the 40gb Ps3. 2. Please recomend an easy to find HD (150gb or more) that u no will work for this process. 3. are there any problems from this... *silly question,, but i jus wana make sure*
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WillPG
04/07/2008 12:00 PM
Hey couple of questions before i bother with all of this.. 1. Are you sure it works with the 40gb Ps3. 2. Please recomend an easy to find HD (150gb or more) that u no will work for this process. 3. are there any problems from this... *silly question,, but i jus wana make sure*
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Mr.Manbearpig
08/07/2008 02:28 PM
will it still save the the stuff u had before? or will it forget it?
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Woody
10/07/2008 09:26 PM
Ive got a ps3 40gb and when i put the a 250gb hdd in it says that that it cant run correctly and i need the storage media that contains the update data for version 2.41. Does any one have any ideas on what i can do? if so please reply
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kitefreak
15/07/2008 08:27 PM
When backing up the data on an external storage device, will PS Network titles be capable of backup or can you download these again from the PS store?
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Vincent
15/07/2008 10:53 PM
To Woody You can download the latest firmware 2.41 to a USB thumb drive (Under the path of :\PS3\UPDATE). And press "SELECT" and "START" at the same time. If the system detect the new system file, the hard disk will be formatted and you'll be fine.
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derak
17/07/2008 02:58 AM
Hey Woody and Vincent, have you guys had any luck with the error woody got. I have a 160GB drive with the same error. I downloaded the update and stuck it on a flash I did not add the path as you described but I had no luck, I am at work right now so I can't try yet. But I will add the file to the path marked above and I will also post my results. But I just want to know if it did work or should I be looking at getting another dirve. Thanks Anyone leaving comments that are not PS3 related suck, I had to ready your crap to get my answer and you all sucks. Who cares who cant spell, and for repeate questions just let them be do not answer they will get sick of waiting for the answer and they will start to read if they really want to know. Sorry for those that had to read my comments that are long winded.
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ninjagoat
17/07/2008 02:59 AM
Ive got the PS3 40gig model what i want to know is if i update to the 320gig hdd will i be able to play PS2 games on this system are does the same still remain that the system dos not have the capability to play them. thanks in advance.
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wow
17/07/2008 06:44 AM
Derak- you have to use the path above.
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Hey
18/07/2008 11:15 AM
u cant play any ps2 games on the 40gb even if u change ur hard drive to a new one
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kes74
21/07/2008 07:06 AM
Just read this whilst backing up for my disk change (a WD My Passport Essential 320gb - less than £80 and has a nice external case I'll use for the swap out) and wanted all the "idiots" who were asking if their 2.5" drive proposal was suitable to know they are aren't stupid to check... Not all 2.5" SATA drives are the same and it is very important to know, particularly if looking for the largest possible drive, that the PS3 only take ones that are 9.5mm high! By example; The Samsung Spinpoint HM500LI 500gb 2.5" is the first half terabyte drive that should work with the PS3 (if you can get one - currently supply is short). Of course, by now all the friendly "sages" above should have invested their money in an earlier 500gb 2.5" drive, so may have learned not to be so quick with "smart" statements after their 12.5mm high Fujitsu MHZ2 BT didn't fit. ;-)
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speedtouch
24/07/2008 11:22 PM
i have the 40 gb version & was wondering if it will ever play ps2 games & if i do try replacing the harddrive & something goes wrong will sony replace my ps3? & what type of 250 harddrive do i need for it to work? thanks is advance.
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PJALM
02/08/2008 05:00 AM
I also have the 40g PS3 simply because I already have a PS2 which plays the PS2/PS1 games much better. I upgraded my 40g PS3 to a 500g 2.5" SATA drive as soon as I opened the box. Yes you will always loose some space not due to formatting but due to the GameOS, it has to be installed on the HDD to work. As for it asking for the firmware this is absolutely normal. You need to make a folder on your USB Thumb Drive called PS3 and in there another called UPDATE, place the firmware file in there and follow the instruction on screen and everything will work fine. As for PS3 40g playing PS2/PS1 games, not gonna happen unless Sony makes firmware with full software emulation support. The 40g has none of the old hardware form the PS2 so it can't play the old games. If you really want to play PS2/PS1 games get a PS2, it works much better.
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johnblaze717
05/08/2008 12:21 PM
not all 2.5" hdd's will work b/c i just got a 120gb hdd and it will not fit correctly into the plug ins.
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cc_star
07/08/2008 07:17 PM
Hasn't anyone heard of Google, if you have a question about anything, Google it... I guarantee someone will have written something about it. Apparently there is no such thing as a stupid question, but this thread proves otherwise!!!
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Soundy
21/08/2008 01:00 PM
Dude this is the funniest thread I've read in ages this thing got derailed so fast my head spun. Oh btw does anyone know where i can buy new spark plugs for my 1948 austin healy?
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5pencer
25/08/2008 06:51 AM
Has anyone tried a solid state drive? Would one of these work and would performance been improved?
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rumplestiltskin
26/08/2008 03:02 AM
follow this link to a decent PS3 harddive http://www.aria.co.uk/Products/Components/Hard+Drives/Laptop/SATA/320GB+Fujitsu+2.5%22+8MB+SATA+Laptop+Drive+?productId=31996
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nikos
26/08/2008 07:06 PM
will a 7200rpm internal HD work properly and what format should it be?
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rumplestiltskin
27/08/2008 07:34 AM
yes u could install a 7200rpm drive to a PS3 but it is safer to stick to 5400rpm which is the speed of the drive already in your PS3.Also to those saying they are thinking of installing a 500GB or 1TB i have to remind you the PS3 takes a 2.5" drive not a 3.5"
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ifrit
28/08/2008 09:38 PM
Damn there are some really stupid people here. Firstly can people read! Secondly Ps3 can only fit 2.5" Sata HDD (laptop HDD ) inside it. can go bigger but you have to put up with the unsightly bulky 3.5" sata hdd on the outside with cables going in. Personnally if you can't read simple instructions or advice from intelligent, experienced and able people then. DO NOT TOUCH YOUR PS3.
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Biggusd
31/08/2008 10:11 PM
"You guys are thick..... ANY 2.5" hard drive will work". Clearly this idiot has not tried to install a 500GB Hitachi 2.5" Model:- HTS545050KTA300 drive on the PS3, it physically will not fit so no, not all 2.5" drives will fit. To those sad few using this forum to make derogatory comments about people who are simply asking for help, note you do not know it all, try being helpful not spiteful.
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Roy
06/09/2008 10:34 PM
Some of these comments are utterly priceless.
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Zaadbal
07/09/2008 08:40 PM
@Biggusd that Hitachi drive is fairly new to the market and was not avail at the time the article was published. There is always going to be new products, developments and standards that make tutorials like this redundant or incorrect. Except from a very few, very new special 2,5"SATA models, you can't go wrong with 99,9% of these drives.
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fatman88
08/09/2008 04:56 AM
But can i copy games to my ps3? Just kidding. Man this has been helpful and eye opening. I don't know anything about harddrives etc but the info is pretty clear. thanks. (I might just ask the same question over and over instead of reading the answers, seems to work for other poeple. Or not)
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FaSeCeX
19/09/2008 10:04 AM
i have a couple questions, can i rent games copy them to my ps3 and play them after i return them? can i burn games from my ps3 after getting a new hdd? will it be able to play xbox360/wii games with a new hdd? will the new hdd hack my neighbors wifi connection for free internet? will my ps3 rape me with a 1TB hdd? better yet, solicit it on the corners during the after hours? but what i want to kno the most is how big of a hdd do i need to have it wipe my @$$ after a bad case of bubble guts?!!! PLZ HELP, SOS!! lol cant believe i just wasted 10 mins of my life reading & commenting here...guess im trying to pass the torch on haha
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OMGWTFRUN00bz
20/09/2008 01:23 AM
Anyone that wants help should go to the afterdawn.com forums. PMSL though - N00bz isn't the word!
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saulpimpson
26/09/2008 10:00 AM
back up takes a while. my 40 gb ps3 is taking 50 minutes to backup. about to install a 320 gb wd scorpio.
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