Upgrading PS3 harddrive questions

[Satoshi_Matrix]

I'm starting to run out of room on my launch PS3 fat's 60 GB harddrive and know it can be user replaced by swapping in another one.

A few questions.

1. The harddrive that's currently in it is a Seagate Momentus 5200 RPM 60 GB 2.5" drive. Can I replace it with Seagate Momentus 7200 500 GB 2.5" drive? I've heard various things that 7200 won't work on the PS3, or at least some wont. Will newer Seagates work?

2. Assuming its in FAT32, does the PS3 still need to format new drives when installed? Likewise, do you need to format the old PS3 drive to be able to use it as an external drive on MacOS?

3. Can you swap the hardrives out from another PS3 without re-formatting the drive? I have a 120 GB PS3 slim as well. Could I exchange the drives if I wanted to without altering the data on either?

4. Anything else I should know?

Thanks guys.

[VincentX]

I'm facing the same problem and I'd like to add one more question:

How easy or hard is it to transfer saves and installs?

[Breetai]

1. The harddrive that's currently in it is a Seagate Momentus 5200 RPM 60 GB 2.5" drive. Can I replace it with Seagate Momentus 7200 500 GB 2.5" drive? I've heard various things that 7200 won't work on the PS3, or at least some wont. Will newer Seagates work?

They should, but it is still wise to do a search on the drive you are thinking of buying to see if others have used it on the PS3.

2. Assuming its in FAT32, does the PS3 still need to format new drives when installed? Likewise, do you need to format the old PS3 drive to be able to use it as an external drive on MacOS?

Yes and yes.

3. Can you swap the hardrives out from another PS3 without re-formatting the drive? I have a 120 GB PS3 slim as well. Could I exchange the drives if I wanted to without altering the data on either?

No, you need to reformat any drive you put in a PS3; even if it is from another PS3.

4. Anything else I should know?

It really isn't that hard. The best thing is to back everything up on an external HD, then use that backed up data with your new drive. Somethings will transfer, like game saves and custom system settings. Others will not, like anything downloaded from the PSN. You will have to re-download everything. Save time on the data transfer by not bothering with the PSN downloaded stuff. Make sure to write everything down to you don't forget to re-download something! Also, if you had traded someone for a PSN game... you can probably kiss it goodbye, unless you can convince that person to give you it again.

How easy or hard is it to transfer saves and installs?

See the above answer.

[VincentX]

Best...answers...ever.

Anyone on the site have recommendations in terms of what hard drives to use?

I don't meant to try and take over the questions in the thread but I've been considering this for about a month now.

[Cronson]

This HDD works great in my PS3.

http://www.memory4less.com/m4l_itemdeta ... 1449938253

[VincentX]

Woa...uh, did I read that price right?

Let me revise: what are the best "cheap" ones?

[elvis]

I'm considering an SSD for my PS3. Get those loading times down a bit.

[VincentX]

Saw this on Amazon:



Anyone get this one? A couple of the reviews said they got this for the PS3 and it worked well.

Also if I only copy over save files, can I just re-install games and not lose anything outside of DLC that I'd have to re-download anyway?

[Cronson]

Haha, kidding aside, I put in a 500gb Seagate (I think) 5400rpm and it seems great. I'd definitely recommend using a usb jump drive to copy all your saves to, and then do your HDD install (it's soo easy). If you try and back everything up to an external, it'll take an hour +. If you just do saves, it can be a few minutes.

As for RPM speed, I heard 7200 doesn't effect much. Here's an article by Gamepro that concurs:
http://www.gamepro.com/article/features ... ed-matter/

I have read that the Solid State drives take the install times waaay down. I can't wait for the day those things are cheap. On a side note Sony Memory Stick Pro Duo keeps getting cheaper and bigger (for us PSP owners). There's a 32gb stick now and it goes on amazon for about $125.

[VincentX]

Hahaha, I got worried there for a sec. That previous one was about twice as much as my car.

Awesome, thanks a ton man. I have a 4 GB PSP mem stick but it's got all my PSP stuff on it obviously; though I could move all of it and re-format after. 4GB should be enough for just saves.

For those who want a link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/ ... dition=new

I gotta say, this site is fantastic for help with systems/games/anything video game related. If I can't find what I need with Racketboy's guides then I know I can come to the forums and find out what I need. Seriously, you're all phenomenal.