Tutorial: Upgrade Super Slim PS3 HDD

So how exactly do we access the HDD in our Super Slim PS3's? It's actually so easy that this video is rendered useless. But thanks for watching anyway!

If you own a 12GB PS3 and would like to know where to get a Mounting Bracket/Caddy for an HDD you're putting in, you can buy one here:

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[ElectricalSynapse]

Yes, you can. I just (literally 5 minutes ago) upgraded my 12gb PS3 with a 320gb hard drive I had lying around. Super easy, took me only a a few minutes. Make sure you get the mounting bracket as indicated in the video's description. I bought the exact same one and it works perfectly.

[RabidKanid]

I'm thinking of getting a super slim PS3 with the smallest memory, then buy a 1TB hard drive to stick in it and pay the same as what you would get for a 500GB PS3.

[VandalShorty]

I just bought the super slim, and I was so afraid of breaking the case too. This is definitely helpful to those of us upgrading from an old model plagued by the YLOD. Thank you!

[MysticRyan]

Hi, I'm glad you like the video!

1. By bracket, I'm assuming you're talking about the metal holster for the HDD. The Super Slim model does need a specific holster which you can find online to buy.
2. When you upgrade the HDD of a PS3, you do want to back up your data. When a new HDD is put into a PS3, the PS3 will reformat the HDD. So you want to get your data off your old one. Then you can restore the data safely on the new one.

[MysticRyan]

Well, a PS3 using SSD actually doesn't add that much speed/performance. The SSD is definitely faster, but I mean, really you are not going to notice much of a difference when using the traditional HDD. Certain games that have to always read the Blu-ray will load environments quicker, but even then, other games don't have to read the Blu-ray all the time, thus no matter what you're using, it's the same. So I wouldn't worry too much about speed. Glad my video helped!

[MysticRyan]

You can absolutely do that, just make sure that you back up your data to an external hard drive BEFORE taking your HDD out. When you put the HDD in your new PS3, the new PS3 won't let you use it until you format the HDD. So that way when you format it, you can restore all your data from that external hard drive.

[MysticRyan]

ALL PS3's use a 2.5 inch Hard Drive. That has NEVER changed, however, the caddy's, (The metal holder for the HDD) is different depending on the PS3's. If you search the comments below, I tell others that you can just put the HDD in the Super Slim without the holder, it just wouldn't be stuck in place. Which is easily fixable by using non-static carboard to fill in the open areas.

[taraturner]

Thnx. You are properly the first person to explain this with out talking in geek language

[MysticRyan]

Yes they do. I've been using 7200 rpm HDD's in my PS3's for years. They even save a few seconds in certain games when loading.

[aaronuk]

Just like to point out, if you had trouble opening the slot as i did i used the non knife side of a butter knife against the end closest to the power button and pushed like that came of with a bit of force, nothing to excessive though.

[blemishednicely]

1) 500GB is largest recommended, TB's seem unstable (some do/most don't)

2) Yes, as long as you only store content that is not "locked" (DLC, etc.)

3) Can't say for sure as haven't played/tried, but am assuming the 2 networks have no way to "link" to each other (haven't heard of a single instance yet, at least).

Hope that's a good set of answers for you/sorry if not.

[MysticRyan]

I mention this right at the end of this video! Don't worry. You can still use your HDD. Just grab Sony's firmware from their website, and put it on a USB Drive or whatever you may have and follow the instructions your PS3 gives you. You can still use your HDD.

[skyblue]

The side panel that you should remove is on the disc reading side. I wish he would have mentioned that as I almost broke my case trying to pry the case off on the wrong side. Though i am grateful nonetheless that he uploaded a video showing how to change the hdd.

[MysticRyan]

Yes it does. As I say in the video, consider backing up your data because any HDD being put into a PS3 needs to be formatted.

[bluebells]

i upgraded a month ago from 80 to 160 gig so simple. the usb upgrade caught me out though youtube vids i watched never mentioned this, your the 1st ive seen that has so well done on that.

[philskilz]

So i have a 40GB model PS3 Super Fat since it was released, it got the yellow light of death about a month ago. If i get the new Super Slim, I can install my 40GB HDD from the original PS3 into this 1 & it should work fine?

[CJMoody]

So why doesn't the 12-Gig model already have one of these brackets?

[MysticRyan]

You can, the problem with that though is that whenever a PS3 gets a new HDD put in it, the PS3 cannot use the HDD until it is formatted. So if you want to use your old HDD, you definitely could, you just need to back up your data so you can restore it once it's back in the new PS3.

[jacbradshaw]

If you just bought the console and wanted to do a HDD upgrade straight away would you have to back up all your data? :)

[RaihanSkywalker]

Is this the 500gb version or 12gb because i am buying the 12gb version but i want to add a hardrive with more memory because 12gb is hardly any. Can you do that for the 12gb version becuase it is flash memory? Thanks