GamePro guide makes PS3 hard drive install easy

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 2nd 2007 at 3:15PM }

Is 60GB (or 80GB) simply not enough space for your PS3? We know it's easy to swap PS3's hard drive ... but GamePro's picture-by-picture guide makes the process even easier. The tools required are simple: Husky Precision Screwdriver, external hard drive or USB thumb drive (for copying over files), and a 2.5" SATA laptop drive. Thanks to the XMB's easy to use interface, the process of copying over files and formatting the new PS3 drive is a cinch. Maybe you'll want to throw in a new 160GB hard drive into your PS3? They only go for about $100 these days.

[Via digg]

Tags: gamepro, guide, harddrive

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Torgo @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:30PM

I just upgraded to a 160GB drive about a week ago, and it was INCREDIBLY easy. I actually went through the process on our new episode that's coming out tonight.

http://playstationnationpodcast.com

GRT @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:32PM

Wow, what a ripoff of this guy's blog:
http://www.1up.com/do/my1Up?publicUserId=5746297
(2nd story down the page)

Gamepro... what a den of scum and villainy!

Zhi13 @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:47PM

where do they sell 160gb hdd for 100???

Andy @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:47PM

By shear blind luck I figured out how I can keep my saves on my new hard drive.

I am actually using my digital camera to transfer my saves to my new hard drive. I just plugged it in to the USB adapter and copied the files to it.

I'll be getting my new hard drive today. Its a 120 GB Seagate drive.

I can't wait...I'll be able to download both GRAW2 and the Darkness and not have to delete them after playing...YAY!

Tru-blue @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:53PM

right on! I've been wanting to upgrade my 60gb to a 160gb hdd. I just haven't gotten to going out to the store and get one yet. I'm still waiting to get some coupons or for a sale to come along for the 160gbs.

Andy @ Aug 2nd 2007 3:57PM

This is the best guide I have read so far, all the other ones forgot about transferring your saves which was the only part I didn't understand.

Peter J @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:00PM

What are people doing with their used 60gb hhd?

Justin @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:07PM

i've already upgraded to a 160GBB hdd.

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/j_blaza_2005/DSC00822.jpg

http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a235/j_blaza_2005/DSC00827.jpg

just need something to put ON it now!!

i need to know a good site that explains how to rip DVD's into mp4's and watch them from my PS3...i tried...and tried....but i FAIL!!!

any help?

Justin @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:11PM

oh and btw...it WAS incredibly easy!!

until i stripped one of the screws...
i almost shit my pants...then cried like a bitch.

but after an hour of bending the hdd tray out of shape and twisting the metal back and forth...i got the screw out...bent the tray back into the best rectangular-like shape i could...replaced the drive, and put 3 of the 4 screws back in. turned it on and VOILA!!!

moral of the story...don't rush :( you might end up having a heart attack.

and my old 60GB HDD is sitting in my top drawer.

Ollebro @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:22PM

Im going to putt a 250 GB in mine!

Doug @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:30PM

120gb - $70 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136072

250gb - $189 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136123

FrankBilboWinkerToups @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:52PM

Someday I reckon I'm going to have to do this. Right now I still have space on the old 60gig one so I'm not really in a rush. PS3 Elite* *-(Ghetto Edition)!

Dahk @ Aug 2nd 2007 4:55PM

DOOOD!

Someone needs to stick an SSD HDD into the PS3 to see if it runs games intensely fast lol.

Andy @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:09PM

For downloading DVD's into .mp4 format I recomend Cucusoft or PQDVD. Or find one that changes things to apple tv format because thats the same as always.

James @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:16PM

Best buy had a sale on 160GB drives for like $65 a few weeks ago. They were PATA though, so no help here.

Personally, I'd rather stick my content on a backup raid array so if I the drive crashes it's not a huge loss. I'm not in a huge rush to upgrade the hard drive.

Dave @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:17PM

Yeah, what is everyone filling their HDD's with that require more than 60 GB at the moment? There's nothing on the PSN.

craig @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:11PM

I don't even see the point in spending a whole bunch of time putting media on the PS3...you can stream quite easily from a PC in which the data can be much more secure in a RAID array.

Wesley Hester @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:15PM

I added a 120GB easily into mine to match my 360 Elite. Plenty of room on both: for the time being.

craig @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:17PM

I don't even see the point in spending a whole bunch of time putting media on the PS3...you can stream quite easily from a PC in which the data can be much more secure in a RAID array. Even 1080p trailers are like drops in a huge 60 gig bucket.

h0mi @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:38PM

More guides please. Linux and streaming videos would be appreciated.

FrankBilboWinkerToups @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:56PM

Hey what about the downloaded games? If you back up everything can you get those back or do you redownload it again.

otsego_undead @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:12PM

LMFAO!!!! WHERE ARE YOU OMGZXBOX360ELITE120GB fanboys now????? Thank you PS3 Fanboy for helping point out the HDD superiority over the other consoles (wii hdd? what?). I think this is one of the PS3's strongest selling points and should be touted more.

Justin @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:28PM

@ 22...just go to your ps store and go to download list...and re-download all of ur stuff. its there for free.

youdiejoe @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:39PM

I picked up the Team Xceuter's PS3 HDXT and added a 500GB. Very easy, 500GB for $100 eSATA enclosure $50.

http://www.mrmodchips.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=451&osCsid=d68744759621de5c2561797f70cb44cc

Popfrogs @ Aug 2nd 2007 8:50PM

To those of you wondering why anyone would upgrade..keep in mind the PS3 is a media hub. I have my PC with nearly a terabyte worth of video and songs, streaming over DLNA (with Nero Ultra media home it streams anything to the PS3) and am considering installing a larger HD. Why? So I can *copy* all my stuff to the PS3 instead.

Ultimately it'd probably be smarter to get a couple of external USB hard drives and store my stuff on them...but at least the PS3 is open enough to give us options.

Whubbsie @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:21PM

Is there a limit on the size of the HDD? or can it any size as long as its 2.5" drive??

Parker @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:24PM

I have been a little wary of doing this on my own (read: scared) but I may just have to try it now. It looked like a fairly easy process.

MYPS3KilledMy360 @ Aug 2nd 2007 11:27PM

i wonder who was the asshole who thought a 20 gig ps3 or 360 withour a hhd would suffice i got 16 gigs of music some people 30 gigs of just music not including the movies and hardly ever delete anything because there like go damn finger nails as soon as you cut them you always need them to scratch something.

Andy @ Aug 3rd 2007 12:21AM

"what is everyone filling their HDD's with that require more than 60 GB at the moment?"

I have a 20 GB one so its already full to capacity. I agree though if you got a 60GB HD there is no point upgrading.