Comparison: Is the 40GB PS3 such a bad deal?

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 18th 2007 at 5:00PM }

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Is the 40GB PS3 really such a bad deal? We stacked a number of systems side by side to see which gaming console is the best value (at least, in terms of hardware). For example, when compared to the Xbox 360, the $399 PS3 may seem like a pretty good deal, provided you're looking for built-in wi-fi and an HD movie player. These two peripherals cost $99 and $179 each for the Xbox 360.

However, let's not forget that the 20GB Xbox 360 includes some backwards compatibility support (the 40GB PS3 does not). In addition, you get two free games with the system.

The 60GB PS3 is in an interesting position right now, as it currently costs the same as the 80GB model. For the same price, you can get a larger hard drive and a free game. The only difference? The 80GB has more limited backwards compatibility support. Patrick Seybold from SCEA reminds us that "There are no plans to lower the price of the 60GB model. The 60GB model has nearly 95% backwards compatibility, so consumers looking for that feature have the option while supplies last."

[Update: Chart updated with user suggested information. Updated with minor corrections. Thanks, readers!]

Tags: 40gb, 60gb, ps3, xbox-360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

adamantypants @ Oct 18th 2007 5:08PM

If anything, that chart makes me want the 360 more.

But I already have a 60g PS3 from launch, so I'm good.

Tim Parsons @ Oct 18th 2007 5:11PM

I'd still go with 80Gb extra 20GB and a game, for same price as 60GB,.

If I didnt alreayd have a 60GB form back in Feb and were gettign one next month for the first time I'd get the 80GB,.

RazielDune @ Oct 18th 2007 5:12PM

i am buying a 40gb i don't really care about Backwards Compatiblity the reason why people complained at the 360 compantiblity is cause the just tottally stoped making xbox the moment 360 came and alot of epople wanted to continue to play their old games and thats why i don't care cause ps3 games are coming now so i don't need to play ps2 games now and if i want to i got a PS2 lol also i allready got a 60gb but i want a 40gb for the Dorm Room.

The1 @ Oct 18th 2007 5:13PM

It's about games and what the gamer truly wants. Otherwise, the PS3's would be flying off the shelf.

MadCowMartin @ Oct 18th 2007 5:17PM

Ehm, atleast in Europe the PS3 60gb comes with motorstorm and resistance fall of men for 499... Are you sure there're no games bundled in the US?

Sy @ Oct 18th 2007 5:19PM

You guys forgot to add the free Spider-man 3 Blu-ray that comes with the 40 GB PS3

EDGE @ Oct 18th 2007 5:29PM

I thought in the MS camp, only the elite has HDMI out ?

Julio @ Oct 18th 2007 5:31PM

OR you could always go to craigslist.com and buy your 60gb PS3 for 400 bucks (and I got Resistance on top of it) as PS3s don't go kaput like the X360

TVGenius @ Oct 18th 2007 5:32PM

I guess I'm gonna have to jump on a 60GB before they sell out. If I'm paying that much, I'd rather get one that can play my PS2 games than one that comes with a game I don't care about.

Deviation @ Oct 18th 2007 5:43PM

@7: Microsoft finally added HDMI to the rest of the line.

Shattercross @ Oct 18th 2007 5:51PM

@7

All the new ones since the Elite came out come with Hdmi support.

Shattercross @ Oct 18th 2007 5:52PM

Aye, twas' beaten to the punch by Deviation.

sectionz @ Oct 18th 2007 6:00PM

andrew my ragin' asian .. you forgot the Free Online ;)

Micah Neumark @ Oct 18th 2007 5:58PM

I have to point this out. As far as I know, the Xbox 360 does not use software emulation for their backwards compatibility. It has them download a version of the game compiled for the 360 processor. This is just pathetic. At least the PS3 (40 gb aside) has real software emulation which means almost every game works (haven't had any problems yet).

One other thing. Even tho the 40 gb PS3 doesn't have any memory card ports, you can still plug a $5 card reader in to the PS3 and it will work, card reader be damned!

Nate @ Oct 18th 2007 7:09PM

40gig is good for getting cheapos in the door (and still looks like a killing compared to the 360.... that $50 gets you a lot.... it's worth it for the wireless alone).

The 60gig is still the way to go in my mind. The game with the 80gig can be gotten used for a reasonable price and the hard drive is eminently upgradeable, whereas the BC is not.

This is actually a great comparison... I really like it. To my mind, the prices are finally where they need to be to be competitive with the 360.

Random1448 @ Oct 18th 2007 6:00PM

It's definitely a good deal, but I'm still getting the 80gb

Kspraydad @ Oct 18th 2007 6:11PM

Not sure about the US but in Canada they all come with 5 free blu-ray movies too...

Kspraydad @ Oct 18th 2007 6:12PM

The PS3 is what I am refering to...those should be on the chart.

Livi70590 @ Oct 18th 2007 6:23PM

@5, What?

do you mean this? http://www.amazon.fr/Console-Playstation-Starter-Heavenly-manettes/dp/B000WGCNG6/ref=pd_bbs_sr_6/403-0606321-1796421?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1192746109&sr=8-6

Marasai @ Oct 18th 2007 6:28PM

Ah the double standard charts...I was waiting for this.

If you are going to include HD movie playback and wifi in the charts which are not needed for gaming, then how about including the things the ps3 lacks? Like Headsets and hd cables and rumble controllers. all of which the ps3 requires you to buy seperately for around 40-50 bucks. And those things actually do add to games.

John @ Dec 5th 2007 9:18PM

ah, no. The ps3 does not require you to buy them. You can play it just fine without them.

Otsego_Undead @ Oct 18th 2007 6:38PM

HDD space is a mute point with the PS3 since you can buy howver big of a HDD you want and swap it. Youre not limited like M$ has done..
http://playstation.joystiq.com/tag/hdd/

Almadi @ Oct 18th 2007 6:44PM

A step in the right direction, but it still needs to cut at least a $100 more for the flood gates to bust open:

http://madiart.blogspot.com/2007/10/only-alchamists-need-apply.html

Konchu @ Oct 18th 2007 7:05PM

Sorry if it needs a chart for justification there is a problem. And this is just a replay back to the original PS3 comparisons. The bottom line is the amount spent and the desired functionality are what at the end of the day justify the cost but that varies person to person(I had already ran cable for my PS2 and Xbox so Wireless though nice was not a factor in either my PS3 or Xbox 360 purchase). The limited BC of some of the PS3's and Xbox 360's may be adequate for some people and not for others. If you want a Blu Ray Player you would be a fool not to own a PS3 and the HD-DVD player early on was one of the most economically ways to play HD-DVD still is if you have a 360.

Now my problem with this new PS3 isn't so much it doesn't have BC as the others builds of PS3 do. It was a selling point to me of the PS3 as a whole now its getting shucked off and thrown to the side by those that used to herald it. People have problems with multiple sku's and really I personally only do when its like this were a major accepted feature is striped. This creates confusion on people buying the system and there is no way to add it back in(you can get a HDD for the 360 for BC and more downloads). Before this announcement if you asked me what the PS3 had going for it I would say Sony's Breed of HD gaming, HD Blu-Ray Movies, and a long history of BC. So for me they just ripped out one of its best features.

Maybe they have went too far with BC as it is they couldn't keep on forever. The emotion engine,Cell,RSX,what ever is next are diverse enough it might eventually cost too much to continue down that path, but I personally would have preferred they though of that earlier. The only reason anyone cares about BC games is because Sony made it a priority and look all the consoles now have it at some level. So does it really not matter for some yes others no only time will tell but why piss people off when you don't have to.

Extinction @ Oct 19th 2007 2:55PM

"If you are going to include HD movie playback and wifi in the charts which are not needed for gaming, then how about including the things the ps3 lacks? Like Headsets and hd cables and rumble controllers"

They did include HD cables, and rumble controllers on that chart. Did you not read it? They also ignored how PS3 can use any USB mass media device as a memory card, has free online, can use a lot more non proprietary accessories, etc.

Justin @ Oct 18th 2007 9:28PM

1) All new Xbox 360's have HDMI (even the new "Core")
2) The Elite has the two bundled games as well.

CharteredDragon @ Oct 18th 2007 8:07PM

Heads up: I bought 60GB PS3 last week from EB Games, and I have chosen 60GB version because of its backward compatibility.

To my surprise, my PS3 also came with original remote control and "Pirates of Caribbean" game. This is not advertised! Even the staff who was selling to me did not know that offer until he sold the console to me! So before you picked up a 80GB version, make sure you check out this 60GB version deal!

Nintendo iPS360 @ Oct 18th 2007 10:10PM

Not to bash aganist the PS3 or the Xbox 360, but in the pic, it says the PS3 can support up to seven controllers, they should change the category to Wireless devices, because the Xbox 360 can support 4 wireless controllers & 4 wireless headsets all at the same time...

eetfuk @ Oct 19th 2007 2:35AM

The chart doesn't do the Xbox 360 Elite justice. First of all, it too will come bundled with Forza 2 and Marvel, like the regular Xbox 360. Also, out of all consoles listed, it's the only one that comes with the HDMI cable included...which has about a $50+ value...so that should have been another comparison point.

John @ Oct 18th 2007 10:05PM

Arno, you have to put the game in the slot, for it to play.

And we would have to put a brain in your head to make you understand.

I want to re-iterate what someone else posted, this chart should definately include free online, mentioning that xbox live is another $50 or whatever goofy price it is...

I saw Forza2 and I was thinking, would I buy an Xbox360 for even $299 if it included Forza2? Then I remembered that my ps3 can play the ps2's GT4.

Plus, I just don't want that machine in my house, I don't like what it stands for, and I don't like that it breaks down so much. This was a brilliant move by Microsoft. They must have known ahead of time that young pre-pubescent males (and yes, I'm addressing the 30-something crowd that plays X360) were the most gullible and trustworthy demographic that has ever been siphoned from...

Mike @ Oct 18th 2007 11:35PM

You also have to factor in that the XBox 360 controllers are not
rechargeable without an add-on battery/charger/play-and-charge kit.
Basically another $20 expenditure.

whodat @ Oct 19th 2007 12:27AM

forgot to add the free online versus pay for online service

ccindyderek @ Oct 19th 2007 2:30AM

The chart is a very cool feature to have, thanks for making it. However, there are a few things to point out. The $349 360 does come with a headset, it is a wired one, as is the headset in the Elite 360. Also, the Elite 360 does include the bundle of Forza 2 and Marvel Ultimate Alliance. The $349 360 doesn't come with all the HD cables, it doesn't include an HDMI cable, just the port (and only some of them do, but I don't know which model numbers, or if the bundled ones that ship to stores actually do come with the port.) The Elite 360 does come with an HDMI cable though. Again, thanks for the chart, I didn't know that the PS3 could support up to 7 players at a time. You may want to add the number of USB ports as well, and that those rumble controllers for the PS3 will be separate, and not included with new systems when they ship.

BlackBeltJones @ Oct 19th 2007 3:41AM

The chart is wrong the $349 360s do come with headsets only the $279 360s don't.

The thing that bothers me about the new sku is that it's just another inconvenience. You lose space in your entertainment center, lose the money for trading in a ps2 toward the purchase of a ps3, lose the spaces in the tv connections. I'm just tired of sony flip floping, first rumble wasn't important anymore and now it is, now the company that practically invented BC is saying that it isn't important, next they'll tell me that Blu-Ray was only a stop gap technology until they could get the MiniDisc format ready for relaunch.

RankHypocrisy @ Oct 19th 2007 9:27AM

@32 -- An HDMI cable is NOT a "$50+ value." Here is one of many for $12.99 at Newegg.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812105827

Whining about the inclusion/exclusion of the HDMI cable is a red herring. For example, my HDTV has a DV-I port, so I had to buy an HDMI-DVI cable. Why would I want to pay extra to have a normal HDMI cable included in the box? It would be worthless to me.

RankHypocrisy @ Oct 19th 2007 9:29AM

Moorio @ Oct 19th 2007 12:08PM

@35 RankHypocrisy

Yeah, for you maybe.

But a lot of people do have HDMI on their tv, so the cable would come in handy.

I think that if you have a product that you're marketing as a HD machine and it's $400, then I think you should include a $12 cable...

thefan...ps3 @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:41AM

listen u ps3 haters out there... ps3 just came out...just wait till 08 and see what is comming your way...
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
God of War III
Resident Evil 5
Mortal Kombat 8
Resistance: Fall of Man
Resistance: Fall of Man 2
James Bond 007
Army of Two
Assassin's Creed
Black 2
BlackSite: Area 51
Brave Arms
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway
Call of Duty 3
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
The Club
Conan
Dark Sector
The Darkness
Def Jam: Icon
Devil May Cry 4
Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon
Dynasty Warriors 6
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion
Fallout 3
F.E.A.R.
Final Fantasy XIII
Genji: Days of the Blade
The Getaway 3
The Godfather: The Don's Edition
Gran Turismo 5
Grand Theft Auto IV
Half-Life 2: The Orange Box
Heavenly Sword
Killzone 2
Medal of Honor: Airborne
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
Saints Row 2
Silent Hill V
Soulcalibur IV
Skate
Street Fighter IV
Tekken 6
Time Crisis 4
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Vegas
Turok
Virtua Fighter 5

bamf @ Oct 20th 2007 12:29PM

I would get the 60gb and upgrade the HDD like I already have done, but I have the limited B/C but a 160gb HDD.

As Sony is phasing out the 60gb, what they should do maybe at the end of March - begining of April is reduce the 40gb a further $50 and keep the 80GB at $499. But the 80GB will bundle with 2 of the new Dualshock 3 pads, HDMI cable, Warhawk with a bluetooth headset, and another free game

Ironhide @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:41AM

**13. I have to point this out. As far as I know, the Xbox 360 does not use software emulation for their backwards compatibility. It has them download a version of the game compiled for the 360 processor. This is just pathetic. At least the PS3 (40 gb aside) has real software emulation which means almost every game works (haven't had any problems yet).**

100% wrong. The 360 does in fact emulate the xbox game console with software. When emulation enables one game, often other games are unlocked as well enabling bc support to upgrade 2-3 or even 4 titles at a time. A version of said game that was compiled would take up much, much more memory that the small files that the 360 downloads with a new b/c update.

Also as was pointed out above, the PS3 can support up to 7 bluetooth devices, just not 7 controllers. In actual fact it can only support 4 as is and 3 additional devices such as a keyboard, remote control, and head set.

Also. thefan...ps3, almost 3/4s of the list you gave us features games that are available now or at the same time down the road on 360. You should have listed ps3 exclusives only. most of those experiences can be had now, and certainly as good if not better than the ps3 equivelant based on past ports.

Ian @ Oct 24th 2007 11:51AM

I'm a "casual" gamer/HT geek with a 1080p TV so the cheaper PS3 is what I'm all about...I don't care about a huge HDD, wifi, or BC...i'm not buying 1080p-capable hardware to play games designed for 480i...as long as it has hdmi to support 1080p gaming and bluray, I'm in. I have been waiting for this for a while...