Firmware 3.0 loading times contrasted with 2.8

by Ludwig Kietzmann { Sep 2nd 2009 at 4:30PM }

Aside from sparkly background support and an expanded XMB interface, we've yet to point-2 many of the smaller differences between the PlayStation 3's 2.8-version firmware and its latest 3.0 update. Thankfully, we have the internet for that, and it's given us some new pedantic comparison videos to mull over and possibly dispute!

Youtube user "PS3slimComparison" has documented console startup times, Blu-ray launch times and video game loading times on his PS3 Slim, first equipped with Firmware 2.8, and then Firmware 3.0. Waiting times appear to be shorter with 3.0 (and who doesn't want to get into Arkham Asylum as fast as possible?), but we were curious to discover if there would be a notable speed improvement on a 60GB PS3 with the latest software. Based on our informally derived test results (see them after the break), the answer appears to be a curt "no." It's possible that 3.0 is tailored to take advantage of the Slim's newer hardware, excluding longtime owners from any supposed speed gains.

Speculation aside, we were shocked to find just how much quicker 3.0 is when it comes to Uncharted -- on 2.8, the game takes forever to freeze.

[Via PlayStation forums; thanks, Garrett]

Original PS3 test times:
Batman: Arkham Asylum stage load (2.8): 27.3 seconds
Batman: Arkham Asylum stage load (3.0): 27.1 seconds

Ridge Racer 7 race load (no install) (2.8): 23.5 seconds
Ridge Racer 7 race load (no install) (3.0): 24 seconds

Uncharted initial load (2.8): 39.4 seconds
Uncharted initial load (3.0): 40.3 seconds

Wipeout HD race load (2.8): 16.8 seconds
Wipeout HD race load (3.0): 16.8 seconds

Zen Pinball Shaman table load (2.8): 29.1 seconds
Zen Pinball Shaman table load (3.0): 32.3 seconds

Slim PS3 test:

Tags: comparison, ps3-firmware, ps3-firmware-2.80, ps3-firmware-3.00, ps3-slim, xmb

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

TheSaiyan @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:39PM

Come on Sony. Seriously. When you go up a whole number (i.e. 2 to 3), theres supposed to be a big step. As much as those sparkles brighten up my day, 3.0 leaves a lot to be desired. Of course I can possibly say i'm expecting too much, but then again, who isn't?

Space @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:44PM

would it make you feel better if they released a 3.0.1 patch to downgrade the number to 2.9.9?

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:52PM

Who made up this rule that X.0 is supposed to be a major change? (Which imo it was, and I can't wait 'til they start rolling out themes and avatars)

Pat @ Sep 2nd 2009 5:31PM

3.0 leaves a lot to be desired? Why?

Kodros @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:19PM

"When you go up a whole number (i.e. 2 to 3), theres supposed to be a big step"

Maybe you should go back and look at the 2.0 update where the biggest feature was Themes...

http://www.joystiq.com/2007/11/07/ps3-firmware-2-00-tomorrow-full-details-today/

borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Sep 3rd 2009 8:15AM

Sony prefers to fight the power and do major releases on point numbers. See, that's just how hip they are...

But if I were a betting man, I'd say that 3.0 contains framework code for subsequent large improvements. And if I want to talk further out of my ass, I'd say that it's smart to get all the bugs for said framework outta the way so that the cool features aren't marred by white controllers dying or game freezes.

Good thing I only do cold, hard speculation. I hate guesses from the uninformed.

antilight @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:41PM

Anyone else notice the absence of the "PLAYSTATION 3" splash screen when starting a ps3 game?

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:44PM

I know... You'd think that would remove some time from starting up a game... It seems to be quicker to me.

TheSaiyan @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:45PM

Yeah. There seems to be a logo on startup of the system but the logo at the startup of a game is missing. Who knows. Maybe they took it out to update it to a fancier, newer logo? The Swirly puddle thingy that used to come up on loading is now gone too.

Wiizer ($299) Having BC On Your Launch Console? (Priceless) @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:42PM

I did my own informal tests with my 60 GB PS3, and got the following results:

I can play PS2 games.

But, that's not a big difference in before or after load times... I'll take my BC over -.001 addition to load times.

They took out the PlayStation3 screen, so I thought that would save some time.

Chris @ Sep 2nd 2009 5:09PM

hahaha. Great comment!

megapenguinx @ Sep 3rd 2009 1:11AM

I did my own test with my 80gb and I got the following results:

I can't play like half my PS2 games.

But other than that, meh. Things on the menu seem to load a little bit faster for me.

borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Sep 3rd 2009 8:17AM

"I can't play like half my PS2 games."

Is the compatibility rate even close to that bad on the 80? If so, I think I will cry if my 60 ever dies. I have a ton of PS3 games to play, but I still haven't finished all I want to play from the last generation.

Jinsenken @ Sep 3rd 2009 4:52PM

Slim + Slim PS2 > FIVE NINETY NINE US DOLLARS

PN04 @ Sep 3rd 2009 10:08PM

The 80gb was supposed to have been brought to nearly identical compatibility as the 60gb but there are a few games with minor hitches that tend to ruin the game.

googleadam @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:47PM

I did find that the XMB loads a little snappier in 3.0 when in-game

60GB owner

maybe it was just me tho

Space @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:52PM

I have a 60gb and with 3.0 I found that I'm 3 times less likely to visit the Playstation Store...out of spite.

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:54PM

It does for me too, along with the friends list and profiles.

40 GB owner

Traceur_Ryuk (PSN: Ryuk_shinigami) @ Sep 2nd 2009 4:55PM

@Space: Why?

Space @ Sep 2nd 2009 5:24PM

because even though I check the store weekly they felt the need to add 3 more icons

craigw08 @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:27PM

@ space agreed do the think every ps3 owner is blind theyve given us massive icons and (if you include whats new) 4 ways to get into the store well done sony now the xmb is a clusterfuck

Fakeplasticball @ Sep 2nd 2009 5:17PM

Screw the new hardware! I like my consoles like I like my cars, starting up with a werr-hiss- pop-ga-grrr-ga-grrr-grrrrr VROOM.

kentuckyfried @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:00PM

XMB is still unresponsively slow as molasses....

yung killa @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:09PM

the update also made it so that you can't view the XMB while listening to music...that was a functionality i used alot! come on sony get it right next time.

craigw08 @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:21PM

you can. you have to change the output frequency in setting, but i cant remember what to

fundando @ Sep 2nd 2009 7:49PM

48k

joe @ Sep 2nd 2009 6:38PM

"...on 2.8, the game takes forever to freeze" lol I HATE 3.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MrXile @ Sep 2nd 2009 7:03PM

It's all good as usual for me.... dont mind the changes.

Well, apart from the friends list now being awful to look at, yes, more information, but it looks ghastly.

Why is there no option to lower the font size or something? ITS HUGE!!

sc00by_y00 @ Sep 2nd 2009 7:24PM

funny ludwig very funny, but seriously I laughed out loud, nice touch at the end.

fundando @ Sep 2nd 2009 7:50PM

To me it seems like everything loads up faster.

zadee @ Sep 3rd 2009 12:47AM

Well who gives a flying F**k bout thoes mili sec of loading time difference. jus gotta love the 3.0 for giving us a new look.jus loving it.

Brad @ Sep 3rd 2009 2:57AM

The animated themes are cool. THAT'S IT!

I HATE the fact that this firmware basically loads the entire XMB with advertisements.

I HATE the scrolling advertisement up by the clock.

I also DON'T NEED a Playstation Store icon in three different places in the XMB.

I HATE that on startup it defaults to the "What's new" advertisement for the Playstation Store.

The XMB is now just as bad as the XB360 interface in terms of being loaded with advertisements - the lack of which was on of the things I liked about the PS3.

Also, why can't I have a black background anymore, as I did (at night) with the previous firmware? Purple is the darkest color I can pick!?!?!?!?!?

JJ @ Sep 3rd 2009 9:36AM

Yea, I was kind of wondering about that last night too.. what the heck is with the purple. bleh. I liked the black background... and I can't even pick it as a color option.

sc00by_y00 @ Sep 3rd 2009 4:38PM

brad just fyi you can disable whats new go to settings and you can change it.

Exemplar @ Sep 3rd 2009 11:09AM

So the difference in load times are... split-seconds?

Oh for crying out loud.

Joel_O @ Sep 3rd 2009 3:05PM

I WANT MY PLAYSTATION SPLASH LOGO BACK!!!

just because they got the new slim PS"cheap" they shouldnt have taken out the logo, I still dont understand why Sony would go backwards on a logo (a la PS2) in the first place?! Its not like going back to a PS2 like logo will make people buy it, they should fire who designed the new console look anyway

Joel_O @ Sep 5th 2009 6:39PM

I WANT MY ORIGINAL PLAYSTATION 3 SPLASH LOGO!!!

just because they got the new slim PS"cheap" they shouldnt have taken out the logo, I still dont understand why Sony would go backwards on a logo (a la PS2) in the first place?! Its not like going back to a PS2 like logo will make people buy it, they should fire who designed the new console look anyway

Not until Sony gives us back what we want changed (whatever everyone else is gripping about), or on my part the logo, Im not updating, and I guess I wont be playing my PS3 online, people should boycott and not play online, that should hurt their online revenue to make a voice!