PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 boxes - Front

In 2004, Sony redesigned the PlayStation 2’s case and dramatically reduced its size.

The PlayStation 3’s box is significantly larger than the slimline PlayStation 2’s box.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 boxes - Side

The difference in box size is even more noticeable from the side.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Front

According to Sony’s Playstation.com Web site, the PlayStation 3’s approximate dimensions are 325mm (W) x 98mm (H) x 274mm (D). The much smaller PlayStation 2 measures in at 230 mm (W) x 28 mm (H) x 152 mm (D).

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Front (wide)

Both the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 owe much of there size to the 120mm diameter optical discs that both use as their primary game media. The PS2 uses a pop-up drive (where the case serves as the disc cover), while the PS3 uses a slot-loading drive.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Side

The slimline PlayStation 2 is less than half the PlayStation 3’s thickness. While the PlayStation 3 is designed to sit flat and upright, the PlayStation 2 requires a special stand (sold separately) to sit upright.

PlayStation 2 weight

According to our handy postal scale, the redesigned PlayStation 2 weighs approximately 1 3/4 pounds. Sony’s Playstation.com Web site, listed the PS2’s approximate weight at 900g (1.98 pounds).

PlayStation 3 weight

In contrast to the lightweight PlayStation 2, our 60GB HDD PlayStation 3 tipped the scale at around 11 pounds. Our scale only goes to 10, so I’m guessing here. According the Sony’s Playstation.com Web site, the PS3 weighs approximately 5kg (11.02 pounds).

AV Cables

Unfortunately, Sony hasn’t really changed the PlayStation’s standard AV cable.

The PS3’s AV cable will produce an image at 480i resolution. The S VIDEO Cable (sold separately) will also produce a 480i image. The Component AV Cable (sold separately) will produce 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i images. The HDMI Cable will produce 1080p, 1080i, 720p, and 480p images.

Solid information on the PlayStation 2’s video capability was a little more difficult to find. From the data that I could find, the PlayStation 2 can produce both 480i and 480p images depending on the game and cables (standard AV or component).

DUALSHOCK 2 and SIXAXIS controllers - Top

My biggest disappointment with the PlayStation 3 is the controller. Unlike Nintendo’s truly unique Wii Remote, the PS3’s SIXAXIS controller (right) is nearly identical in shape and feel to the PlayStation 2’s DUALSHOCK 2 controller (left). The SIXAXIS controller is wireless and does have some motion sensing capability, but the buttons and overall experience is very similar.

DUALSHOCK 2 and SIXAXIS controllers - Front

The trigger buttons on the SIXAXIS controller (right), have been slightly redesigned compared to the DUALSHOCK 2 controller (left).

DUALSHOCK 2 and SIXAXIS controllers - Side

PlayStation 2 power adapter (left) and PlayStation 3 power cord (right)

When Sony redesigned the PlayStation 2’s case in 2004, they switched from an internal power supply to an external power adapter–shown on the left. Unlike the Wii and Xbox 360, the PlayStation 3 uses an internal power supply which requires a significant amount of case real estate.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Case top removed

Despite the dramatic size difference between the slimline PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3, the general internal layout is quite similar. Both optical drives are located on the left side. Both mainboards are located beneath the other internal components. The PS2 and PS3 power buttons are located on the front panels’ left side. The memory and controller ports are located on the front panels’ right side.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Case top removed (side-by-side)

The PlayStation 3’s self-contained Blu-Ray drive and internal power supply take up a tremendous amount of internal space. In contrast, the PlayStation 2’s CD/DVD drive is mounted directly to one of the unit’s metal shields and the power adapter has been move outside the case.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Case top removed (side)

The slimline PlayStation 2 is less than half the height of the PlayStation 3.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Case top removed (stacked)

PlayStation 2 and PlayStation 3 optical drive are roughly the same size

This is one of my favorite comparison shots.–the PlayStation 2 sitting on top of the PlayStation 3’s Blu-Ray drive.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Metal shielding, cooling system, and mainboards

The PlayStation 3’s metal shielding (right) is dominated by the massive cooling system.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Cooling fans removed

Even with the fan removed, the PlayStation 3’s cooling system covers most of the metal shield it’s mounted to.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Cooling systems

The PlayStation 2’s cooling system (front) consists of little more than a few fins and a small fan. In contrast, the PlayStation 3’s massive cooling unit, contains a large metal and plastic housing, copper tubing, and fins.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Cooling fans

The PlayStation 3’s massive colling fan (left) dwarfs the PlayStation 2’s tiny fan.

PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive and PlayStation 2 top metal shield

As I mentioned earlier in this gallery, the slimline PlayStation 2’s CD/DVD drive (right) is mounted directly to the top metal shield. Removing the top of the PS2’s case completely exposes the drive’s laser and drive mechanism. The PlayStation 3’s self-contained Blu-Ray drive (left) is larger than the PS2’s entire top metal shield.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Mainboards top (side-by-side)

The slimline PlayStation 2’s mainboard (left) is much smaller than the PlayStation 3’s mainboard (right). The original PlayStation 2 mainboard was larger than the current slimeline version. During the PS2’s 2004 redesign, Sony consolidated several mainboard components to dramatically reduce the unit size.

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Mainboards top (stacked)

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - CPUs and GPUs

The slimeline PlayStation 2’s Emotion Engine (CPU) and Graphics Synthesizer (GPU) are combined into a single chip. The PlayStation 3’s uses IBM’s Cell Broadband Engine (CPU), a Cell Broadband Engine companion chip (located just above the CPU), and Nvidia’s RSX Reality Synthesizer (main GPU).

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Mainboards bottom (side-by-side)

PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 2 - Mainboards bottom (stacked)

PlayStation 2 mainboard and the PlayStation 3 Blu-Ray drive

This is one of my favorite comparison pictures. After six years of refinements and a major redesign, Sony has made the PlayStation 2’s motherboard smaller than the PlayStation 3’s Blu-Ray drive.