Mysterious PS3 motherboard

[edepot]

While trying to catalog all the different PS3 motherboards, I came across a mysterious one. I think it fits one of the pieces of missing motherboard pics, but am not sure if it is a VERY EARLY PROTOTYPE of the PS3. The picture is below:

mysterious ps3 motherboard

ps3.jpg (46.53 KB) Viewed 4402 times

Note that this pic is the back of the PS3 motherboard, and has two protruding round pegs, as opposed to CECHH and later PS3 motherboards that have two square pegs. In addition, there is a large corner missing in the motherboard, which indicates it is one of the earlier models. I am guessing it is the back of the CECHG motherboard (a motherboard that I do not have pics of). Either that, or it is a very early prototype. Differentiating features (a squarish yellow outline near the bottom right of the pic) support this hypothesis.

Also, note that there are some wires connected to the motherboard. Could that be a JIG? Allowing motherboard probing? Or is that some sort of regular connection that has yet to be connected? In any case I hope people who have the CECHG or CECHE take a look at the back of their motherboard to see if it matches the pic above. If it does NOT match, then this is the first pic of a prototype motherboard (the back side).

http://www.edepot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1376 contains a catalog of known PS3 motherboards. You can use that link to do investigation of unknown motherboards.

[pwnsweet]

This is, without question, a CECHG motherboard. I know because I have one. The CECHG had a cheaper version (2 heatpipes instead of 5) of the original cooling system that is in the first PS3's. As far as I know, this cooling design was ONLY in the CECHG. All previous models had the 5 heatpipe design/aluminium fan enclosure with alu fins and all subsequent models (starting with the CECHH) use the smaller and in my opinion, worse, dual aluminium heatsink design with black plastic fan enclosure and no alu fins.

The cable you are talking about is the cable that goes from the power supply to the motherboard. They have removed the end that comes from the PSU and left the other end connected to the motherboard. Also, my PS3 also has the two round power plug prongs as seen in the mysterious motherboard photo.

My PS3 (you have my permission to reuse and resize these pictures):

CECHG

[M AzeeM K]

I have also been looking at many pictures of PS3 motherboards, but none of them resemble this one, especially the two prongs.

So, any luck with more details about this motherboard ?

[idone]

Looks to have only 2 usb ports, so i'd throw out very early prototype.

[edepot]

Thank you for the pics. The mystery has been solved. The mysterious motherboard IS a CECHG.

I've updated the Motherboard Evolution thread and you can see the motherboard at:
http://www.edepot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1376#p2344

Perhaps someone can provide a more detailed pic of the back of the CECHG motherboard. You will be credited at:

http://www.edepot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=1365

Speaking of the above thread, I found that a lot of websites started copying that list after I compiled it, and did not even provide a credit (not even a link back!). Took me a long time to compile it, but at least it serves a greater purpose now.


Here are smaller versions of the newly submitted pics in this thread (too bad the back side was not provided):

cechg2

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cechg3

y1pGIL5KJ2_MdlykgFWZIk_da2_sy55as37r45Kk0O7ORtAyV4lPSjuPDSGGAeVp67TnrnWvnAEm9gsjEo9kPRXxg.jpg (110.28 KB) Viewed 2261 times

cechg1

cechga.jpg (116.35 KB) Viewed 2249 times