Memory for PS3, the repair and upgrade hub for PlayStation 3 hard drive and SSD swaps at ZedLabz.
Browse PS3 storage and accessories
Every PS3 takes a 2.5-inch SATA drive. The Fat (CECH-A through CECH-K) uses a removable HDD bay on the side, the Slim (CECH-2000 / 2500 / 3000) hides it behind a small flap on the front, and the Super Slim (CECH-4000) keeps the drive in a special bay under a slide-out door. Replacing the drive frees up storage and, for SSDs, can shave a few seconds off load times, though the PS3's internal SATA controller is SATA II, so the speed gain is modest compared to a modern PC. Reformatting and a system restore are required after the swap.
Quick picks by chassis
- Easy entry point: a 500GB 2.5-inch SATA HDD as a like-for-like upgrade. Most affordable, plenty of space for a full library.
- The crowd favorite: a 1TB 2.5-inch HDD, the sweet-spot capacity for PS3 owners who want headroom without paying for SSD speeds the SATA II bus can't fully use.
- The pro choice: a 2.5-inch SATA SSD (typically 256GB or 500GB), modest load-time improvement, near-silent operation, and longer expected life than a spinning drive.
The PS3 storage swap ladder
- Back up your data: PS3 system backup to USB. The drive swap wipes everything; back up first.
- Open the drive bay: Fat: blue thumbscrew on the left side. Slim: flap on the front. Super Slim: slide door on top with a Phillips screw.
- Swap the drive: same 2.5-inch SATA caddy carries to the new drive. Phillips PH00 screws.
- Format the new drive: power on, follow the system prompt to format. Then run a system restore from your USB backup.
- Reinstall games or saves: PSN downloads can be re-downloaded; disc games install themselves on first run.
Worldwide tracked delivery. Returns and replacements per our returns policy.
Related collections
PS3 memory. FAQs
Can I put an SSD in a PS3?
Yes, any 2.5-inch SATA SSD fits the same caddy as the original HDD. Real-world load-time gains are modest because the PS3's internal SATA bus is SATA II (3 Gb/s); the SSD's full speed isn't reachable. Most owners report a few seconds saved on game loads and notably quieter operation.
What size hard drive can a PS3 take?
Any 2.5-inch SATA drive that fits the depth of the caddy. Most PS3 owners use 500GB to 2TB drives; very tall (12.5mm+) drives may not fit the Slim or Super Slim caddy. Check drive thickness against the chassis spec before ordering.
Will I lose my saves swapping the PS3 hard drive?
Yes, unless you back up first. Use Settings > System Settings > Backup Utility to back up to a USB drive before the swap, then run Restore on the new drive after formatting. Trophy data, save games, downloaded titles and settings all carry across.
Why upgrade a PS3 hard drive?
The original drives shipped with PS3s are now over a decade old; mechanical wear is a real risk. Upgrading to a fresh drive replaces a wearing part and frees up space for game installs and downloaded content. SSDs additionally remove the spinning-disc noise and help with thermal headroom on Fat chassis.
