Today I had the pleasure of fully refurbishing a beloved CECHA01 NTSC Backwards Compatible PS3 for a client. He wanted all of the bells and whistles,so here are some pics of the process.

First step was to dismantle the console and remove the current 90nm RSX,ready for the Frankenstein 65nm RSx to be installed

I also logged the syscon to see it’s current error log and to check out the uptime of the console

After removing the RSX it is time to delid the CELL and clean up the pads for the new RSX

Next step is to replace the NEC caps,only one side of the board is required in this process.

Another component that fails on these old inits is the “misc power” rail filtering capacitors. I replace these also to prevent the YLOD

Time to reflow the 65nm RSX back to the board

The next step is to do the required resistor modifications so as the system can utilise the new RSX

Next! Clean up the heatsinks and IHS’s and apply new paste

Another step to allow the system to see and use the new RSX is to adjust the Syscon via prompt

Next is to apply paste to the die’s and reassemble the unit to test it all went well and that we have picture with the new RSX

Success,system boots and runs nice and cool

I also replaced the standard APS-226 PSU that was installed with a much cooler running APS-231 power supply

Job done! All in all, another great refurb job to another awesome backwards compatible PS3