Sony has begun using a 40nm RSX GPU in place of the previous 65nm chip on its PlayStation 3, reportedly allowing the company to finally turn a buck. When the console first launched in 2006, Sony was losing between $241 and $307 per unit. It wasn't until the company released the Slim model that it claimed profitability was on the horizon, and it seems that time has come.
In addition to padding Sony's pocket, the new silicon offers a variety of benefits, such as lower power consumption and operating temperatures. It also boosts the systems durability, according to PlayStation University. "Though the Yellow Light of Death is not as common on PS3 Slims, the RSX's new chip size will also reduce such risks, making the new model more reliable."
Based on the site's numbers, the latest PS3 model (CECH-2100A) decreases power usage levels by around 15% over the 120GB PS3 Slim – both offer dramatic improvements over the original 60GB PS3. Given its lower thermal envelope, power and cooling apparatus can be scaled down. CECH-2100A's power supply and cooling unit weigh around 167g less than the Slim's.