It's utterly agonizing when you find out that you've already maxed out all the free space in your PS3. Thankfully, there's one solution. With the CRGM-BK2 from Century, you can use a SATA HDD and easily hook it up to your console. Find out the details on this accessory after the jump!

80GB of hard disk goodness still not good enough for you? Well, James Yu of CNET Asia has detailed a handy tutorial on how to increase the storage capacity of your PlayStation 3 console.

All you need is an external storage device, a 2.5-inch SATA hard drive and a Philips-head screwdriver, and you're all set. For more information on how to play handyman with your PS3, read the full article!

(Editor's Note: QuickJump QuickPeek just turned 16. Ah, sweet sixteen. Sixteen is definitely a lovely number. For those inclined to all things mathematical, four is the square root of 16. And that's just what we're going to try to get to the bottom of right here. The root of all things gaming. For this week at least. Here again is QuickJump's weekly article dedicated to the un-updated. A week's worth of great news, in bite-sized form!)

So here we are in QuickPeek 16. Last week's edition was pretty jam-packed with hot news items, confirmations, and releases, and there's also been a couple of heated debates between icons in the industry. This week will have you guys feeling good about the little big tiny giants that you have sitting in your living rooms - or handhelds snuggling comfortably in their respective pouches or carrying cases.

This isn't about one platform besting another. It's about shaking hands and welcoming people with open arms. As beauty pageant contestants always put it: World Peace! Because if Mario, Solid Snake, and Sonic can do it, then so can we. Err, that is barring the fact that Mario, Snake, and Sonic are in a Brawling game, but the essential thing remains: they're together.

Click the Full Article link below to check out this week's full issue!

QuickJump QuickPeek 16 originally posted October 13, 2007 at 02:00 PM.

Word is being passed around various internet forums about a new PlayStation 3 SKU with specs that will either make your jaw drop, or raise your eyebrows. It all started when folks found out that Sony Sony registered a certain model labeled CECHG06, similar to the 40GB PS3's CECHG01.

With Sony's mysterious machine in the records, some who claim to be insiders revealed what they stated to be the next PS3 SKU's specs straight from Sony Computer Entertainment International's (SCEI) Japan offices. Here are the details on what's supposed to be a monster package that will be made available in Japan:

• Code: CECHG06 (SPECIFICATION)
• Sony PlayStation 3
• 160gb 2.5 SATA 5400rpm HDD
• CELL Broadband Engine (65nm process) @ 3.2ghz
• PPU x1, SPE x8
• RSX GPU (65nm process) @ 550mhz
• Blu-Ray Optical Disc Drive @ 2x
• Memory Card Reader- Memory Stick Duo, Compact Flash, Secure
• Digital
• 6x USB 2.0 ports
• 2x HDMI 1.3 ports
• 3x Gigabit ethernet ports
• DUALSHOCK 3 controller

As other forum posters would say, six USB ports and two HDMI ports sound a wee bit excessive. According to someone who claims to be an insider, the 20GB PS3 in Japan will be cut off and the 60GB will receive a price cut. There won't be any Japanese 80GB SKUs, so the hardcore would have to look at the hefty 160GB package.

Keep in mind that we are yet to receive any confirmations. While there is indeed a CECHG06 model registered to Sony since September 21, 2007 as listed on Singapore's consumer protection website, the leaked specs are currently without proper credit. We're all ears for any official Sony statements, so watch this space!

A couple of days ago, we featured a video demonstrating Team Xecuter's PS3 Hard Drive Xtender (HDXT). This console accessory allows PlayStation 3 owners to buff up their PS3's internal SATA space with external (and hopefully beefier) hard drive, bet it an IDE or SATA kit.

Now, in case the readers were wondering just how far along the team is on their project, a quick trip to Divineo indicates some good news - the PS3 (HDXT) is now on sale for a sum of US$ 24.95 per unit. In addition to this news, the team has also released a separate Sata to IDE converter, although we're not sure how much this will cost.

We thank Bigbob6383 for the tip!

Kotaku received an interesting pic: PS3 packaging with 80GB slapped on the lid. Even more curious: they're Region 1 boxes - the same Region 1 where Sony Computer Entertainment America's Dave Karraker says "no announcement." (Kotaku IDs these boxes as Canadian-destined PS3,s though).

 

A clever leak? Or clever work with Photoshop? Or is Ashton hiding somewhere? Kotaku's taking it with a grain of salt. We're taking it with a grain of salt. Most people would probably take it with a grain of salt - not to mention to a professional photoanalyst. Maybe the FBI. Extra space is useful - but hey, in that case, the HDD can still be swapped, right?

Hey, Hitachi, where are you guys in the 1TB-2.5" SATA HDD development now?

Well, isn't this a bit of a surprise. Over at PS3scene, Xantium has what looks to be the first pics and video up of Team Xecuter's PS3 Hard Drive Xtender (HDXT) and the IDE to SATA Adapter. Combined with a power source, some technical know-how, and these videos and pics, you'll also be able to install your own HDXT in time. For now however, let's have a look-see at the components.

As you can see above, The pictures show off both the pre-installed and completed make-up of the HDXT installation process. Since there aren't any formal installation procedures yet, you'll have to wait until they release it to the public.

To top it all off here's a video of the proof of concept, showing the formatting of the drive and the enabling of a Seagate 500 GB drive, as well as some additional pics of the HDXT items. Enjoy!

More pictures after the jump!

TechNewsWorld tried hitting Sony for a comment to SCEI spokesperson Satoshi Fukuoka's hinting at larger hard disk drives for the PS3. Result: across the Pacific, Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA)'s Dave Karraker says that they have "no announcement regarding our changes in our PS3 product offering in North America."

Not a denial - just, as far as the official press is concerned, nothing's (officially) happening (yet). It's an on-again, off-again story, mind you.

TechNewsWorld counterpoints the advantages of Sony bumping the provided HDD capacity vis-a-vis the new 120GB proprietary HDD Microsoft's offering in the Xbox 360 Elite (as well as a separate product). It is curious to note, however, that they haven't mentioned anything about what PS3 owners have happily discovered after the Japanese launch: with great care (and RTFM), users can swap the HDD on their own with a commercially available 2.5" SATA drive.

80GB? When the HDD companies finally come out with a 2.5" SATA version of TEH ONE TERABYTE HDD, whose specs will fit the PS3's recommended HDD specs (e.g., drive speed, etc.) - or perhaps just use the PS3 3.5" SATA mod suggested here... now that's an upgrade.

 

We've previously reported on Hyperdrive and Paradox loader">Team Xecuter's PS3 Hyperdrive project, and their much awaited Paradox. Well, here's some more updates on Team Xecuter's plans for the PS3.

According to a recent post over at their forums, it seems that they're listening to the criticism over their designs for the the PS3 Hyperdrive project. So they went back to the drawing board, tweaked the design, and have already gone into production of the new PS3 Hard Drive Xtender (HDXT).

To the right is an image of the new design.

They state that these are the three main goals of the new product:

• To be able to add any SATA or IDE Hard Drive externally to the PS3 - so there was no need for any expensive 2.5" SATA Hard Drive upgrades if the need for a very large hard drive was required in the near future.
• To make the adapter a clean design and pleasing to the eye.
• To be simple and cheap.

The Xecuter PS3 HDXT is a caddy type frame that should plug into the PS3 internally where the 2.5" SATA drive would normally be. All you have to do to is put that in, and then clip on the faceplate, afterwards, you should have a clean external SATA connection.  What's more, they've also designed a simple and cost effective SATA to IDE converter. Using the little thing you can now attach any had drive of your choosing, any way you wish.

If you want to see more of the pictures of their prototype product, our "read" link below should lead to the thread containing said images. Take a gander if you wish.

They hope to have this clean, cheap, and simple product in time for the European PS3 released. They say that they will announce pricing for the thing as soon as they have costings finalized. We'll update you as soon as we get more info on Team Xecuter's plans for the PS3.

So, you're a little lazy to hold on to your PSP. More so, you're running out of batteries and need to charge up. Well, we found a really interesting item that could help you charge up while playing with your PSP. We're talking about Gametech's Stand Charger P+, one that also holds on to your PSP while charging. So it serves a little bit of a cradle, stand, and charger altogether. The Stand Charger P+ costs around US$ 13 and so far, it's only being sold in Japan. But you could bet that your online seller will be grabbing one of these sometime soon. Just keep watch.

Another concern among PS3 owners is switching their HDDs to SATA. Some have tried installing them only to find out that the 3.5 SATA drives are too tight, while the 2.5 are too loose for the PS3. Here's where the PS3 External SATA Adapter - known as PS3 ESATA - comes in. The ESATA Adapter allows you to use external 3.5 inch SATA hardrives instead of your PS3 internal hard drive. According to their tests, the SATA hard drive loads faster by 19 seconds compared to the regular hard drive. It even loads the menu almost 30 seconds faster compared to the regular 60HD.

The full article (with more pics) await after the jump!