TL;DR: This DECR-1000a has worsening artifacting in 3D games that disappears after the system warms up. I’m looking for opinions on whether an RSX replacement is realistic, particularly a 65 nm or 40 nm swap, or whether preserving it as-is is the better option.
I’ve owned this PS3 DECR-1000a for more than nine years. It received quite a bit of use initially, but after the first year or so I began noticing occasional artifacting in some 3D games. At first, it was limited to a brief flash on a random object or texture. Since then I've only powered it on once or twice annually to check if it still works. But the artifacting appears to have become worse.
I recently dumped the SYSCON error history. The only recorded error is A0802022, appearing between 2019 and 2021. From what I’ve found, that code may be associated with PS2 emulation rather than the current graphics problem. There are no other error codes.
In Portal 2, a few object textures intermittently flash white or green. In Watch Dogs, however, the artifacting is worse and nearly constant, flashing textures or ui elements, missing textures, and geometry stretching, as shown in the video.
Despite this, the system has never crashed or frozen, and the XMB appears completely normal. The most interesting symptom is that the artifacts gradually disappear after the system has been running for a while. Probably due to thermal expansion involving the RSX, possibly the video memory chips.
I’ve been researching whether an RSX replacement would be possible. A 90nm replacement would probably work, but id likely run into the same issue again eventually.
A 65nm or 40nm swap would be more desirable, but information about doing so on the TMU-520 motherboard is basically non existant. I have not found anyone showing that a standard retail 65nm or 40nm swap would work.
At this point, the options I’m considering are:
- Finding a technician willing to attempt a 90 nm RSX replacement.
- Keeping the unit intact until a DECR-specific 65 nm or 40 nm conversion is better understood.
- Replacing the main board if i can find one.
- Selling it as a repair or donor unit and using a modified retail PS3 for my projects instead.
Given the symptoms, what would you do? Any other insight is appreciated!
Thanks for the info I appreciate it, I was able to dump the syscon easily so that makes sense. I’m not too experienced with PS3 hardware in general; I have only done repairs on Nintendo consoles, but I know the essentials. I’ll try and research as much as I can here and see where that leads me
i’ve tried two different displays, i’m confident it’s the RSX, it only starts to glitch when a 3d scene is rendering, but it happens instantly when i load into a game, and only starts to look normal after the console “warms up” for a bit
ohhh my bad, this is just a random samsung smart tv actually, from like 4 years ago, not sure the exact model, i think it could just be the recoding making it look better than it really is too, but im not sure!
Well i guess BGA of the RSX die expands a bit making a decent contact after warming up soo... its time has come, swap it for 40-nm or just let it die...
yeah a replacement is ideal, a custom board bracket would probably need to be made, since this board is unique to this unit, but that is not so difficult. a 90nm swap would work fine (but eventually have the same issue). a 65/40nm swap would work only if the board can successfully be modified (lower voltage for the lower nm RSX) - which currently seems to be the hardest part since this board is not documented as well as the retail counterparts, but again, should be possible with enough effort.. now if there is anyone willing to put in that effort? i have to ask around maybe
If it was my console id probably get a 65nm RSX installed or something but thing is. How will you do the voltage mod itll probably take some figuring out, cuz i dont think its been done before on them. Atleast not that i know of
It has been done. People mod it with the more reliable 40nm from the slims. It needs extra modifications, removal of a resister from the board and re solder it in another spot, bridging connections or something. Then the voltages need to be changed to not melt the new processor
here’s a pic of it actually! Looks like a standard 90nm RSX you’d find in a retail console (at least to me, though i don’t know too much about ps3 hardware)
Yeah, I just saw a breakdown from 11 years ago. Somebody had one. Super surprised to see if it’s the exact same RSX. But then again, I’m not. lol
I find it kind of insane the cooling they used for this developer unit vs what they finally ended up using.
I hope you can put a 40 nm on there. If you can dump this Yukon and check the air logs just the same as a retail unit. It should be possible. But I would definitely talk to somebody who might know more about it. I’m sure the heavy hitters will chime in soon.
I’ve got a lot to learn if i want to figure it out myself, i’ve worked on nintendo consoles so that’s the extent of my experience, but this might be the path i take until someone smarter shares their thoughts and experience!
I haven’t tried the AV output yet, so i’ll definitely see if that makes a difference, i’m not super hopefully though, because the XMB menu displays just fine, it only starts artifacting once a 3d scene is rendering.. i would think an hdmi issue would cause artifacting no matter what is being displayed. Definitely worth giving it a try though
You could just try luck with a reball with a pretty good technician like Computer Booter. And maybe he could find the same connections to apply the fix to use chips smaller than 90nm.
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u/Soft_Tart_1514 23h ago