PS3 500GB CECHC03 Stripped, Cleaned, MX‑4 Thermal Paste – PlayStation 3.

What you will get:

- PS3 Backwards Compatible 500GB CECHC03 

- 1x Official Sony Sixaxis Controller 

- 1x Power Cable 

- 1x Controller Charging Cable 

- 1x HDMI Cable 

This listing is for the highly sought after CECHC03 Model which has backwards compatibility with PS1 & PS2 games.

Many early PS3 units suffered from overheating because Sony set the fan to activate only at 75°C, causing the consoles to run too hot and often leading to YLOD. For these backwards‑compatible models, it’s important to keep temperatures below 70°C. The syscon fan curve has been modified to help keep the console  under this threshold. Because the modification is at syscon level, the improved fan behaviour works with PS1, PS2, and PS3 games, unlike CFW-based fan control.

The console has been thoroughly tested and runs extremely cool. It was stress‑tested for 1.25 hours at a room temperature of 28°C  on Tuesday 7th July using a demanding game (GTA V). The temps stablized within 20 minutes and after 1.25 hours of play, the temperatures were as follows:

- CPU: 62°C 

- RSX: 61°C 

- Fan speed: Never exceeded 30% 

These temperatures are extremely good for this model especially in the summer ay 28°C so you can expect it to run quieter/cooler most of the year. Please see image 3 for proof of this.  I also tested it with Call of Duty Advanced Warfare for over 30 mins, a less demanding game overall but one that stresses the console like no other game in terms of load profile and temps were as follows (see image 4):

- CPU: 63°C 

- RSX: 62°C 

- Fan speed: Never exceeded 28% 

Finally, I tested it with God of War III (PS3) for over 1 hour and 50 minutes, one of the most demanding games on the PlayStation 3, and the temperatures were as follows (see image 5):

CPU: 63°C

RSX: 66°C

Fan speed: Never exceeded 30%

As these consoles approach 20 years old, many have never been serviced and are often filled with dust and dried thermal paste, even if they look clean externally. The original Sony paste is now long expired and ineffective.

This console and controller have been fully stripped and cleaned. The console has been delidded, and new Arctic MX‑4 thermal paste has been applied to both the CPU and GPU. All plastic parts were washed in hot soapy water and fully dried. Metal and electronic components were cleaned with 99.9% isopropyl alcohol. See image 2  for evidence of the delidding and thermal paste application. As expected for a console of this age, the casing may show light cosmetic wear.

Please see the images for the exact condition of the console and included items.

The PS3 comes with a 500GB hard drive, providing ample storage for games, media, and downloads.

Shipping is fully tracked via Royal Mail Tracked 24, and all items will be securely packaged to prevent damage during transit. Orders placed before 3pm will be dispatched the same day.

Any questions, feel free to ask.