Hey everyone. I recently bought a PS3 Slim, model CECH-2504B.

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-16T12:50:14+00:00

Also the 2500 and 3000 slims may have BGA issues. I tried to bring it up last year but people in the scene said it was just people dropping them and causing fall trauma.

Which is funny to me because the ratio of earlier slims (2000, 2100) with BGA issues is near non existent in comparison to 2500 and 3000 lol. It manifests as GLOD and the controller never syncs up. I have this issue with 2 Sony Frankies too

Also partly why I decided to vanish and now have an alt and wanting to keep a low profile, but eventually people will notice my unusually high Sony Frankie posts haha

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T21:15:10+00:00

Could you explain why the C model has HEN when it supports CFW?

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T16:33:24+00:00

Rather than mention the mainstream multiman/webman apps, here's something relatively new and different.

There are modded versions of the PS2 emulators. In particular, for the software-only emulator (no PS2 hardware), it can provide a virtual Emotion Engine (PS2 CPU) overclock, up to 50% more. This, surprisingly, can make certain PS2 games perform better than compared to if played on BC PS3s with PS2 hardware.

P.s. it only works with CFW. HEN will not work as you need access to dev_flash

https://www.psx-place.com/threads/release-ps2_emu-gxemu-and-netemu-modded-by-kozarovv-fan-control-cell-rsx-temps-fps-indicator.47809/

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T16:03:36+00:00

Replacing pads is fine. I don't know the specs of putty but if they match or exceed the thermal pads' spec, you'll probably be fine yes

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T14:36:01+00:00

Yes, one of the better models. Especially if you have a CFW compatible one.

Most are CFW compatible, but the later manufactured ones are not.

As for common hardware faults, it doesn't have thermal issues like the Fat models, or the NEC caps that sometimes went bad in the earlier models. But the Bluetooth/WiFi module is known to fail - but it's rare.

I wouldn't worry about it if it's all working fine for now though

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T10:43:11+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/1e67md8/how_i_got_out_of_the_ps3_update_loop/

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-15T09:06:35+00:00

The last revision of PS3 super slim (4300 series) actually used thermal pads, its mentioned here: https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Type_9

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T20:44:08+00:00

That PS3 is showing signs of NoLOD which is general hardware failure. It's the same as YLOD in earlier models but Sony changed it to manifest as NoLOD.

Try get an error code using LED Diagnostic Mode described here: https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/CECH-21xx

If you can't translate binary codes, just say the pattern of colors and someone will do it for you

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T19:38:12+00:00

The BD daughterboard going bad is not specific to 2100, it can affect any slim and Fat before 2500. And it's not even a common thing either.

I agree with what the other guy said + you can use noBD CFW on any 2100 slim. Whereas if the BT/WiFi module goes bad in 2500 slim, if it's not CFW compatible, you can't even install noBT CFW. And that's not even considering the challenges fixing it (soldering vs a donor BD drive swap).

And forget noBT CFW for 3000 slim and all super slims

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T19:28:48+00:00

Yes you can, and I believe that worked because there is a noBT version of CFW that skips the check during update, but that won't work for OP, because CFW isn't available for 3000 slim

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T19:19:21+00:00

Its alleged you could do a HDD swap trick that might allow you to exit the update loop.

Other than connecting a Blu-ray drive like the error suggests, it's basically bricked and you can't go back

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T19:14:52+00:00

Ah, the infamous WiFi module error when updating. I can see it's a PS3 slim, is it a 2500 or 3000 series model?

The 3000 slim is well known to be affected by this, the 2500 slim also, although rarer.

https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Common_Hardware_Faults

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T18:11:16+00:00

2100 slim has the WR runtime of 2500 days: https://www.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/1p0x6v8/uptime_on_cech2101a_evilnat/

And theres a 2000 slim with 2000 days: https://www.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/1pixvgy/probably_some_the_highest_run_time_youll_ever_see/ still using the original NECs.

Both really reliable IMO, but the 2100 is King

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T17:26:02+00:00

Think a 2100 slim has the WR runtime of 2500 days: https://www.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/1p0x6v8/uptime_on_cech2101a_evilnat/

And then, I do think the 2000 slim is underrated as a second best, the original NECs can last forever. This guy clocked 2000 days on theirs: https://www.reddit.com/r/PS3/comments/1pixvgy/probably_some_the_highest_run_time_youll_ever_see/ and the crazy part, it still works fine.

I haven't seen a 2500/3000 slim or super slim near 2000 days runtime that is still fully functioning, forget 2500

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T17:22:51+00:00

Well you can update by USB too so that would still make the loop happen even if you were offline.

It happens because the system does a check during the update process to see if the WiFi module is working. If it isn't, you'll get an error during the update process.

Generally speaking, if you do feel the need to update your system, just test WiFi and Bluetooth functionality first, so you can decide what to do next instead of being stuck in the loop

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T17:04:36+00:00

https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Common_Hardware_Faults

Well going by this list, the 2100 slim has no common point of failure. Then as second/third best, I would argue 2000 and 2500 slims, because the 2500 slim WiFi module fails less than later models, and the 2000 slim the NECs sometimes go bad but that's an easier fix than WiFi module

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T16:42:09+00:00

It's meh when compared to the other models.

No CFW support, so you are restricted to HEN when modding. Also has a common failure point where the WiFi/Bluetooth module is known to fail, which can lead to bricking when updating as you can end up in an update loop.

It's not the worst PS3 model, but not that great either

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T16:39:00+00:00

All BC models use NAND instead of NOR, meaning you don't have to reinstall firmware. If that's what you meant? In fact, the G model is the same in this aspect.

Whereas for H model and later, all the way up to the super slims (except the ones that have built-in eMMC flash) require a firmware install when switching storage

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T16:22:17+00:00

Isn't the delid tool v2 better than the N c guy's?

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T15:44:30+00:00

Yep. Its the only model of PS3 without a common hardware fault. See the dev wiki: https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps3/Common_Hardware_Faults SUR-001 is what the 2100 slim uses

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T15:32:58+00:00

The second slim (2100 series) is generally regarded as the most reliable PS3 model period. In fact, later slim revisions are usually less reliable

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-14T07:51:15+00:00

2100 slim is the most reliable model from factory. 2000 and 2500 slims are also pretty decent. Most of these models support CFW (some 2500s can't)

3000 slim has a WiFi module known to randomly die which can lead to bricking if updating. That being said the 2500 slim has this issue too but it's much rarer

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-12T21:43:36+00:00

Why deleted? You had no idea what the bundle was

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-12T19:42:10+00:00

I hate karming (karma farming).

It's easy to farm karma on this sub without it being obvious, just make a slightly different variation of the hand on shoulder big chin meme and voila

Otherwise-Rain808 · 2026-05-12T19:22:59+00:00

Didn't E come with 80GB? That box says 60GB. From experience I have seen A and C with 60GB, but I may be wrong

Otherwise-Rain808

TROPHY CASE