We all know that an SSD is one of the most effective upgrades for a computer system, but what about for a console? It turns out that putting an SSD inside a PlayStation 3 has similar performance benefits too!
Phil, a member of the Beyond3D forum, installed a Corsair F120 SSD into his PlayStation 3 to see if it would do anything to improve the loading times of Gran Turismo 5 – and did it ever.
Wait times due to loading were in some cases cut down to half. Here is the chart that Phil made showing an old PS3 "fat" model with an SSD as compared to a PS3 Slim with the stock HDD. Given that the new PS3 Slim units tend to load faster than the old PS3 "fat" units, the effect of the SSD is quite significant.
Another test by forum poster civicgsir on GTPlanet saw his Gran Turismo 5 install (plus update) finish in 25 minutes – which normally takes 42 minutes – thanks to an OCZ Vertex 60GB.
Even with the hefty install from Blu-ray Disc to hard disk drive, which is supposed to aid in load times, Gran Turismo 5's excruciatingly lengthy loading of files from the disk is enough to have enthusiasts reaching for SSDs. We don't blame them – after all, we want SSDs in everything.
