Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. said it does not utilize chips made using 65nm process technology in the latest Sony PlayStation 3 game console that is sold for $399 or €399. The console, however, still uses more energy efficient electronics components, which is why the new PS3 model consumes considerably less electricity compared to PlayStation 3 60GB and 80GB models.

Last week it was reported that SCEI installed 65nm versions of the Cell microprocessor as well as RSX graphics chip into the new version of PS3 with 40GB hard drive, which is incompatible with games developed for PlayStation 1 and 2. Additionally, Sony reportedly started to use a new I/O controller (CXD2984GB), a new mainboard revision (SEM-001), different XDR memory chips from Elpida as well as a new cooling system. The new PlayStation 3 uses only 120W – 140W of power, whereas the previous flavours consume from 180W to 200W.

“The new 40GB model still uses 90nm processors. Only in the coming months 65nm chips will be utilized. The enormous energy savings is a result of usage of other electronics components,” a Sony spokesperson is reported to have said in an interview with Heise Online web-site.

Due to the fact that Sony’s PlayStation 3 40GB still uses 90nm central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU), it is unlikely that the new 40GB is considerably less expensive to build than the fully-fledged versions with larger hard disk drives and backwards compatibility. Still, it does not mean that Sony did manage to cut production costs at all.

Sony PlayStation 3 console is based on the Cell processor developed by IBM, Sony and Toshiba, the RSX graphics chip by Nvidia Corp., wireless network and Bluetooth connectivity and is equipped with Blu-ray optical disk drive. There are several versions of the consoles available around the world with 60GB or 80GB hard disk drives and variable compatibility with PlayStation 1/2 games as well as 40GB version that cannot play old games at all. The official price of Sony PlayStation 3 40GB and 80GB in the USA is $399 and $499, respectively.