Opinion: 130GB extra worth $50?

[Tek7]

I hope to get a PS3 Slim before the year is out. One of my few remaining questions is: Is it worth the extra $50 to get the 250GB Slim model instead of the 120GB?

I plan on using the console as a media center and for media streaming from my Windows XP-based desktop (mostly to play fansubbed anime, which these days usually comes in 720p MKV files). I may copy video to the PS3 hard drive, but I'll probably just stream it over the network or from an external hard drive (IF the PS3 can read from a NTFS-formatted external drive).

I have a 12Mb Internet connection, so I plan on downloading demos for any games that catch my eye. I also plan on picking up at least a few Playstation Network games as soon as I get the console home, connected to the Internet, and updated.

I also plan on using Home and other fun free online stuff.

So what do you all think? How fast does 120GB go? How many games require hard drive installs? And is doubling the storage capacity worth an extra $50?

 

[ewoksrule]

I would almost have to pass on the extra GB just out of principal. $50 can get you 1tb now and only giving 130gb is wrong. (xbox is even worse here)

I only have 20gb on my xbox and even at the height of my console gaming that was fine. I just only had 2 games running off the HD at a time and still had room for a grip of demos. I did constantly have to make room for things, but I always found something I was not playing and could re-download if I ever wanted to.

I know that your current status is Total Money Management like mine, so my vote to save the $50 for a game and not worry about the lazy convenience of more GB.


EDIT...just for example, here is a great samsung 1TB drive for $54

 

[RyanB]

Ewoks has it...at the very least you can get a 320gb drive for $50. I put this in a few months ago:
http://www.amazon.com/Western-Digit...1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279484971&sr=8-1

If you click on the $500gb, it's only $10 more...and I'm sure you could find a better deal. Would definitely recommend getting an upgrade at some point...I already have my drive about half full because I like to download pretty much every demo (which I don't get to right away), video, install, etc. Plus now that I have PSN+...that's adding even more burden on the ol' drive, hehe. Will have to clean up soon.

I think you'll be fine with a 120GB for a little while, and if you have an external hard drive that can hold the 120GB (must be FAT32!), backing up/restoring for a new drive install is very trivial. Note: not using the backup utility means copying files one at a time, and some saves can't even be copied this way. So I'd say that if you're looking to upgrade and don't have a USB drive to store to, upgrade sooner rather than later.

 

[Keero]

I'm using a 80gig pre-price drop fatty PS3 and I have no issues with space even with leftover game installs, 8~10 CD album rips, and a handful of demos/saves.

As for your needs, I say save that extra 50 bucks and put it towards another game or two of these. You can always delete and replace data as needed.

 

[Kendrik]

Be ye warned, 120GB can go fast. I started putting videos galore on my 80GB PS3 (darn those training video series), and those add up fast. If you're into data and media storage, then an upgrade is worthwhile. Frankly, if I could have a huge collection of fansubbed anime at my fingertips and ready to go on my PS3, I'd do it.

I'm a fan of being cost-conscious, but when I have the cash ready for a large HDD upgrade, I'll be doing it.

But buying a 250GB unit from Sony makes me go "nuh uh." Manual upgrade is way cheaper, and I know you're plenty able to do the dirty work.

Edit: You will need to make sure that it's a 2.5" SATA drive at 5400 or 7200 for it to work. I think that's the case, anyway.

 

[RyanB]

Edit: You will need to make sure that it's a 2.5" SATA drive at 5400 or 7200 for it to work. I think that's the case, anyway.

Yup, 2.5" SATA. Really helps if you have an external drive to back up to first so you can use the backup/restore in the ps3 menu.