How to Chip a PS3

The PlayStation 3 may be a powerful video game console, but users never stop wishing the operating system could do more than Sony allows. Installing a special chip into the PS3 will alter the operating system so that programs and games designed by other PS3 gamers can be used on the console. This installation, or “chipping” is not illegal to do to your own PS3, although installing the chip will void Sony’s warranty. You will need to purchase a mod chip from a PS3 supply shop and be proficient in using a soldering iron to "chip" the video game console.

Put the soft cloth on a table. Disconnect all cables from the PS3. Put it down on the soft cloth. Insert the flat-head screwdriver into the seam of the hard drive compartment lid on the right side. Wiggle the compartment lid free of the case.

Use the Torx screwdriver to remove the screw from inside of the hard drive compartment. Pull the metal latch outwards. Pull the hard drive out of the hard drive compartment.

Turn the PS3 face down on the soft cloth. Pull up on the rubber feet using the flat-head screwdriver. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws from under the rubber feet. Turn the PS3 back right side up.

Slide the outer shell of the PS3 off to the right. Use the Torx screwdriver to remove the exposed screws at the back of the PS3. Pull the outer shell up and off the bottom of the PS3.

Remove the screws from around the Blu-ray drive with the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. LIft the Blu-ray drive up off the bottom case and remove the power plug and the ribbon connector attached to its back. Use the Phillips jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws around the Wi-Fi antenna at the uppermost left side of the bottom case. Lift up on the Wi-Fi antenna and pull the cable off the motherboard.

Remove the power supply by unscrewing it from the right side of the bottom case using the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. Lift it up and pull off the two connectors from the back by squeezing each at both sides first.

Remove the power eject switch at the front of the motherboard by unscrewing it with the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. Turn the PS3 right side up. Use the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver to remove the screws that have arrows placed next to them. Use the flat-head screwdriver to remove the tabs at the back panel. Pull the back panel off.

Remove the fan connector from the fan. Unscrew the fan from the bottom case using the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. Release the battery by inserting the flat-head jeweler's screwdriver beneath it and pulling up. Remove the screws from around the hard drive using the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. Lift the hard drive up and disconnect the ribbon connector and the power connector from the back.

Remove the screws holding the metal heat sink to the motherboard using the Phillips-head jeweler's screwdriver. Pull off the heat sink. Pull the motherboard up and out and of the bottom case. Turn the motherboard face down and put it on the soft cloth. Release the tabs holding the metal shield to the motherboard. Remove the motherboard. Turn the motherboard face up and put it down on the soft cloth.

Apply solder to the contact points on the bottom of the mod chip. Quickly place the mod chip over the CPU chip on the motherboard (the CPU is the smaller of the two black chips on the right side of the motherboard) so that it lines up with the contacts on the top corners of the CPU. Press the mod chip down. Apply a bit more solder carefully to the connections between the mod chip and the CPU chip. Let the solder cool.

Reassemble the motherboard and put it into the bottom case. Reattach the back panel. Reassemble the hard drive, power supply, Wi-Fi antenna, power eject switch and the Blu-ray drive into the bottom case. Reassemble the PS3.