PS2 Which PS2 fat model you think is the most reliable?

John2011

Member
Can anyone tell me which PS2 fat model is the most reliable and the most versatile one, I heard 39000 series is the best aside from the loud fan, while the 50000 despite having a quieter fan and reads discs faster, actually had a rare mechacon issue which is boobytrapped if you use a scratched discs or a poorly burned disc like the memorax ones.
 
I rather enjoy my 3900x model. I can load Freemcboot with OPL and plenty of other apps to get Snes, Nes, Sega, Playstation, and Portable backups working (usually without too much trouble). Also, it supports Tonyhax but I know the slim models have a better alternative, where you don't have to swap disks. But I believe there's drawbacks to the slim, like it has no network adapter. DVD support is limited to Simple Media System and .divx movies unlike the PS3, but oh well.
 
I have noticed that video signal and/or graphics is a lot better on SCPH 5000x model rather than 3000x.

I connect both consoles using the same video cable to my samsung plasma tv and 5000x models' view of browser menu is a lot sharper than 3000x.

Since I play from HDD I don't care about laser related stuff.

BTW can somebody elaborate why 5000 has better signal or more clearer and readable menu texts?
 
Can anyone tell me which PS2 fat model is the most reliable and the most versatile one, I heard 39000 series is the best aside from the loud fan, while the 50000 despite having a quieter fan and reads discs faster, actually had a rare mechacon issue which is boobytrapped if you use a scratched discs or a poorly burned disc like the memorax ones.


39k isn't more reliable than other models (older or newer)
That was a myth created by modchip installers, because 39k is the easiest fat to install chip into.

and btw, mechacon crash can happen on 39k models too, just happens less...

For digital games (preferrably on HDD) 50k model chassis H (identified by 3.00 DVDPlayer) is rock solid



I have noticed that video signal and/or graphics is a lot better on SCPH 5000x model rather than 3000x.

I connect both consoles using the same video cable to my samsung plasma tv and 5000x models' view of browser menu is a lot sharper than 3000x.

Since I play from HDD I don't care about laser related stuff.

BTW can somebody elaborate why 5000 has better signal or more clearer and readable menu texts?
you notice the better graphics only on browser? or in-games too? if its only on browser, it could be some change on browser. I bet that running HDD-OSD on your 30k will make the OSD look as good as the 50k
 
3900x series are the most reliable consoles, I would not say it's a myth. It's my main console since 8 years. It has read tons of burned games, scratched games, and the combinations of those two. I bought it used already, and from the looks of it it has been used a lot before me. It still had the warranty sticker on it when I bought it, so it still has it's original KHS-400C laser in it from 2002(?). Since then I gave it a deep clean and also cleaned the laser, but god me alone I put 1000s of hours in it and it still works like new, reads every type of discs as of today. 5000x consoles that I have are working fine as well, but one of them gave me headaches already.

On the other hand, I would consider 7xxxx slim consoles to be the worst PS2 consoles you can get. One of them scratched up my discs, and one of them wouldn't read any other disc type than single-layer PS2 games before I got them repaired. Also, they get kind of hot after a time.

So long story short, I have almost every model of PS2s you can get and I tried them all, but I look at my 39004 as an absolute TANK, so I would recommend getting that model or an 5000x.
 
On the other hand, I would consider 7xxxx slim consoles to be the worst PS2 consoles you can get. One of them scratched up my discs, and one of them wouldn't read any other disc type than single-layer PS2 games before I got them repaired. Also, they get kind of hot after a time.
the disc scratching happens on a wide variety of slims. and yes, 70k get hotter, and as long as their thermal pads are healthy, its ok.

so it still has it's original KHS-400C laser in it from 2002(?)
I have ProtoKernel Models with fully functional factory laser, so it's not that surprising. as I said, the other models are good too...


5000x consoles that I have are working fine as well, but one of them gave me headaches already.
Probably the late ones (I or K chassis), those are indeed problematic. 50k with H cassis is rock solid
 
Now I think my favourite model goes to the 3000xR GH-015-xx, probably because I always replaced the old laser with a new laser :)
I would avoid the 390xx model because I'm not good at the 390xx models :(
I'm also good at the 790xx models instead because any 790xx model doesn't scratch original discs :)
 
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I remember one of my first jobs we had no customers, so we brought in a ps2 to play during down-time. I mean for hours we had nothing to do. Sometimes during a 5-6 hour shift one customer would come. We'd just play GTA all day or Madden or something. One of my friends had a ps1 or ps2 installed in his car with a mini-tv.
 
on the 50k its quite easy to determine.

3.00 DVDPlayer: Chassis H
3.02 DVDPlayer: Chassis I
3.04/3.06 DVDPlayer: Chassis K

It makes me already easier to determine:
3.00 (50000/1/2/3/4/10/55000)/3.02 (50005/6/7/8/9) driver: H-chassis
3.02 (50000/1/2/3/4/55000)/3.04 (50011 only) driver: I-chassis
3.03 (50000/4) driver: J-chassis

Notes:
3.06 doesn't exist
3.04 is only found in 50011 models from Mexico
K-chassis has only 3.10 driver

More information at
https://www.psdevwiki.com/ps2/DVD_Player
 
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