✓Why the original PS3s die
The launch PS3s are the most desirable PlayStations ever made — real PS2 hardware inside, four USB ports, card readers. But their 90nm RSX graphics chip runs hot and its solder joints crack with age and heat cycles. The result is the YLOD: three beeps, a yellow light, and a console that won't boot.
A standard reball puts the same failure-prone 90nm chip back in. The Frankenstein conversion removes it for good and installs the 40nm RSX from a later Slim model (CECH-2501 / CECH-3001) — a cooler, proven chip — with the board modifications the swap requires.
→How it works — 5 steps
- Confirm your modelCECHA01, CECHB01 or CECHE01 only. We verify your console qualifies before anything else.
- Board diagnosticWe confirm your board is a good conversion candidate — a dead board can't be saved by a new chip, and we'll tell you straight if that's the case.
- Donor RSX sourcedA tested 40nm RSX is pulled from a Slim donor (CECH-2501 / CECH-3001). We confirm the deposit and your timeline before ordering anything.
- The conversion90nm RSX out, 40nm RSX in, with the supporting board modifications — all under the microscope, at board level.
- Load-tested & returnedYour console is stress-tested with real gameplay before it goes home — PS3 and PS2 titles included, because backwards compatibility is the whole point.
$Price — flat, in writing
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| PS3 Frankenstein conversion — 40nm RSX swap + board modifications, load-tested, 30-day warranty | $599 |
Turnaround is 4–8 weeks — donor parts, board-level conversion and full testing can't be rushed. A deposit is required to start; we confirm the amount and your timeline when you drop off your console.
?Frequently asked questions
Will my PS3 still play PS2 games?
Yes. The conversion changes only the graphics chip — your console's backwards-compatible hardware stays exactly as it was. We test PS2 titles before your console goes home.
Why not just reball my original chip?
Reballing reinstalls the same 90nm RSX that already failed once — it can fail again the same way. The Frankenstein replaces it with the 40nm chip that doesn't have the defect. For a console worth keeping, it's the permanent fix. If you'd still prefer a reball, we offer that too — $250.
Why does it take 4–8 weeks?
A tested donor RSX has to be sourced, the conversion is delicate board-level work, and every console is fully load-tested before it leaves. It's specialist work, done in the order consoles arrive.
My PS3 is a Slim or a later Fat (CECHH01, CECHK01...). Can it be converted?
No — the Frankenstein only applies to the backwards-compatible A01, B01 and E01 models. Other models with YLOD are candidates for a standard reball instead — ask us and we'll check yours.
Is there a warranty?
Yes — the conversion is backed by our 30-day warranty.
We got it!
We'll contact you shortly to confirm your console qualifies.
Bringing your PS3 in? We're at:
Cell Phone Ninja
8421 S Orange Blossom Trail
Suite 103
Orlando, FL 32809
Mon–Sat 10 AM–6 PM · (407) 988-7356