PS3 finally ready to yield profit for each sold

As recently as February, Sony was still losing around $18 per every PlayStation 3 sold. A whole three and a half years after the console's November 2006 launch, it appears that a new component will finally allow for a profit to be made on each system.

As recently as February, Sony was still losing around $18 per every PlayStation 3 sold. A whole three and a half years after the console's November 2006 launch, it appears a new component will finally allow for a profit to be made on each system.

Thank a cheaper, cooler, 40-nanometer RSX graphics chip for the reduced production cost. Even better, the chip will require less overall power to run (about 15 percent), which is ultimately good for your wallet. These consoles with updated chipsets will be available in stores as they are manufactured.

Microsoft has gone through a similar revamping with the Xbox 360, decreasing the size of vital graphics chips and creating a more reliable console over the past few years, but has yet to officially announce a long-suspected slimmed-down version of the system.

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Jeff is a host for CNET video and is regularly featured on CBS and CBSN. He founded the site's longest-running podcast, The 404, and also writes the site's tech comic, Low Latency. He is CNET's senior gaming editor and has an unhealthy obsession with ice hockey and pinball.
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