What are the new revisions for?
During the lifecycle of a console, manufacturers release new revisions mainly to increase its marginality. This is achieved by revising the element base on which the device is mounted. New parts can be cheaper, get delivered to the factory faster, etc.
This was especially true for next-gen consoles: the same Sony began manufacturing and selling the PlayStation 5 amid a global chip shortage. The company purchased the components available at the time and designed consoles based on them. Later, the deficit weakened and the seller took a new floor.
Also, the release of new revisions allows vendors to fix bugs identified after release that did not have enough time to fix before launch.
The release of new revisions is a normal procedure not only for consoles but also for other electronic devices such as smartphones. For example, sometimes iPhones of the same model use screens from different manufacturers, depending on the place and year of manufacture.
How to understand which revision of PlayStation 5 this or that is?
PlayStation 5 went on sale at the end of 2020. Since then, in addition to the original revision, Sony has released two more. Thus, there are now three types of PlayStation 5 on store shelves, each of which can be identified by the product code (Item Code). It is indicated by vendors in parentheses after the lot name, which is usually written on the box, the body of the device and the technical data sheet.
PlayStation 5 product codes are written in the following format: CFI-1XXXX (replaces “X” for a number or letter).
For example, take the PlayStation 5 with the code. CFI-1008B. What does it mean?
CFI – this is the basic definition of PlayStation 5. Model codes of all revisions and even peripherals for set-top boxes such as DualSense controllers begin with these letters;
“one” is the model number. This figure is the same in determining all revisions. Future iterations like the PlayStation 5 Slim and PlayStation 5 Pro will likely get numbers 2 and 3;
“0” device revision number: 0 is the first revision, 1 is the second revision, 2 is the third revision;
“08” is the country code of the console. Specifically, 08 is the code for Russia. There are also 00 (Japan), 18 (South Korea) and more;
“INSIDE” – this letter means that the PlayStation 5 Digital Edition, that is, the driverless version, is used in our example. The driver version uses the letter “A” instead of “B”;
What is the difference between PlayStation 5 revisions?
model CFI-11XXX It appeared in the fall of 2021. It differs from the original PlayStation 5 (CFI-10ХХХ) in the first place by reducing the weight by 300g.
Inside, Sony has drastically overhauled the cooling system, using a smaller heatsink and a cutout radiator. The cooler of the original set-top box weighs 1639, and the cooler of the second revision weighs 1368. Previously, there were six heat pipes coming out of the radiator, and now there are only four.
The second revision also slightly changed the design of the stand. If it had to be screwed on in the original, on the second revision the part is attached with a clip.
The changes did not affect performance, but there is a difference in the heating of the systems. Eurogamer Edition, with reference to their own and others’ experiences, writera console with a smaller cooling system will heat up a few degrees more. First of all, this applies directly to the RAM modules and the block with the processor.
Heat is not critical, but some users prefer to remove the plastic casing of the set-top box for better ventilation and heat dissipation.
revision CFI-12XXX appeared As early as September 2022. In it, Sony has once again redesigned the cooling system, which makes the console lighter by 300 g. As you can imagine, the cooling system has also decreased.
This time Sony changed the pitch of the cooler fins and significantly reduced the number of radiator fins. The company compensated for their reduction with an additional heatpipe.
By the way, about the motherboard – Sony redesigned it in CFI-12XXX. The card has become smaller and the components on it are placed closer together. The new layout made it difficult to replace the CMOS battery. In the first two revisions, the motherboard can be replaced without removing it from the case, in the third this procedure is inevitable.
There are pluses. With the development of the new card, Sony optimized the power consumption of the console. The CFI-12XXX revision consumes approximately 30 watts less electricity per hour than the previous generation system without sacrificing performance.
Despite the reduction in the cooling system, the third revision of the PlayStation 5 does not heat up any more than the original version with the largest cooler and radiator.
As you can see from above, the PlayStation 5 doesn’t have a perfect revision, but the latest version seems to come closest to that description. The only downside is the complicated replacement of the CMOS battery. However, this minus is insignificant, since with a high probability the user will not need to replace the device for five to six years after purchase.
How to determine Nintendo Switch’s revision number and is there a difference between them?
The Nintendo Switch hybrid game console has been on sale since 2016. In almost seven years, three models of the console were released: the original Switch, the Switch Lite without removable controllers and a TV connection, and the Switch OLED, a more expensive version of the original device with an improved display. In the context of the overhaul discussion, only the original Nintendo Switch is interesting because it only has two revisions.
On Nintendo Switch, as on PlayStation 5, you can specify the revision by product code. It is written in the format HAC-00X(-XX) (replaces “X” for a number or letter).
For example, take the Nintendo Switch console with the code. HAC-001(-01). What does it mean?
CROSS is the codename for the entire Nintendo Switch line of devices. With HAC, product codes are not just for set-top boxes, but for Joy-Con controllers, docking station, charger, etc. It also starts for accessories such as;
“001” – This number belongs to the device itself. The number 001 directly refers to the Switch prefix. Also, 007 (docking station), 013 (Switch Pro Controller gamepad), 002 (power supply) and only;
(-01) – this figure means revision. The pointer (-01) indicates that the second version of the console, released in 2019, is used in our example. The original Nintendo Switch of the 2016 model, in principle, does not have this last inscription in the product code – it looks like this: HAC-001.
It is curious that the Switch of the first and second revisions will also have a different packaging design. So, in the box of the original console, Joy-Con controllers are shown on the left of the console and on the right in the second revision. information about it placed even on the official Nintendo website.
Nintendo in (-01) version used new accessories. The Tegra X1 Logan processor has changed to Tegra X1 Mariko and the company has also changed the RAM type from LPDDR4 to LPDDR4X.
The new parts are fundamentally different from the old ones in terms of energy efficiency. When using the same 4310 mAh batteries, the original Switch lasts 2.5-6.5 hours on a single charge, and the new one – 4.5-9 hours.
The new revision is also understaffed, but still received a performance boost. According to Eurogamer, it’s only noticeable in complex scenes in demanding games like The Legend of Zelda: Breathe of the Wild.
However, the new revision cannot be called ideal again. Many gamers note that the colors of the screen version (-01) have a cold tint, which is especially noticeable on a white background. On the original console, the screen displays a more natural white.
It is clear that many bloggers, journalists and even users recommend to buy the (-01) version, since its advantages significantly outweigh the minor drawback of the screen. Nintendo itself also helps not to make a mistake with the choice – production of the first revision has already been discontinued. However, it is still on sale, especially among frequently used devices.