PS3 HD upgrade to 500GB... only 413 after reformat?

[Rhodes]

I upgraded my 60GB to a WD Scorpio Blue 500GB HD

Since I didnt own an external storage device of any kind... I did not back up my 60 gig HD.

I just swapped it out for the 500 gig and reformated the HD when I powered on my PS3.

After the reformat the PS3 had to restart.

No problems, the system works fine. So I go to System info to see how much space I have and it shows 413GB free out of 465GB.

Is this normal? Or is my HD defective? I have no installs or downloads on this HD it is brand new.

[broodwars]

I think that missing space is just the amount of storage reserved by the OS for system functions.

[ADC]

I think that missing space is just the amount of storage reserved by the OS for system functions.
I initially thought that, too, but 52 GB for system functions? That's more system functions than my PS3/40 can hold! What does his system do, make him waffles every morning? ;)

[broodwars]

I think that missing space is just the amount of storage reserved by the OS for system functions.
I initially thought that, too, but 52 GB for system functions? That's more system functions than my PS3/40 can hold! What does his system do, make him waffles every morning? ;)

*shrugs*

I don't know. Maybe it reserves space proportional to the size of the HDD? Or perhaps there's a portion of the HDD that's just plain unuseable? In any case, Rhodes, unless this discrepancy really bothers you 413 GB of storage is way more than you'll ever need with the system unless you just go up and download the entire PSN onto your HDD without ever deleting anything. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless your PS3 just starts randomly acting up.

[superdry]

Just remember that after formatting, a HD will always be smaller than what the stated size is on the box.

It's just that what you see the OS of the PS3 reporting is a binary number instead of the decimal number seen on the box since computers like to work in binary. You actually have 413GiB instead of 413GB. Manufacturers consider 1mb = 1000kb, but it's really 1mb = 1024kb (decimal versus binary).

[Skywise]

Just remember that after formatting, a HD will always be smaller than what the stated size is on the box.

This has nothing to do with that. Sony's doing something funky and is setting aside a set percentage of the space for their internal use, instead of just taking up a set amount.

I discovered the same thing when I upgraded my drive by the way - it's "normal" for the PS3 and there's nothing you can do about it.

[unknownfatehome]

40GB HDD

After PS3 format 37GB total 33GB free

I'd assume about 8% of a drives total capacity is allocated to system functions. Totally unnecessary of course but such is life.

[Citizen Klaus]

In any case, Rhodes, unless this discrepancy really bothers you 413 GB of storage is way more than you'll ever need with the system unless you just go up and download the entire PSN onto your HDD without ever deleting anything.

413 GB could be handy if you ever decide to install Linux on a separate partition. Then you'd have plenty of space for downloaded files.

But yeah, you'd be hard-pressed to use up 413 GB running the PS3's stock OS. If Sony would actually let the system see files other than certain formats of pictures, music, and movies, then it'd be a different story.

I wish they'd at least partner with Adobe to stick a PDF reader on the thing.

[superdry]

[
This has nothing to do with that. Sony's doing something funky and is setting aside a set percentage of the space for their internal use, instead of just taking up a set amount.

I discovered the same thing when I upgraded my drive by the way - it's "normal" for the PS3 and there's nothing you can do about it.

Ah...right. I misread the original post. Usually that's the first thing that comes to my mind when someone always ask "why is my HD smaller formatted?"

But, yea, that is not the case after re-reading the original post.

[Nork22]

It's normal. I was asked that question at a different forum and after searching around the net and a bit of research, I found the PS3 takes 12% of the HDD to be used as a swap file. I think it was mention in the manual/packaging note as well.

[guyverfanboy]

I'll have wait for the PS3 Slim to come out then I can buy a huge HDD to put in it! :)

[Skywise]

Considering that the PS3 has like 512MB of RAM, I don't think it needs 50GB of swap :P. The only thing I can think of that might legit need that kind of overhead, is if it's needed for the file system and encryption of the drive. It's bad design, regardless.

[Nork22]

Considering that the PS3 has like 512MB of RAM, I don't think it needs 50GB of swap :P. The only thing I can think of that might legit need that kind of overhead, is if it's needed for the file system and encryption of the drive. It's bad design, regardless.

Could be, but words from Guerilla I with had seems to point that whatever the 12% that the system use for reserve is what the devs are using as buffer for games that does not require an install.

[Ty]

You have to take into account the difference between bits and bytes. HDD manufacturers quote 500 gigabits, and it will format into about 460 gigabytes. The rest of the diffference must be the custom linux operating system reserving a set percentage of the drive's free space for internal functions.

[Citizen Klaus]

Ah...right. I misread the original post. Usually that's the first thing that comes to my mind when someone always ask "why is my HD smaller formatted?"


Admittedly, I also thought the same thing when I saw this thread. I was all fired up to deliver a virtual lecture on gigabits versus gigabytes until I re-read OP's post and thought better of it.

[Rhodes]

From what I looked up... 1 byte is equal to 8 bits. So HD makers are not using bits to describe the space on the HD. Otherwise a 500GB HD could be called a 8 Terra-bit HD...

From a measurement standpoint... 500GB = 500,000,000,000 <- this is what I am familiar with and what labels use to describe storage space. This is also what I learned in school. =)

but for computer storage... 500GB = 536,870,912,000 <- this is what windows would call 500GB.

8 bits=1 byte, 1024 bytes=1 kilobyte, 1024 kb=1 megabyte, 1024 mb=1 gigabyte.

I frankly dont like the labeling differences... since it doesnt match what I see in windows/ps3 but I can live with it.

My 500GB HD converts into 465+GB. What I had issues with is the space the PS3 took... 413 free out of 465... 52 gigs of reserved space is a lot... almost the size of my old HD which was 60 gigs. I wish they would fix this with a future firmware update.

413 GB seems alot but it isnt... PS3 games have alot of mandatory installs of 5 to 10 gigs... and patches and DL content. I had to delete all my MP3s cause I ran out of space. I dont like to delete the installs from games I've finished cause I sometimes like to revisit em and hate waiting while going thru the installs, patches and DLC once more.

1TB laptop HDs are coming out in a year or so... probably will upgrade again in the future.

[Legion]

I dont like to delete the installs from games I've finished cause I sometimes like to revisit em and hate waiting while going thru the installs, patches and DLC once more.

This is one reason why more games should make the installation optional.