iKon Technical Solutions
PS3 Hardware Restoration
Backwards Compatible FAT Models Only
Professional RSX replacement and board-level restoration for CECHA01, CECHB01, and CECHE01 systems. Built for serious long-term repair, not temporary heat-gun patches.
iKon Live
Lots of Franky work ends up here, but not always. Depending on what is rolling through the shop, you might catch PS3 Frankenstein work, chip harvesting, local phone repair, data recovery, MacBook work, microscope close-ups, or some other random project on the bench.
If the repair queue is moving, there is usually some action to watch. If the shop is quiet, the stream may be offline or parked until something interesting is happening again.
STREAM PARKED
Finished Consoles
Fully loaded 40nm / 65nm refurbished systems with full warranty.
If you do not see the exact setup you are looking for, reach out. We may be able to build a system tailored to your needs.
This is physical electronics repair only. This service does not include custom firmware, jailbreaks, modchips, copied games, downloaded games, piracy tools, firmware or system software modification, copyright bypassing, or instructions for accessing paid content.
Sony Playstation 3 Frankenstein Hardware Options
Approved requests receive shipping instructions first.
Payment is not required before shipping your console in.
Our preferred Frankenstein RSX: factory bare-die 40nm silicon from select Super Slim MSX/MPX donors with a completely renewed die-level thermal interface.
View service details →40nm Slim RSX Frankenstein conversion for lower GPU power and heat, with optional factory bare-die 40nm upgrade.
View service details →65nm Frankenstein RSX conversion with renewable die-level thermal interface and support for lower-firmware restoration goals.
View service details →Required Frankenstein hardware conversion that adapts RSX control signaling and VDDR voltage for the installed 65nm or 40nm processor. This is NOT undervolting.
View service details →Optional CELL and RSX VDDC/Vcore optimization to reduce processor power consumption and heat after the required Frankenstein electrical conversion.
View service details →Required CELL/RSX VDDC power-rail rebuild using brand-new low-ESR polymer capacitors and premium multi-value MLCC decoupling.
View service details →Optional RTC battery replacement. We test the original for free and recommend replacement below approximately 3.0V.
View service details →Complete FAT PS3 optical-drive diagnosis and repair including laser, spindle, loading mechanism, sensors, ribbon cables, drive electronics, and paired daughterboard evaluation.
View service details →Upgrade aging BD-400 / KES-400A hardware to the later Sony BD-410 / KES-410A dual-lens platform. Includes compatible drive hardware, installation, Factory / Service Mode remarriage, playback-data restoration, and multi-format testing.
View service details →High-efficiency 399W PSU upgrade with greater power headroom and substantially lower conversion loss than the early ZSSR supply.
View service details →Complete component-level APS-226 rebuild using modern power semiconductors, SiC technology, new 450V capacitors and premium thermal servicing. Reduced PSU operating temperatures should be present compared with typical aged original supplies.
View service details →Reduced-capacity 285W PSU configuration for optimized Frankenstein builds. CELL/RSX undervolting is required.
View service details →OEM 140mm 19-blade cooling fan configuration engineered for strong airflow and improved noise-to-cooling performance in restored FAT PS3 systems.
View service details →CELL delid and hidden thermal-interface restoration. Routine 40nm RSX delidding is intentionally avoided in favor of factory bare-die RSX hardware.
View service details →Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Extreme 2, individually cut and thickness-matched for proper PS3 component contact.
View service details →Premium phase-change thermal interface for eligible die-level CELL/RSX applications, including our factory bare-die 40nm RSX conversion.
View service details →Optional deep motherboard cleaning for liquid damage, corrosion residue, heavy flux, smoke contamination, and boards that need more than normal hand cleaning.
View service details →Complete exterior cosmetic restoration with hand washing, detailed cleaning, polishing, and buffing to revive an original FAT PS3 shell.
View service details →Premium new-production 95A TPU replacement for the original PS3 security Torx cover plug. Flexible rubber-like construction with a clean OEM-style fit. OEM Sony plugs also available when inventory permits for $30.
View service details →Precision 1.0mm ASA CELL and RSX board-support bracers designed to reduce local PCB flex without adding processor clamping pressure.
View service details →Modern 2.5-inch SATA SSD upgrade with fresh installation, direct encrypted hardware cloning, or advanced full-capacity clone-and-expand data migration.
View service details →Repair Flow
No automatic checkout. No mystery repair bill. Every job is reviewed before acceptance and extra paid work requires approval.
Send your model number, symptoms, repair history, and selected options through the request form.
We review the request and confirm whether the console is a good fit before anything is shipped.
Approved jobs receive shipping instructions. Shipping to us is the customer’s responsibility.
We inspect the system, perform approved work, and contact you before any additional paid work is done.
After inspection and approved work is completed, we send an invoice before return shipment.
Once paid, the console is packed and returned with the agreed shipping and insurance coverage.
What happens on the bench
The original 90nm RSX is known for high heat output and long-term reliability problems. A 65nm or 40nm RSX replacement can lower heat, reduce power draw, and improve stability for restored backwards compatible FAT systems.
Voltage optimization is a longevity-focused hardware adjustment. It is not a software modification.
Playstation 3 Frankenstein Service Pricing
These are guide prices. Final quote depends on console condition, selected parts, and inspection results.
Optional low-use RSX upgrades
Select a lower-use RSX by recorded donor-console runtime. Standard pricing remains available; premium runtime tiers may be requested when in stock.
| Donor runtime | Premium 40nmFactory bare die · Super Slim | Standard 40nmSlim donor | 65nm RSXSlim donor |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 days or lessUltra-low use | $600 | $515 | $475 |
| 11–50 daysLow use | $500 | $415 | $375 |
| 51–100 daysModerate use | $425 | $340 | $300 |
| 101+ days / stockStandard pricing | $350 | $265 | $225 |
Our preferred Frankenstein RSX: factory bare-die 40nm silicon from select Super Slim MSX/MPX donors with a completely renewed die-level thermal interface.
40nm Slim RSX Frankenstein conversion for lower GPU power and heat, with optional factory bare-die 40nm upgrade.
65nm Frankenstein RSX conversion with renewable die-level thermal interface and support for lower-firmware restoration goals.
Required Frankenstein hardware conversion that adapts RSX control signaling and VDDR voltage for the installed 65nm or 40nm processor. This is NOT undervolting.
Optional CELL and RSX VDDC/Vcore optimization to reduce processor power consumption and heat after the required Frankenstein electrical conversion.
Required CELL/RSX VDDC power-rail rebuild using brand-new low-ESR polymer capacitors and premium multi-value MLCC decoupling.
Optional RTC battery replacement. We test the original for free and recommend replacement below approximately 3.0V.
Complete FAT PS3 optical-drive diagnosis and repair including laser, spindle, loading mechanism, sensors, ribbon cables, drive electronics, and paired daughterboard evaluation.
Upgrade aging BD-400 / KES-400A hardware to the later Sony BD-410 / KES-410A dual-lens platform. Includes compatible drive hardware, installation, Factory / Service Mode remarriage, playback-data restoration, and multi-format testing.
High-efficiency 399W PSU upgrade with greater power headroom and substantially lower conversion loss than the early ZSSR supply.
Complete component-level APS-226 rebuild using modern power semiconductors, SiC technology, new 450V capacitors and premium thermal servicing. Reduced PSU operating temperatures should be present compared with typical aged original supplies.
Reduced-capacity 285W PSU configuration for optimized Frankenstein builds. CELL/RSX undervolting is required.
OEM 140mm 19-blade cooling fan configuration engineered for strong airflow and improved noise-to-cooling performance in restored FAT PS3 systems.
CELL delid and hidden thermal-interface restoration. Routine 40nm RSX delidding is intentionally avoided in favor of factory bare-die RSX hardware.
Thermal Grizzly Minus Pad Extreme 2, individually cut and thickness-matched for proper PS3 component contact.
Premium phase-change thermal interface for eligible die-level CELL/RSX applications, including our factory bare-die 40nm RSX conversion.
Optional deep motherboard cleaning for liquid damage, corrosion residue, heavy flux, smoke contamination, and boards that need more than normal hand cleaning.
Complete exterior cosmetic restoration with hand washing, detailed cleaning, polishing, and buffing to revive an original FAT PS3 shell.
Premium new-production 95A TPU replacement for the original PS3 security Torx cover plug. Flexible rubber-like construction with a clean OEM-style fit. OEM Sony plugs also available when inventory permits for $30.
Precision 1.0mm ASA CELL and RSX board-support bracers designed to reduce local PCB flex without adding processor clamping pressure.
Modern 2.5-inch SATA SSD upgrade with fresh installation, direct encrypted hardware cloning, or advanced full-capacity clone-and-expand data migration.
How It’s Done
These videos show real examples of the type of board-level work involved in premium PS3 restoration.
We modernized the Sony APS-226 at the component level and put it under sustained load in a high-draw launch PS3. The result: cooler PSU operation while retaining the APS-226's substantial electrical headroom.
This video documents the iKon Premium PS3 Frankenstein process in real time, showing the actual board-level work, equipment, techniques, preparation, cleanup and time that goes into properly rebuilding one of these consoles.
Unlike the standard 40nm RSX chips harvested from PS3 Slim consoles, these Premium chips come from compatible PS3 Super Slim donor boards and are factory bare-die RSX packages.
A 40nm Frankenstein PS3 presenting with GLOD / low-firmware behavior. Instead of unnecessary NAND removal or invasive board work, the fault was diagnosed correctly and recovered through Factory Service Mode, the proper firmware target, and a successful blind update process.
Removing NEC/TOKIN from a PS3 motherboard does not need to involve excessive heat, aggressive prying, or unnecessary stress on the board!
To DELID or Not to DELID - We dont we just use factory bare die!
A look at the 40nm RSX replacement process and premium Frankenstein conversion work.
See the NEC/TOKIN replacement process and supporting restoration work in action.
Designed and Made locally in Colorado by iKon.
Play Station 3 RSX Reflow 40nm to motherboard.
Inhouse RSX SLIM Harvesting for best results.
Proper Ultrasonic Cleaning -- Slow down no Rush!.
Repair Gallery
What we do and some pictures of repairs, equipment, shipping, franky shop and more!
Completed Frankies
Check out real repairs for customer with pictures, livestreams and feedback!
PRemium Bare Die - Phase Change - UnderVolt - TPU Plug + Bios Battery
“I recently sent my original backwards-compatible PS3 (CECHA01) to Chad at iKon Technical Solutions for his premium 40nm RSX Frankenstein conversion, along with several other upgrades and preventative repairs. I couldn't …”
View Full Repair Record
CELL/RSX Delid + Bluray Service + NEC/TOKIN capacitor service
“Best in the business, get it done right.”
View Full Repair Record
40nm RSX hardware restoration + NEC/TOKIN capacitor service + Voltage stability restoration + Cooling upgrade
View Full Repair Record
40nm RSX hardware restoration + NEC/TOKIN capacitor service + Voltage stability restoration + SSD upgrade + Full restoration quote
View Full Repair Record
40nm RSX hardware restoration + NEC/TOKIN capacitor service + Voltage stability restoration + Cooling upgrade + SSD upgrade + Full restoration quote
View Full Repair Record
40nm RSX hardware restoration + SSD upgrade
“First off this guy does great work. The console works better than it ever has since I've owned it. Communication wise he is on top of it so well it's almost annoying. I feel like I have to say it a second time guy does g…”
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40nm RSX hardware restoration
“Top notch on everything! He kept me informed on everything, what he found, what he repaired and the live stream showed exactly what he did to the system. No hidden fess…everything is upfront I’ve seen videos of other p…”
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Full restoration quote
“I felt like your service and communication were excellent. You helped me understand exactly what I was trying to accomplish with having my 60gb PS3 serviced and it was an amazing experience. My PS3 came back in workin…”
View Full Repair Record
Premium factory bare-die 40nm RSX - Kes 400 Laser - RSX Hydro Plane
View Full Repair RecordCustomer Reviews
See what real customers have to say about there repaired consoles! Reviews are submitted directly by the customer and cannot be altered. You can also view the live stream data still pictures and options picked by that customer!
Compatible Models
Not sure what model you have? Submit a request before shipping anything and we will help confirm compatibility.
Experience & Warranty
Common Questions
Clear answers about pricing, required work, shipping, warranty, and what this hardware repair service does and does not include.
The RSX price is the base RSX replacement portion of the service. A complete recommended restoration may also include voltage configuration, NEC/TOKIN capacitor replacement, thermal pads, delid service where applicable, cleaning, fan or PSU options, SSD work, and return shipping.
Pricing is broken out because not every console arrives in the same condition and not every customer wants the same level of restoration.
No. The listed 40nm or 65nm RSX price is for the RSX replacement option itself. The full job total depends on the model, symptoms, prior repair attempts, selected parts, required supporting work, and inspection results.
When a later RSX revision is installed, the GPU voltage rail should be configured for that replacement chip design. The goal is to run the replacement RSX at the correct hardware spec instead of leaving it on the original board configuration.
This is a physical hardware configuration for reliability and heat reduction. It is not a software modification.
Many early FAT PS3 failures involve unstable power delivery. If the NEC/TOKIN banks are weak or failing, replacing the RSX alone may not be enough for a reliable long-term repair.
After inspection, NEC/TOKIN replacement may be recommended as supporting work for rail stability.
This service is not a heat-gun reflow or temporary YLOD patch. The Frankenstein repair replaces the original RSX with a later, cooler-running 65nm or 40nm RSX when appropriate.
Professional BGA equipment, controlled thermal profiles, pad preparation, and inspection are used during the process.
Yes. Availability and pricing depend on the replacement chip type and whether the selected RSX is used/tested or NOS when available. The best option depends on the console, budget, and restoration goal.
Yes. The How It’s Done section includes YouTube videos showing real examples of RSX replacement, NEC/TOKIN replacement, and related board-level work.
No. This is physical electronics repair only. This service does not include custom firmware, jailbreaks, modchips, copied games, downloaded games, piracy tools, firmware or system software modification, copyright bypassing, or instructions for accessing paid content.
Send the whole console unless we discuss a motherboard-only job first. A full console allows final testing for power, video, cooling behavior, disc drive behavior, temperatures, and overall operation before return shipment.
RSX replacement does not automatically fix unrelated issues such as bad HDMI ports, Blu-ray drive problems, corrupted firmware, power supply problems, missing parts, liquid damage, or previous repair damage. Additional paid work is not performed without approval.
Submit a repair request first. If accepted, you receive shipping instructions. After the console is inspected, approved work is completed, any additional recommended work is discussed, and an invoice is sent before return shipment.
No. This service is currently United States only. International shipments are not accepted at this time.
Turnaround time depends on inbound shipping time, current bench workload, parts availability, and the approved repair scope. Once the console arrives, most approved repairs are completed within 1 to 5 business days. Return shipping is handled by UPS with tracking, insurance, and signature required. iKon Technical Solutions selects the appropriate UPS service based on package size, destination, customer-supplied packaging, carrier rates, and delivery estimate. Return shipments commonly use UPS 3 Day Select or similar service, with UPS 2nd Day Air used when practical and UPS Ground used when oversized packaging causes excessive rate increases. In most cases, the full send-in, repair, and return process takes about 10 to 14 days total.
Request Form
Use this form for PS3 restoration requests or questions about finished refurbished consoles. Repair requests are reviewed before acceptance. Finished console purchases are confirmed manually before payment or shipment.
If you prefer eBay checkout, eBay messaging, and eBay order tracking, we offer a simple payment token checkout option for approved PS3 hardware repair requests.
Please contact us first and wait for your repair total to be confirmed. Do not purchase payment tokens until we provide the correct token amount or quantity.
Once the eBay checkout is used, order updates, tracking, and related messages will continue through eBay for that order.
Load Payment Tokens on eBay