Report: 40GB PS3 more energy-efficient

Earlier this month, Sony officially unveiled the long-rumored 40GB PlayStation 3 model, which will be available on November 2 for $399. To make up for the $100 price difference between the new model and its 80GB counterpart, Sony tweaked the console's configuration, reducing the number of USB ports from four to two and stripping out the memory-card reader. Backward compatibility for PlayStation 2 titles has also been removed from the new console, though Sony has stated that move had more to do with generating revenue than cutting costs.

While Sony readily called out the reduced functionality of its 40GB model, the console maker omitted mention of a few new changes being implemented under the hood, according to a report from German tech site Computer Base. The report claims that the 40GB will sport the 65nm version of the Cell processor, which will cut the console's wattage use from 200 to about 135. In turn, the report claims the new console will output less heat and noise.

The Emotion Engine, which provides hardware-based backward compatibility for original PlayStation and PS2 titles, was also removed with the discontinuation of the 60GB PS3 model in North America, further cutting energy demands.

A new processor isn't the only modification reportedly being made to the 40GB hardware. The new console also includes a smaller heat pipe and a new version of its motherboard, according to the report.

Sony had not responded to requests for comment on the new hardware configuration as of press time.