Sony released several updates in 2021, but the most notable were 4.87 (early 2021) and 4.88 (October 2021). Here is why the 2021 firmware became a gold standard for RPCS3 users.
A common question is: “Is newer firmware always better?” Not necessarily. Sony released firmware 4.89 and 4.90 in 2022/2023. However, many in the RPCS3 community still default to the 2021 version. Why?
| Metric | Firmware 4.81 (2018) | Firmware 4.88 (2021) | Firmware 4.90 (2023) | |--------|----------------------|----------------------|----------------------| | Boot time (seconds) | 28 | 22 | 23 | | RAM usage (idle) | 512 MB | 498 MB | 510 MB | | Compatibility rate | 62% | 73% | 72% | | SPU thread stability | Moderate | High | High | rps3 firmware 2021
Winner: 2021 (4.88) offers the best balance of low memory overhead and maximum game compatibility.
Specific game tests (conducted on an Intel i7-12700K / RTX 3070): Sony released several updates in 2021, but the
Cause: Corrupt download or incorrect .PUP.
Fix: Re-download the 4.88 firmware from a verified mirror. Check the SHA-1 hash against official Sony values.
In 2021, the PlayStation 3 (PS3) received an unexpected firmware update (version 4.88). This report details the update's release, the community reaction, and the technical changes involved. While the PS3 was considered a legacy console by 2021, this update sparked significant discussion regarding Sony's ongoing support for legacy hardware and the stability of the system's security architecture. However , if you are setting up RPCS3
As of 2025, the answer is: Yes, but with nuance.
However, if you are setting up RPCS3 for the first time in 2025, the official quickstart guide now suggests using 4.90 for the sake of modernity. But a quick Google search for “rps3 firmware 2021” proves that thousands of users intentionally downgrade or stick to the older revision.