Can PS3 Work Without a Hard Drive?

No. Every PS3 model requires an internal 2.5" SATA hard drive to function. The OS, game installs, saves, trophies, and media cache all reside on the HDD. Without it:

• System won’t boot past “Connect a storage device” screen.
• Games cannot install mandatory data (most require 1–5 GB).
• No save capability.

Common Misconceptions

• External USB drive: Can supplement storage but cannot replace the internal HDD for boot/OS.
• 12 GB “flash” models (CECH-4000x): Still have a tiny internal NAND for firmware; game data goes to HDD/USB.

If your HDD fails, replace it with any 2.5" SATA drive (5400 RPM recommended); the PS3 will format it on first boot.