So I want to chip my PS2

[*~*]

So SMD's have been serving me well, but it's come to the point where using it to boot backups and imports has gotten quite annoying. That's why I feel like putting a chip in my console, I would have definitely just used FMCB if I could, but I have a very recent model that blocked it.

So I can only seem to find the ModBo 4.0 still stocked, is it good? I read some threads from the earlier days and it says clone chips are bad, but it seems this is the only one left, and people are still using it. It's pretty cheap as well, which is why I want to get one.

Just how hard is it to install exactly? I've done a little soldering (eg. soldering wires for aftermarket car radio, soldering a somewhat easy PCB for an arcade stick), but I don't want to kill my PS2 (even though they too are pretty cheap these days).

Lastly, how does the ModBo affect the console's lifespan? I always hear that people avoid modchips in favour of softmodding, because modchips burn lasers out, and do things to voltage?

[Multiglobal]

It was only the first slim model (SCPH-70000x, something like that) that got the laser fried by having a modchip installed. I don't think modchips are hurting the lasers themselves, but playing burned discs wears the laser out more than original discs do.

And keep in mind, these latest slim models are a pain to install modchips in. Some modchip stores charge a higher price for doing it where I live, and many private installers refuse to do it. Fat PS2s (V5 and up) are generally considered better than the slims, as they are easier to install modchips in, the lasers are generally of better quality, can use harddrives and the slims being incompatible with a handful of PS1 games (and actually, also some PS2 games).

[mat]

Ask a professional to do it for you....PS2 modchips are difficult to install, you are required to solder like 17-20 wires and at least 5-6 of them are extremely difficult...I did jtag my own xbox 360, chip my xbox 1 and GC consoles...yet PS2 is the most difficult job...

good luck...