Honestly, I thought the same thing. But I guess since the heat reductions are only so big that they assumed the PS3 only reduced the RSX in the new 80gb models and not the Cell.

 What if they used the 45nm Cell and 90nm RSX chip, wouldn't it produce similar results shown on the link?

I'll be upgrading to a new ps3 when:

45 Cell
45 RSX
4 USB Ports [or more]
Full PS2 B/C
Card Readers

Are all available on one ps3 sku. Until then i'll be quite happy with my 80GB [From Motorstorm Bundle]

Adding the full testing results:

80GB PS3 Core -
* XMB idle - 111.9 watts
* DVD playback - 126.0 watts
* Game (MGS4) - 130.0 watts

40GB PS3 Core -
* XMB idle - 125.8 watts
* DVD playback - 141.2 watts
* Game (MGS4) - 155.2 watts

80GB PS3 MGS4 Bundle -
* XMB idle - 180 watts
* Bluray Playback - 182 watts
* DVD playback - 197 watts
* Game (MGS4) - 200 watts


Stats

80GB Core vs. 40GB Core
* XMB idle - 11% Lower
* DVD playback - 10.8% Lower
* Game (MGS4) - 16.2% Lower

80GB Core vs. 80GB MGS4 Bundle
* XMB idle - 37.8% Lower
* DVD playback - 36% Lower
* Game (MGS4) - 35% Lower

Source: http://pocketnews.cocolog-nifty.com/pkns/2008/08/ps380gb65nmrsx_543f.html

the new 80gb ps3 at $300 and the 160gb at $450. cut the price sony!

Based on the data Wenlan found i believe had to change something in the 80gb Core PS3's. I really wish some company would rip open a PS3 and let us see inside the new models.

@gebx - you are correct, it is possible that this is the 45nm CELL /90nm RSX ...

Oh geez... I completely forgot this point... But of course right when I heard they were selling it in all territories and with no BC i knew they had to have changed something and not just the HDD size.

I doubt there are any more shriked versions of Cell/RSX inside of it and the minimal power savings could be from:

- different HDD with less power consumption? (even if it's bigger that doesn't mean it has to consume more power)
- little adjustments of the mainboard/other components on the mainboard
- different outer conditions which had an influence on the measuring device/the ps3/the cables/...

 Why do you doubt it? Sony said they were implementing a smaller size in the fall. Isnt the end of August close enough to the fall?

The older 80GB PS3 had a hardware PS2 GS in it, as well as additional memory card and USB ports, which might explain some of the additional power consumption over the recent 40GB model.

The 60GB PS3 had a hardware PS2 EE and GS, and of course used 90nm CPU and GPU chips. How much power did it consume?

Given the new 65/65 X360's supposed consumption of just over 100W, I would not at all be surprised if this new PS3 was also 65/65, and probably saving Sony a good chunk of money.