whats the difference between the 40g version and the 60g and 80g

40g version plays ps1 games, no ps2 games, 2 Usb ports. 60g plays almost every single ps2 and

ps1 games, 4 Usb ports. 80g plays most ps2 and ps1 games, 4 Usb ports.

Just posted an answer to a similar Q on a different thread, I'll just quote:

Actually if you want a system with proper BC (specially if you have lots of PS2 games you still want to play), it's best to get the NTSC 60 GB or 20 GB PS3 consoles, you can always upgrade your HDD later to even 200 GBs.

The reason why the 60 GB & 20 GB units are superior to the 80 GB version is because the 20/60 GB NTSC PS3s have the Emotion Engine built into them as well as the PS2 GPU, but as for the 80 GB unit, it only has PS2's GPU without the E.E, which means it plays PS2 games based on Software emulation instead of the Hardware support the 20/60 GB PS3s have.

Even though many PS2 games can be played on the 80 GB units (Firmware upgrades will make 'em even better for PS2 games), but IMO software emulation (80 GB) won't ever be as stable as total hardware support (20/60 GB). As for the 40 GB units, they won't be any good for playing PS2 games because both PS2's E.E and GPU were removed in this version.

I'm actually in a similar situation as yours and thinking about getting a 60 GB NTSC now before they'd be too rare to get (as I arleady mentioned you can always upgrade the HDD later), but at the same time I'm thinking about waiting and getting the system when MGS4 is released (my favourite game and the main reason for me to get the system, it just thrills me much more to get the system with my favourite game at the same time, as well as an HDTV+7.1 SS, all my savings would be for that game ! ) but I'm afraid the 60 GB would be really hard to get by then !

Anyway, goodluck with your purchase.metallicaband