Last week, reports on Engadget and countless other sites suggested that the new 40GB PS3s were using a 65nm processor. Sony quickly refuted the reports, stating that the new PS3 model still uses 90nm chips.

Despite the company's insistence that it was 90nm, Sony did acknowledge that the new PS3 consumed less power – 120 to 140 watts, compared to 180 to 200 watts for the older models. Today, however, Sony Computer Entertainment boss Kaz Hirai cleared up the confusion among reporters (and apparently within Sony too). In an interview with Japan's Impress Watch (as reported via IGN), Hirai confirmed that the new PS3 does indeed use a 65nm process for the Cell chip.

So where'd the confusion stem from? The other chips, such as the console's RSX graphics chip, still use a 90nm process. Shrinking the CPU, however, went a long way towards cutting the PS3's power consumption, allowing it to run cooler and more efficiently (and according to some anecdotal evidence, perhaps more quietly too).

In another part of the interview, Hirai clarified Sony's stance on the 20GB and 60GB PS3 models. He previously let Weekly Famitsu know that Sony would still provide the 20GB and 60GB PS3 models. Now, though, he explained that neither model is currently in production, but he noted that depending on how the market reacts, Sony might be open to producing them again.