Fat vs Slim PS2 for FreeMCBoot: Which Route to Choose
If you already own a PlayStation 2, the Fat versus Slim question is mostly answered for you: use the console you have, and pick the loading route that fits it. If you are choosing a console to buy or to set up for FreeMCBoot (FMCB) v1.966, the difference comes down to one thing. Fat consoles can take an internal hard drive, while Slim consoles cannot, so Slim setups rely on USB, a network share, or a memory-card-slot adapter. FMCB itself boots directly on most Fat consoles and most Slim consoles, with the important exception of late SCPH-90000 Slims, which need a Fortuna or FunTuna trigger instead.
That distinction is worth stating plainly, because a lot of buying advice treats “Slim” as a single category. It is not. An early Slim and a late Slim can need completely different approaches, and the full model breakdown is in FreeMCBoot Compatibility List. This post compares the two hardware families so you can choose a route, not just a console shape.
Boot behaviour: mostly the same, with one exception
FMCB is a memory card softmod that replaces the standard browser behaviour with a custom menu. On a supported console, you insert the card, power on, and the FMCB menu appears. That behaviour is the same on Fat consoles and on supported Slim consoles. There is no Fat-only or Slim-only version of FMCB v1.966 to choose between; the same package and installer apply, and the install type you select in the installer matters more than the console’s size.
The exception is the late Slim group: SCPH-90000 consoles from the third quarter of 2008 onwards, identified by datecode 8C and later and by boot ROM 2.30 or newer. Those consoles do not boot FMCB on their own, because Sony removed the update behaviour FMCB relies on. The route for those consoles is Fortuna or FunTuna, which you trigger manually from the on-screen browser by selecting the memory card and backing out to the main menu. It works, but it is a different daily experience from auto-boot, and you should factor that in before you choose a late Slim deliberately. The PS2 TV sits in the same late-model group.
Early Fat consoles deserve one footnote. The Fortuna family was not ported to the earliest SCPH-10000 and SCPH-15000 models, but those consoles are in the FMCB direct-boot group, so this only matters when you are comparing trigger options, not when you are deciding whether FMCB itself applies.
Loading routes compared
Once FMCB or a Fortuna-family trigger is running, you still need a way to load homebrew and your own game backups. This is where Fat and Slim diverge in practice.
| Loading route | Fat | Slim | What you need |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internal hard drive (FHDB/OPL) | Yes | No | Network adapter plus a compatible drive for Fat consoles |
| USB drive (OPL) | Yes | Yes | A USB drive the PS2’s USB ports accept reliably |
| Network share, SMB (OPL) | Yes, via network adapter | Yes, via the built-in network port on Slims | A PC or server on the same network sharing your game folder |
| MX4SIO, memory-card-slot adapter (OPL) | Yes | Yes | An MX4SIO adapter and a microSD card |
The Fat advantage is the internal drive. It keeps everything inside the console, avoids the PS2’s slow USB ports for loading, and, through FHDB, can even boot from the drive itself rather than from a card. The trade-offs are a network adapter, a drive, setup time, and the FHDB capacity caveat covered in FMCB vs FHDB.
The Slim advantage is simplicity and size. Every Slim has a built-in network port, so network-share loading needs no adapter, and USB loading needs nothing more than a drive. The drawback is that USB loading runs through USB 1.1 ports, which are slow and picky about modern drives, so many Slim owners later move to a network share or MX4SIO.
Disc drive, video output, and controllers
Two practical differences have nothing to do with FMCB and everything to do with living with the console. Fat consoles have a disc tray and a larger, noisier drive mechanism that is now old enough to be a failure point on many units. Slim consoles have a top-loading drive that is simpler mechanically, but the laser still ages on both families. If you need a disc-based entry point, such as FreeDVDBoot, to install FMCB in the first place, the condition of the drive matters more than whether the console is Fat or Slim. See FreeMCBoot vs FreeDVDBoot for how entry points work.
Video output is the same on both families: the PS2 outputs analogue signals, and most modern setups use a component cable or a PS2-to-HDMI converter. Controllers are shared too: a standard DualShock 2 works on both, and a replacement DualShock 2 controller fits either console.
Which route should you choose?
Use this decision list rather than a single recommendation, because the right answer depends on the console in front of you.
- You own a Fat console: Start with FMCB on a card, then decide between USB loading for simplicity and an internal drive for a larger library. The internal drive is the Fat’s distinctive advantage, but it is optional, not required.
- You own an early or mid Slim (70000 to 790xx, or a 90000 with ROM below 2.30): Start with FMCB on a card and USB loading, then move to a network share or MX4SIO if USB speed or drive compatibility frustrates you.
- You own a late 90000 Slim (ROM 2.30 or newer): Plan for Fortuna or FunTuna from the start, with the manual trigger as part of the daily routine. Do not buy accessories assuming standard FMCB auto-boot.
- You are buying a console specifically for this: A Fat console gives you the most routes, including the internal drive, while an early Slim gives you the smallest footprint with standard FMCB boot. A late Slim is fine if you accept the manual trigger, but it should be a conscious choice, not a surprise. For second-hand consoles, eBay PS2 listings are one place to check condition and included accessories before you commit.
Whichever family you choose, keep the FMCB card dedicated to that job and keep game saves on a second card.
Checklist
- Confirm your model, datecode, and ROM version using the matrix in the compatibility list.
- If the console is a late 90000 Slim, choose the Fortuna/FunTuna route and accept the manual trigger.
- Pick a loading route: USB for simplicity, network share for speed without new hardware, internal drive for Fat libraries, MX4SIO for card-slot loading.
- Check the disc drive only if you need a disc entry point for the first install.
- Get the v1.966 package from /download/ and install for the console you will actually use.
FAQ
Is FMCB better on Fat or on Slim? Neither, for FMCB itself. Boot behaviour is the same on supported consoles of both families. The difference is in loading routes, where Fat adds the internal drive option.
Can a Slim use an internal hard drive? No. Slim consoles have no internal drive bay. Their routes are USB, network share, or MX4SIO.
Does a Slim need a network adapter for network loading? No. Slim consoles have a built-in network port. Fat consoles need a network adapter for both network loading and internal drive use.
Should I avoid late 90000 Slims entirely? Not necessarily, but go in with open eyes. The Fortuna/FunTuna trigger works, it just requires a manual step every time, where standard FMCB boots on its own.
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