Don’t know if your PS3 is downgradable, what’s the lowest firmware it can go or how to find what model you have? Then check this out.
So with the explosion of the PlayStation 3 scene there have been a plethora of questions pertaining to the PS3 and downgrading. So with that in mind I gathered all the information together in one convenient post that will help you find out the answers!
How to find a PS3′s Model Number
To locate the model of your PlayStation 3, look on the back of the system and locate the bar code sticker. Underneath the bar code you will see the 11-digit serial number followed by a model number which begins with “CECH”. You can also find the model number by looking on the box. It can be found by looking on the top of the box (the side where the handle is located) and is printed below the contents of whats inside the box.
ex.
Downgradable Models
These easy, trimmed down charts will help you find out if your PS3 is downgradable and what the lowest firmware that it can be downgraded to. Remember that 3.55 is the firmware required to install CFW, for now. You can check out the last column to see the min firmware that’s allowed on that console.
Credits: http://wololo.net/2012/10/31/downgradable-ps3-models/