The DMS 4 Pro SE, Matrix Infinity, or the Crystal Chip 1.1
5. Q. What modchip should I get?
A. Matrix Infinity, DMS 4 Pro SE, or the Crystal Chip Pro 1.1. The DMS 4 Pro SE has a HD Loader built into the flash and all the feature's you'd expect from a quality modchip, I recommend the DMS 4 SE Pro, because it has a 2MB flash built into the chip, and it's only about $10 more than the DMS 4 SE Lite. If you're interested in playing games off a HD, take a look at the DMS 4 Pro SE.
http://www.dms3.com/dms4se/features.html
The Matrix Infinity is the grandfather of auto boot modchips. It was the first modchip to auto boot backups/imports with no swapping/resetting. It's feature packed and simple to use. Matrix Chips are probably a little more durable than the other two, and extremely reliable. There are a lot of Matrix Infinity clones out there, make sure you order from one of the reputable installers listed in this thread.
http://www.infinitymod.com/cgi-bin/matrix/site.pl?page=chip_infinity
The Crystal Chip 1.1 is the latest contender to graduate to the top flight chip category. It is feature packed, simple to use, and effective. The CC auto patches DNA ID's so you'd never need to bother with Windip, Winimage, or Disc ID Insertor. Definitely recommended if you play your backups online alot. To boot backups/imports the Crystal Chip requires the use of "hacked" firmware. It's simply the official firmware modified so the chip can boot backups and imports. Everyone who uses the CC uses the hacked firmware, so fear not.
http://teammodders.com/ps2_mc.php?ex=2#31 CC 1.1 Hacked Firmware v.19: http://www.forumconsolas.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1213
I personally have a Matrix Infinity and it works great. I have no regrets as to getting a modchip over Swap Magic. Once you have a quality modchip, you'll never go back to disc swapping again. It cost's a little more in the short term, but think of all the time you'll save rebuilding, shrinking DVD-9 to DVD-5, patching PAL games to NTSC, and the like. If you haven't noticed, most people who have trouble getting games to boot are Swap Magic users. This isn't nearly as frequent a problem for people who have modchips. Just some food for thought.
Note: v.12-14 PS2's will need a laser fix like the neo fix. This is necessary to keep the laser from burning out.
From KC36330, a professional modder and member of AD:
If your modder didn't install a laser fix then most likely your laser is now on its way out. All V12-V14 PS2's require the laser fix, especially modded consoles. Even a new unmodded slimline PS2 can burn the laser out in as little as a few hours of game play.
Laser fix info: http://www.modchip.com/ps2/v12laserfix.htm
I don't really. Never heard of it. In general I don't recommend the solderless chips. Too many people butcher their PS2's when trying to install the solderless chips. A lot of people end up soldering them in anyway. Go with one of the three chips I already mentioned. Every modder I've talked to have them heads and shoulders above the rest. Pay a pro to install one of the "big three", the DMS 4 Pro SE, Matrix Infinity (Green dot), and the Crystal Chip 1.1.
