No, you do not need a chip. If you are on the latest version you would have to get a E3 Flasher so you could downgrade it, but nothing to do with a chip. You would install the jailbreaking like you said by (USB).
I looked up this on ebay. These go for around $50-$80. Are they really worth that? I was curious and is that downgrade tool all what you need to jailbreak a ps3? I am trying to learn more about ps3 modding as I am an Xbox 360 modder. When it comes to Xbox 360 you need a nand writer and a mod chip to "jailbreak" it. Do ps3s need to have a mod chip installed? I heard you can actually jailbreak it through a USB. Here is what a mod chip looks like when "jailbreaking" an Xbox 360:
P.S. I say jailbreak so you ps3 people would understand. But when it comes to Xbox 360 it's called Jtag or RGH.
No, you do not need a chip. If you are on the latest version you would have to get a E3 Flasher so you could downgrade it, but nothing to do with a chip. You would install the jailbreaking like you said by (USB).
If your ps3 is 3.55 OFW you can "Jailbreak" it. if not you will need an e3 flasher witch can be used to downgrade your ps3 and upgrade it back to ofw then down again as you please. they only work on certain models for example the super slim are unhackable if you need more info on the models and shit look at the pictures I posted here
https://www.mpgh.net/forum/showthread.php?t=893503