PS3 Cell Chip Unveiled

[asmithz]

Today, at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) held in San Francisco, IBM, Sony and Toshiba disclosed in detail, for the first time, the breakthrough multi-core architectural design - featuring supercomputer-like floating point performance with observed clock speeds greater than 4 GHz - of their jointly developed microprocessor code-named Cell.

Cell's breakthrough multi-core architecture and ultra high-speed communications capabilities deliver vastly improved, real-time response for entertainment and rich media applications, in many cases 10 times the performance of the latest PC processors.
Among the highlights of Cell released today:
* Cell is a breakthrough architectural design -- featuring eight synergistic processors and top clock speeds of greater than 4 GHz (as measured during initial hardware testing)
* Cell is a multicore chip capable of massive floating point processing
* Cell is OS neutral and supports multiple operating systems simultaneously

We all knew the chip would be more then 4ghz, but it great to know it is possible. :D

[Guyver]

WoW

:D :D :D

[Busyman]

I heard many accolades before the PS2 came out. All of a sudden no groundbreak.

The PS3 is all hype until I see it. Not a whole lot I can say wow about until then.

Floating point processing can kiss my ass. :dry:

[sArA]

A source would be nice too....for further investigation :)

[cpt_azad]

ya we all knew but like smith said, confirmation is sweetness lol :01:

[Shiranai_Baka]

try digg.com. also, the chip runs at insanely high temps.. I remember seeing a sign with the chip's name and the operating temps.. they were at 60+C

[cpt_azad]

60+ :ohmy: wow that's pretty high, what i'm wondering is how the PS3 is going to integrate the cooling system and still keep the system small enough (hopefully smaller than the ps2).

[HCT]

thats too much power for a gamming system

[silent h3ro]

thats too much power for a gamming system Theres never too much power. :01:

[ApacNTS]

well they want to put microsoft in the dirt, so that'd just about do it. 4 times the power of xbox, and probably double xbox "360". now if only they could make a game that actually used it, looking at mk:deadly alliance, im reminded of nintendo 64 :-p

[silent h3ro]

well they want to put microsoft in the dirt, so that'd just about do it. 4 times the power of xbox, and probably double xbox "360". now if only they could make a game that actually used it, looking at mk:deadly alliance, im reminded of nintendo 64 :-p Yea ur right they are trying to make a more pwerful console like the Xbox was.

[SingaBoiy]

well they want to put microsoft in the dirt, so that'd just about do it. 4 times the power of xbox, and probably double xbox "360". now if only they could make a game that actually used it, looking at mk:deadly alliance, im reminded of nintendo 64 :-p
As I can remember, the ps2 chip is 233 MHz. So this would be nearly 40x as fast. You assume that Microsoft cant come up with just as much as an increase in performance as Sony? :huh:

[colt45joe]

As I can remember, the ps2 chip is 233 MHz. So this would be nearly 40x as fast. You assume that Microsoft cant come up with just as much as an increase in performance as Sony? :huh:

have they already release the next xbox's specs? will probably be equal or maybe even more than ps3's chip..

[silent h3ro]

have they already release the next xbox's specs? will probably be equal or maybe even more than ps3's chip.. I thought the Xbox would come in 3 different models (varying in speed?).

[asmithz]

Xbox will have 3 processors that will probly equal the speed of the one chip (cell) that sony has.

Sources for artical are TeamXbox.com and GamesIndustry.biz.

@busyman, when did sony say the ps2 will run at 4ghz? They said it will be a break thogh, and it was at the time of release.

[cpt_azad]

ya no doubt xbox 360 (god i hate that name so much) will be equal to or more than the ps3's proc. i say this because well no one really knows for sure how fast the PS3 will be and how fast teh xbox 360 will be, too far away to tell. so just wait till sony and microsoft officially realease info.

[3RA1N1AC]

As I can remember, the ps2 chip is 233 MHz. So this would be nearly 40x as fast.
eh. clock speed is not a goal in and of itself. it doesn't indicate anything at all when you're comparing two totally different processors, 'cause they do different amounts of work per cycle (hz). what you really should be looking for is a comparison of how much work the chip accomplishes, not just how many cycles per second it does.

suppose one person is able to walk from point A to point B in a certain amount of time, and he can carry 100 pounds. suppose another person can walk from point A to point B twice as fast, BUT he can only carry 50 pounds. is the second person actually doing more work than the first person? efficiency is equally as important as speed, if not more important.

of course the cell chip will do more work than a ps2, but its clock speed does not indicate HOW MUCH more. "woot 4 point whatever gigahertz" doesn't tell me anything except that it'll prolly need a loud-ass fan to vent the heat. :P

[Adster]

who cares about speed and shit all that matters is quality of the games which xbox don't have for me

[cpt_azad]

and ps2 does :huh: ?

[SingaBoiy]

eh. clock speed is not a goal in and of itself. it doesn't indicate anything at all when you're comparing two totally different processors, 'cause they do different amounts of work per cycle (hz). what you really should be looking for is a comparison of how much work the chip accomplishes, not just how many cycles per second it does.

suppose one person is able to walk from point A to point B in a certain amount of time, and he can carry 100 pounds. suppose another person can walk from point A to point B twice as fast, BUT he can only carry 50 pounds. is the second person actually doing more work than the first person? efficiency is equally as important as speed, if not more important.

of course the cell chip will do more work than a ps2, but its clock speed does not indicate HOW MUCH more. "woot 4 point whatever gigahertz" doesn't tell me anything except that it'll prolly need a loud-ass fan to vent the heat. :P
Yes, I know this. I was making a point towards his comment ;)

@Adster - what type of games do you like?

[cpt_azad]

Adster prob. doesn't like FPS games, in which case yes, the PS2 is more superior (except for GTA3 and Vice City, they're are far better on the xbox). I'm just guessing here, I'm not implying anthing.

[Adster]

and ps2 does :huh: ?

FOR ME yes

but each individual is different

[asmithz]

I was watching Thescreensavers and they were talking about the cell chip today. Samething were talking about. They were saying that the processor will make games more like a cgi movie then crappy pixels and jagged lines.

[cpt_azad]

I was watching Thescreensavers and they were talking about the cell chip today. Samething were talking about. They were saying that the processor will make games more like a cgi movie then crappy pixels and jagged lines.


I also read this somewhere. They were saying how PS3's games will be a lot like CGI cutscenes, honestly if that's the case, I can't wait. And this just makes me scratch my head and wonder, WTF does Microsoft have up their sleeves :wacko: :ermm:

[freak]

You guy's also forget that sony wanted to put 4 cell chips in the ps3. So it would be four Cell chips running in tandem, so that would put the ps3 past 1 Terraflop.

[Adster]

I also read this somewhere. They were saying how PS3's games will be a lot like CGI cutscenes, honestly if that's the case, I can't wait. And this just makes me scratch my head and wonder, WTF does Microsoft have up their sleeves :wacko: :ermm:


money

[Gre1]

Shit technology is going to keep growing in a minute we will be able to put r selves into the games and play that will be the day huh.

[Adster]

Adster prob. doesn't like FPS games, in which case yes, the PS2 is more superior (except for GTA3 and Vice City, they're are far better on the xbox). I'm just guessing here, I'm not implying anthing.

corrrrrrrrrect

yeah pretty much right

[Busyman]

@busyman, when did sony say the ps2 will run at 4ghz? They said it will be a break thogh, and it was at the time of release.
Ya gotta read man. I never said squat about 4ghz.

The PS2 was a good system at the time and even the hype mobile about it running some server crap or it being a security breach or some shit.

ALL HYPED UP :shit:. :dry:

On another note, most folks that rag on Xbox, have barely played the system.

When I hear folk say it has no good games then I know they do not know what they are talking about....especially when many good PS2 games are also.....Xbox games...but unrefutably better. :dry:

[HCT]

does anybody know what its going to be the price for the ps3 or Xbox 360 or at least have an estimate?

[Busyman]

does anybody know what its going to be the price for the ps3 or Xbox 360 or at least have an estimate?
$300

[HCT]

that is not that expensive

[Peerzy]

$300


Thats £150, PS2 lanched at £250 and Xbox at £300, Gamecube was £150. Do you expect a piece of hardware as advanced as PS3 will be sold for half the price of PS2 and Xbox?

[cpt_azad]

it'll be way more than 300 bucks. i'm guessing around 500 (just like when PS2 came out or right b4 it came out ppl were speculating).

[Adster]

.

When I hear folk say it has no good games then I know they do not know what they are talking about....especially when many good PS2 games are also.....Xbox games...but unrefutably better. :dry:

would you like me to name about 20 games I have X BOX don't

[Xilo]

it'll be way more than 300 bucks. i'm guessing around 500 (just like when PS2 came out or right b4 it came out ppl were speculating).
PS2 was $300 when it came out. I should know. My mom camped out at Target all night to get me one...

[Shiranai_Baka]

500? sales aren't going to go good that well...

[Adster]

PS2 cost me $700 when it first come out for me

[Smith]

I bet its going to be expensive like a computer :(

I remember my friend paying close to 700$ when he had ps2 on pre order

[silent h3ro]

PS2 cost me $700 when it first come out for me Hot damn. :ohmy:

[SingaBoiy]

PS2 was $300 when it came out. I should know. My mom camped out at Target all night to get me one...
Thats when it came into retail stores in the US ;)

It cost more then that when it first was available for sale. ;)

[asmithz]

Xbox 360 (without a hard drive) will be around $400
Xbox 360 (with a hard drive) will be around $500
Xbox 360 (PC Version) tba

So the PS3 should be around $400 to compete with the xbox 360.

[Adster]

Hot damn. :ohmy:


well it did come with a memory card which are $70 each

[silent h3ro]

well it did come with a memory card which are $70 each jeez thats not right. :(

[cpt_azad]

Xbox 360 (with a hard drive) will be around $500

fux0rz

[Adster]

jeez thats not right. :(

yeah I know but in american money $70 aus is probaly about say 50??

[Timz]

they better have sum crazy good games if the thing is gonna cost 500+.

[Busyman]

Thats when it came into retail stores in the US ;)

It cost more then that when it first was available for sale. ;)

Well then it was $300. :huh:

If the equivalent was more than that in Japan...well that's not $300.

[Busyman]

Xbox 360 (without a hard drive) will be around $400
Xbox 360 (with a hard drive) will be around $500
Xbox 360 (PC Version) tba

So the PS3 should be around $400 to compete with the xbox 360.
All speculation. :dry:

[cpt_azad]

Well no shit, it's not out yet, everything is speculation at this point.

[Adster]

yes and we Will be speculating for 2 more years

[Busyman]

Well no shit, it's not out yet, everything is speculation at this point.
No not really. Companies do announce prices before they actually come out. :blink:

The thing is...these haven't been announced.

$400 is out of mass price range. I don't think it's good speculation and even. :unsure:

[asmithz]

Well no shit, it's not out yet, everything is speculation at this point.


:lol:

I said it should, i didnt say it would

PSP was speculated to be $150, now its $300.

[Busyman]

:lol:

I said it should, i didnt say it would

PSP was speculated to be $150, now its $300.
.......which proves speculation means squat.

I guess it's fun for some. :unsure:

[asmithz]

.......which proves speculation means squat.

I guess it's fun for some. :unsure:

OR that is it what is getting trown around in the press, and thats all we know. Thats what there saying, i am not. We dont have a clue what they make it.

Heres the CNN artical

http://money.cnn.com/2005/01/06/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm

[Cheese]

Thats £150, PS2 lanched at £250 and Xbox at £300, Gamecube was £150. Do you expect a piece of hardware as advanced as PS3 will be sold for half the price of PS2 and Xbox?

Face it Peerzy, we'll get ripped off no matter what price it is in america. You can convert it from $ to £ and then just add another 50-100 quid. They don't call it rip-off Britain for nothing.

[Peerzy]

Face it Peerzy, we'll get ripped off no matter what price it is in america. You can convert it from $ to £ and then just add another 50-100 quid. They don't call it rip-off Britain for nothing.

Yepper, computer hardware is also much more expensive. An ATI 9800 is like $130 which is roughly £70. We pay £130 which is roughly $200 for it :dry: , hopefully the systems will be multi region like the Xbox and we can import them earlier and cheaper than UK stores will have them.

[Illuminati]

Face it Peerzy, we'll get ripped off no matter what price it is in america. You can convert it from $ to £ and then just add another 50-100 quid. They don't call it rip-off Britain for nothing.

Unfortunately true :( Question is who rips us off - The manufacturer, the retailer or the government.

From what I can tell, it's all three :(

[Busyman]

Unfortunately true :( Question is who rips us off - The manufacturer, the retailer or the government.

From what I can tell, it's all three :(
I say we all leave Britain...come on WHO'S WITH ME!!! :w00t: :01:

:shifty:

[asmithz]

I say we all leave Britain...come on WHO'S WITH ME!!! :w00t: :01:

:shifty:

Got this from some site dont know if it true, but looks like it

http://www.xboxzone.co.kr/news/2005_02/284_2.jpg

Thats the size of the chip