PS3 CELL Processor Unveiled

[NikolaX]

IBM, Sony, and Toshiba today revealed the first technical details of the "Cell" processor (http://home.businesswire.com/portal...d=news_view&newsId=20041129005370&newsLang=en) that will be used as the main processor for the Playstation 3 console :

Specifically, the companies confirmed that Cell is a multicore chip comprising a 64-bit Power processor core and multiple synergistic processor cores capable of massive floating point processing. Cell is optimized for compute-intensive workloads and broadband rich media applications, including computer entertainment, movies and other forms of digital content.

Other highlights of the Cell processor design include:

-- Multi-thread, multicore architecture.

-- Supports multiple operating systems.

-- Substantial bus bandwidth to/from main memory, as well as companion chips.

-- Flexible on-chip I/O (input/output) interface.

-- Real-time resource management system for real-time applications.

-- On-chip hardware in support of security system for intellectual property protection.

-- Implemented in 90 nanometer (nm) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) technology.

Additionally, Cell uses custom circuit design to increase overall performance, while supporting precise processor clock control to enable power savings.

Another press release(http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=76754) announcing that the first workstation prototype using the Cell processor has been created with claims that one rack of a Cell-processor-based workstation will reach a performance of 16 teraflops or trillions of floating point calculations per second. The first pilot production of Cell chips will start in the first half of 2005.

 

[blahblahblah]

I was under the impression that the cell processor was to be an important part of the PS3. Based off of the time frame giving, I don't think it will be in the PS3.

I wonder what the clockspeed is on the cell processor, or how much heat it outputs as well.

 

[NikolaX]

Interesting "multiple operating systems"
XP ?
Mac OS ?
hmm

btw nice numbers "16 teraflops" :rolling:

 

[Asus]

I'd like to see another technical look at the Cell CPU. Always interested.

 

[[Matt]]

Specifically, the companies confirmed that Cell is a multicore chip comprising a 64-bit Power processor core and multiple synergistic processor cores capable of massive floating point processing.

That bit in bold made me sit up and take note... Floating point calculations are the basis for 3d polygonal rendering. Makes you wonder what the PS3 ISN'T able to do?

 

[OCybrManO]

The number they give (16 teraflops) refers to a prototype of a "Cell-processor-based workstation." Do I care about workstations? No. How many flops will an actual PS3 be able to crank out? If that gets 16 teraflops I'll be flabbergasted... and I don't oft use that term.

I was under the impression that the cell processor was to be an important part of the PS3. Based off of the time frame giving, I don't think it will be in the PS3.

Last time I heard, even a 2006 release for the PS3 was questionable. They have working Cell processors and they're going to start a test production in a few months. So, they have well over a year to get the kinks worked out of the production process before they need to kick it into high gear. Plus, the people that are supposed to be making launch titles for the PS3 are probably already working on the game art even if they don't have a functional test system yet. Don't worry. It will all come together in time for a 2006 (or, at the latest, 2007) release.

 

[`unreal]

they are seriously putting overkill into consoles compared to every new generation console upgrades usually have - i wouldnt be suprised if these cost around £1000 at release lol. the nextbox has the next gen ATI chip, and THREE 3.4ghz or sumthing processors in them. i swear they were dual core or 64 bit or sumthing :S not sure.

mind you though im not complaining

 

[NikolaX]

PlayStation to be released in late 2005 or early 2006.

http://www.technewsworld.com/story/New-PlayStation-Chip-Is-Getting-a-Preview-38538.html

 

[Link]

Ohh, techie word I don't know. Alright, whats a teraflop

 

[`unreal]

a giga worth of gigaflops

 

[Link]

*Slaps 'unreal in the face with a gigaflop*

Whats a flop then? Any sexual innuendos will be laughed at and then ignored...

 

[Dirk Pitt]

FLOP = floating point operations per second.
Hence, a teraflop is one trillion ops per second.

Here's some info. . .

Blue Gene/L is a 33,000-processor prototype of a much larger $100 million system that will be delivered to Livermore, California

When fully assembled at Lawrence Livermore, Blue Gene/L will be a 130,000-processor system with an estimated peak performance of 360 teraflops, according to IBM.

 

[Link]

Cheers Dirk Pitt. Can a flop be translated into Ghz, or are they not comparable?

 

[Cole]

When fully assembled at Lawrence Livermore, Blue Gene/L will be a 130,000-processor system with an estimated peak performance of 360 teraflops, according to IBM.

I wanna play my games on that!