PlayStation 3 processor unveiled (OMG!)

[Skinner]

I don't own a PS2; I have an Xbox. But I might have to switch platforms when this bad boy comes out. Read it and weep:

PlayStation 3 processor unveiled
The Cell processor, which will drive Sony's PlayStation 3, will run 10-times faster than current PC chips, its designers have said.

Sony, IBM and Toshiba, who have been working on the Cell processor for three years, unveiled the chip on Monday.

It is being designed for use in graphics workstations, the new PlayStation console, and has been described as a supercomputer on a chip.

The chip will run at speeds of greater than 4 GHz, the firms said.

By comparison, rival chip maker Intel's fastest processor runs at 3.8 GHz.

More...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4242447.stm

:scared:

[DrGonzoLives]

1. Microsoft = PWN3D

Sounds very, very nice....

[lazarus]

2. this rocks

"The PlayStation 3 is expected in 2006, while Toshiba plans to incorporate it into high-end televisions next year."

And we were planning to buy a Toshiba.

I don't think I'll wait, though. I need my BATV now.

[Kellanved]

3. Sony marketing as usual (exactly the same was used for the PS and PS2)

4 GHz are a frequency, not a "velocity ", nor a measurement of processing power. And while frequency and performance are correlated, they are only comparable within one chip family.
Anyway, the thermal problems alone will force Sony to run the chip with a far lower frequency for Home Entertainment consoles.


The specs sure are impressive, but say nothing whatsoever about the actual performance to be expected.


Besides: the "specs" are pretty much identical to the data published by IBM about the XBOX2 CPU.
Ok, with the exception of the "256 GFLOPS" - but I don't believe that one.

So: :shrug:

I still prefer this baby , despite it being far slower:

[Huckebein the Raven]

4. Can't wait for Gran Turismo 5 and the next GTA on this monster:

:headbang:

[NuttyFluffers]

5. *yawn* the smoke and mirrors phase people....

haven't we all been through this before a thousand times over?

ignore the hype and let the system come out in due time. drooling over vapor for too long leaves you with indigestion with the final product.

i play video games, not specs, and especially not projected ones at that. wait 'til it's tangible, with games, then we talk.

[slutticus]

6. Here's a very nice site about the Cell Processor

http://www.blachford.info/computer/Cells/Cell0.html

I say BRING IT!