IBM, Sony to detail \'Cell\' PS3 CPU February 2005

[Evi]

IBM, Sony and Toshiba - the three companies behind the \'Cell\' microprocessor - will formally detail the chip\'s workings at the International Solid State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) on 6 February 2005, the trio said today.

IBM and Sony also said they were now ready to announce the promised Cell-based workstation, which should enable software developers to begin coding for the PlayStation 3, itself set to be based on the new chip.

The partners describe Cell as a 64-bit POWER-based "multi-core system" for computers and next-generation digital home appliances. Crucially, each core can run a single operating system, or run their own OS independently of the others. OS options include real-time support.

With the confirmation that Cell is indeed derived from IBM\'s POWER architecture, and given they way the chip\'s designers discuss it more in terms of a general-purpose CPU than the more console-oriented Emotion Engine of the PS2, it\'s clearly going to raise the possibility that the part may be of interest to Apple.

And since IBM is also working on the CPU for Xbox 2/Xbox Next, there\'s the chance of a certain degree of software compatibility there too, though clearly the use of different high-level APIs will limit games and application portability.

The chip\'s makers note that Cell is not only a multi-core architecture - like the anticipated \'Antares\' PowerPC 970MP - but multi-threaded too, though it\'s not yet clear whether support for multiple threads takes places within each core level, HyperThreading-style, or Sony and co. are simply talking about spreading threads across cores. IBM\'s POWER 5 architecture supports simultaneous multi-threading, so it seems likely Cell will too.

IBM and Sony also talk about big memory and I/O bandwidth - no great surprise there, given it\'s a 64-bit processor and what IBM has demonstrated with existing POWER and PowerPC processors. More interesting is the integration of a security sub-system. The companies don\'t go into any detail, but it sounds not unlike VIA\'s PadLock technology with its hardware random number generator. Mention is made of "high-level media processing", which could be a reference to AltiVec, the PowerPC SIMD engine.

There\'s also the suggestion that Cell will use a SpeedStep-style power conservation technology, allowing the chip to reduced its clock frequency. IBM\'s 90nm PowerPC 970 already has something along these lines.

Contrary to past speculation that Cell would ship at 65nm, its makers today said it will debut as a 90nm part using IBM\'s SOI technology.

As for the Cell-based workstation, it\'s clearly only at the prototype stage, IBM and Sony having come up with an "experimental model".

Still, it packs 2 teraflops into a standard (presumably) rackmount box, apparently, with what sounds like multiple, multi-core chips operating as a kind of cluster-in-a-box configuration.

The Article

I don\'t know where they got the that info in bold info from, but whatever...

Anyway...this is good news

Sounds neat, you think these CPUs will crush anything AMD or Intel have to offer for the average PC?  Just a big "what if."  It would be nice to have another player in the CPU game.

[Evi]

I want a CELL powered Sony VAIO damn it!!

64bit? whats is the ps2? Im out of it. Im getting the GS and the EE confused etc.

Originally posted by Lord Nicon
Im getting the GS and the EE confused etc.

I. G-Spot
1. The Grafenberg spot is an area on the anterior or front wall of the vagina, between the opening and the cervix, which is often found to be extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is hypothesized that the G-spot is either
1) a bundle of nerves coming from the clitoris, or
2) a gland or series of glands that produces lubrication. It is thought to be perhaps analagous to the prostate gland in men.

Example use: That bitch had a g-spot orgasm and sprayed her juice all over my face.

I still have yet to find the sacred EE area on the feminine body.

Originally posted by THX
I. G-Spot
1. The Grafenberg spot is an area on the anterior or front wall of the vagina, between the opening and the cervix, which is often found to be extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is hypothesized that the G-spot is either
1) a bundle of nerves coming from the clitoris, or
2) a gland or series of glands that produces lubrication. It is thought to be perhaps analagous to the prostate gland in men.

Example use: That bitch had a g-spot orgasm and sprayed her juice all over my face.

I still have yet to find the sacred EE area on the feminine body.

THX, you crack me up. You silly man you.

[Evi]

Originally posted by THX
I. G-Spot
1. The Grafenberg spot is an area on the anterior or front wall of the vagina, between the opening and the cervix, which is often found to be extremely sensitive to stimulation. It is hypothesized that the G-spot is either
1) a bundle of nerves coming from the clitoris, or
2) a gland or series of glands that produces lubrication. It is thought to be perhaps analagous to the prostate gland in men.

Example use: That bitch had a g-spot orgasm and sprayed her juice all over my face.

I still have yet to find the sacred EE area on the feminine body.

And yes...the RUMORS are true. There IS in fact, a G-Spot being implemented into the core of the PS3 architecture. From now on...games will be orgasmic