when will we see them in desktop PCs? from my VERY limited knowledge of their architecture, and my VERY limited understanding of their operation, i've summarized:

4ghz+
mem bandwidth: 25.6gb/s
i/o bandwidth: 76.8gb/s
256 gflops
power req: ~70w
lower heat generation than conventional CPUs

this is pretty damn impressive, right? and if sony can sell a PS3 for $600, and a lot of THAT cost is the blu-ray, it seems that the cost of cell processors is pretty low when it's all said and done

okay, i am probably just not up on the latest tech news, so any links would be appreciated...are there already plans for introducing processors/boards into the market? sony/toshiba/ibm have been developing this since 2000 (or 2002 when when the patent was filed IIRC) and the ps3 is the first consumer use...i'd love to think i could buy a processor and board a year from now

5/3/2007 4:40:27 PM

Quote :

"The architecture emphasizes efficiency/watt, prioritizes bandwidth over latency, and favors peak computational throughput over simplicity of program code. For these reasons, Cell is widely regarded as a challenging environment for software development.[5] IBM provides a comprehensive Linux-based Cell development platform to assist developers in confronting these challenges.[6] Software adoption remains a key issue in whether Cell ultimately delivers on its performance potential."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_microprocessor

5/3/2007 4:50:29 PM

you won't. Cells weren't designed to be desktop processors. You know how you most likely have a dual core CPU now, and 95% of your programs can't even take advantage of both cores? What do you think they're supposed to do with 8 or more cores? Cells are used in specialized applications that have specialized software written specifically for it. Not in a general use, open architecture PC.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_processor#Possible_applications

5/3/2007 4:52:12 PM

^ & ^^ does the ps3 actually take advantage of the processor, then? or is it just sony choosing to develop their own processor for manufacture in order to reduce cost AND be able to sell their processor for other consumer electronics?

5/3/2007 5:00:51 PM

It's up to the game developers for the PS3 to fully utilize the Cell. I imagine they're trying their hardest to do so.

5/3/2007 5:02:46 PM

sounds like the architecture was designed for focused applications (multimedia, imaging etc) and not for general use.

5/3/2007 5:08:26 PM

so then a couple of these guys would make a kick ass video card but a so-so computer?

5/3/2007 5:18:36 PM

I heard that sony's developer kit sucks ass and lacks any real support from sony... You'd think they'd have a developer software that can intelligently diverse the load to the cpu's but its easier said then done... I know I can see a huge leap to even achieve that. I mean code optimization takes a bit to do, now multiply that on 8 cores... (actually 7 since 1 is backup... well 6, since 1 is also for OS)

5/3/2007 6:05:10 PM

If you want to see the benefits of Cell, look at Folding@Home on the PS3 versus PC's.

5/3/2007 7:31:02 PM

^ that's what prompted this thread

5/3/2007 7:45:32 PM

too hard to code for to make everyday PCs out of

well, unless people like http://www.spectrum.ieee.org/print/4837 step it up a few notches

5/3/2007 10:16:36 PM

^ that's crazy cool

5/3/2007 10:43:16 PM

Quote :

"The GPU client is still the fastest, but it is the least flexible and can only run a very, very limited set of WU's. Thus, its points are not linearly proportional to the speed increase. The PS3 takes the middle ground between GPU's (extreme speed, but at limited types of WU's) and CPU's (less speed, but more flexibility in types of WU's). "

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070326-why-the-playstation-3-owns-the-pc-in-fh.html

5/3/2007 11:53:36 PM

^^^ after reading some of that article it talks about the problem of coding in parallel v. coding serially.

Wouldn't all these advancements in parallel also ease the transition into quantam computing?

5/4/2007 10:21:27 AM