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Possible PS3 OS Information

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the say-that-three-times-fast dept.

Ars Technica has some details they think are fairly reliable about the OS the PS3 will be using. From the article: "In fact, there was some question as to what such an OS would be doing with all that leftover horsepower. I think the answer is probably to be found in the interactive, real-time, user- and network-facing sides of the console's functionality. This includes not only the audio/video chat and IM referenced in the PS3 Portal rumor, but also the aforementioned DRM (for streaming and downloadable online content that might be dynamically integrated into the game experience) and security/privacy-related code. "

5 of 53 comments (clear)

  1. So, you can crank it up to "eleven"? by xxxJonBoyxxx · · Score: 3, Funny
    "PS3 games, at least initially, are not going to use all five or six available SPEs (remember, of the eight SPEs, one is disabled for yield purposes, a second is reserved for the system, and a third allegedly can be taken over by the system if it's needed)."

    So, you can crank it up to "eleven"?

  2. Re:Speculation or blatantly obvious? by Austerity+Empowers · · Score: 4, Funny

    They'll be telling us that Vista's gonna have menus and a pointer next...

    Not in Vista Basic, you'll need the upgrades for that...

  3. Where is the Devastator Cell? by Kamalot · · Score: 5, Interesting

    In the dawn of the PS3, the system specs were all powerful. The almighty Cell processor has 8 SPEs and would take advantage of other Cell processors on the network, such as those in your TV. It was kind of like Devastator, the processors combining to become even more powerful.

    Then we find out that Sony is having trouble making Cell chips with 8 working SPEs. So the PS3 is promised to only have 7 working SPEs for each system.

    Today we find out that the OS will always consume an SPE and has the right to abduct another when necessary. This reduces the potential number of SPEs that a developer can reliably count on for a game to use at all times is reduced to 5.

    The true power of the PS3 keeps being reduced the closer to launch it becomes. Additional features have already been dropped. How many more will evaporate before the PS3 becomes a real device you can go to the store and buy?

    "Cell will create a new extensible computing platform. A set-top box containing a Cell chip could, for example, combine to share processing power with a Cell-powered high-definition television to render the graphics of an animated movie."

    "A game console might use a chip with 16 cores, while a less complicated device like a set-top box would have a processor with fewer"

    "It will have the ability to do north of 1 trillion mathematical calculations per second, roughly 100 times more than a single Pentium 4 chip running at 2.5GHz."

    http://news.com.com/2100-1001-948493.html

    What went wrong on the way? Why do we now have a processor that isn't half what we were promised but is still a total bitch to program for?

    Don't you think someone should be asking these questions?

  4. Finally by thesnarky1 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Just what I always wanted! The ability to talk on AIM using two thumbsticks while fragging my way through a room full of badass monsters!

    --
    Want to find other gamers to play board and role playing game
  5. Homer Simpson's Car by Kamalot · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Think of a car manufacturer telling you about an upcoming sports car. The automobile will have 8 cylinders in a brand-new type of engine and will be faster than anything else on the road.

    A year goes by and the manufacturer is having trouble producing the brand-new engine with 8 working cylinders. Instead, they decide the sports car will only use 7.

    Now we find out that the fancy computer controlled car needs power to run the fuel-injectors, radio, On-Star and GPS system. As a result, the car will always occupy one cylinder of power and will have the option to abscond with another cylinder when it deems necessary.

    Your 8-cylinder powerhouse is now a 5-cylinder go-kart. Sure, it has a really fancy GPS system and radio, but what about those that wanted the super-car they were promised? The machine isn't focused on delivering the best driving experience possible, it has turned into a Homermobile, with a bluray player, the ability to download music and shows, 7 wireless controllers, cup holders, a coffee machine, and three horns that play "La Cucaracha".

    How about a company that focuses on doing something well, instead of trying to be everything to everyone?