The Potential of Science With the Cell Processor

prostoalex writes "High Performance Computing Newswire is running an article on a paper by computer scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. They have evaluated the processor's performance in running several scientific application kernels, then compared this performance against other processor architectures. The full paper is available from Computer Science department at Berkeley."

Comments

PS3 will rule in 2008

[Gax]

The Cell processor is interesting. Nintendo may dominate the 2006/7 market with cheap hardware, but the PS3 will gradually gain dominance as the price drops and people learn how to write for it.

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[Watson Ladd]

No. I think the PS3 will not have a large price drop until after the market is largely staturated. Enough about consoles!

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[CastrTroy]

The problem with the PS3 will be that it will take companies a lot of time and money to develop games for it. They won't do this until they know there will be enough consumers to buy their games. The consumers on the other hand, won't buy it unless there are good games for it. Kind of a catch 22 if you ask me. Nintendo's model on the other hand, is to make it really cheap and easy to design games for the Wii, so there isn't so much risk involved for the developers. There also isn't so much risk for the consumers, because the system itself is so much cheaper than the competition.

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[FatherOfONe]

Do you honestly believe that Sony won't sell all 6 million consoles at launch time?

Now the next question. Do you believe that they won't sell 20 million by the 2007 Christmas?

That is a huge install base. Remember that Sony at any time can lower the price of the PS3. If price ever truely becomes an issue, then they can adjust it. They will keep it as high as possible as long as possible.

Now on the other hand, it will probably never reach the price of the Nintendo, but then the Nintendo doesn't have HD, Blu-Ray or a hard drive. Those three options add cost, but will probably add significant value to a lot of games.

The way I see the console going is that Sony will dominate the 12 year old and up crowd. Microsoft will own a smaller percentage this time than with the XBOX, and Nintendo will own (as always) the 12 and under crowd.

Now what will the average slashdot/digg reader buy? Well those people generally hate Sony and Microsoft, but at the end of the day, they will buy the console with the best games they like. That will be Sony, and then I could see some of the Slashdot crowd actually tinkering with Linux on the PS3.

I am also curious to see what happens when the development kits get better for both the 360 and PS3. Creating an "easier" way to use the multi cores in those system will show the differences between all the consoles even more, and also display better how well (or poorly) the PS3 runs normal Linux stuff.

The last part of the puzzle is how cheap 1080P TV's will get in the next 5 years. It isn't out of the question to hook up a keyboard, mouse and "cheap" 1080P LCD or Plasma TV to a PS3 and have a computer. This is a giant leap forward for consoles, and Sonys first attempt to bridge the gap between console, computer and DVR type of device.

Time will tell if it will be a sucess or not, but one thing is certain. They will sell all the systems they can make this year and early next. People are asking every day now at EB if they can preorder the system. "If" Sony could make 20 million this year they would sell every one. I kind of wonder why they honestly don't raise the price up even more. It would suck for us gamers, but if I had a product that would max out my manufacturing for the next two years and I was sure I would sell every one I would make, then I would probably rethink my asking price. The only logic I see is that they don't want to anger the initial buyers if they have to lower the price next year for the second wave buyers. If I was Microsoft I would be very worried about the PS3. If I was Nintendo I would keep producing kids games and doing pretty much what they are doing, much like they did with the GameCube, the only difference is that I would try not to over "Mario" the system.

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[Lonewolf666]

The last part of the puzzle is how cheap 1080P TV's will get in the next 5 years. It isn't out of the question to hook up a keyboard, mouse and "cheap" 1080P LCD or Plasma TV to a PS3 and have a computer. This is a giant leap forward for consoles, and Sonys first attempt to bridge the gap between console, computer and DVR type of device.
If this is worthwile for users will depend a lot on how open the console is for third-party software. Usually consoles are designed to run only software licensed by the console vendor, and in some cases those vendors will even sue companies that offer modifications. An example where Microsoft went after XBox modders:
http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2002Oct/gam20021 004016641.htm

If Sony pulls a similar thing with the PS3, it will remain rather uninteresting as a computer unless they provide all the software an average user might want. Which I don't believe ;-)

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[nayten]

Your rant is juvenile. Check the facts-- not everyone who owns a nintendo is under 12. I didn't realise owning a game system that has more first-party titles than bloody, violent, car-robbing games and shitty budget titles constituted the age group for the console, but I digress. Your fuzzy statement of having BR, HD-DVD, and a HD doesn't offer much either. The 3D0 launched as one of the first 32-bit CD-based systems and it didn't help them. Also remember that the system launched at $799-- only $100 more than the PS3 is scheduled to. And whats up with this thing about buying these massive HDTVs? Most of us still have our good old standard television sets. Partially due to the price to upgrade, but also since it just doesn't do anything special. I highly doubt most people are looking forward to dump $700 on a new game console, then $2000 months later for a new tv to play UT2007 with. I could be wrong, though. (sarcasm) You also forget, that Nintendo is the only major console maker who doesn't LOSE money by loading up their consoles with bells and whistles, like hard drives and HD output. They also put out plenty of first-party titles. They're also the ones generating the most revenue off their products, based off what they put in. And that they should-- they've been in the business for over twenty years now. What it comes down to is, the gamers care about the games. Nintendo had plenty to deliver at E3, while Sony didn't. You really sound young, making all of these statements about console hardware. That's exactly the reason why rehashed shooter crap overflows my gaming magazines today.

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[Xymor]

lso remember that the system launched at $799-- only $100 more than the PS3 is scheduled to

according to Google: $799 - $599 = $200

Re:PS3 will rule in 2008

[FatherOfONe]

You are correct not every Nintenod owner is under 12. Most are. A very very large percentage of their current market and future demographics are targeted for just that audience.

HDTV, Blu-Ray, and a HD can and probably will add to the overall fun of a system. Significantly faster load time, better textures, and downloadable content just to name a few things.

"Most of us still have..." Yep, and you are probably not in the target market for a PS3... this year. Now what percentage of new TV's being sold are not HD ready? What percentage have been ready for the last 3 years? My point is that when 1080P TV's drop in price, and it won't take long... using a PS3 as a computer isn't out of the question.

You are correct about Nintendo not loosing money. Great for them, but bad for Nintendo buyers. They have to pay "full" price for a system that PS3 owners get a discount for.

Nintendo AND Sony are planning on 15 to 20 launch titles. Not bad for either console. You are also correct in saying Nintendo has been around for a while... So was Atari.... I wish them well.

Re:Xbox 2 is a "commodity"

[Adult film producer]

word,

John Carmack on PS3 vs 360

Metal Gear 4 demo vid.. 8 or 9 mins long, very cool.

No, it won't

[PackerX]

I'm going to disagree with you here. Here's my game system buying guide:

-I'll buy a DS Lite the day it comes out. There are several games I like and several more coming.

-I'll buy an XBox 360 when Splinter Cell comes out.

-I'll buy a PS2 as soon as I decide I can't go without playing Guitar Hero any longer.

-I'll pre-order a Wii (provided Twilight Princess remains a launch title)

-I do not see myself ever purchasing a PS3.

Each system offers me something. The DS gives me portability and a growing library of games, including some real gems. The XBox 360 gives me Live, wireless controllers, and games that I would like to play: Oblivion, Fight Night Round 3, etc. Wii is my only 'must-have' system. A low price, innovation, a lot of developer support, and established exclusive franchises. Not to mention the ability to play tons of SNES, NES, and Sega games. PS3 offers me... nothing. The only thing that would possibly entice me is the number of RPG's traditionally available on the PS systems, but I never bought a PS2 and the price was MUCH lower. Final Fantasy isn't worth $700 to me.

Every discussion I have had regarding consoles has ended the same way. People who don't have a 360 yet plan on getting one within the year, everyone wants the Wii, and the PS3 gets a big, "So what?"

The PS3 may have the hardware advantage, but that's all it offers. From a gaming perspective, Sony has yet to give me one good reason to spend my money on a console with technology that won't be fully utilized until about two years after release, a video disc format that won't be widespread until at least a year after release (if ever), and HD (which I don't have).

At least the scientists are getting something out of it. Now if Sony gave me a system that could do complex COMSOL models, I'd be interested.

Not the real issue

[argoff]

The real issue here has nothing to do with the performance and capabilities of the cell processor. The real issue is, can I make a copy, contract out my own fab, and make it without anyone elses permission. If I can, then it will be successfull, if I can't then it is just another proprietary technology that won't give the end user any real advantage over the long term - and thus no real reason to switch from more commoditized technologies.

Re:Xbox 2 is a "commodity"

[vertinox]

Wow, if nothing else the MGS4 demo has left me jaw dropped. That is some friggin high poly count. I was kind of doubtful of the PS3 thinking it would be just a Xbox 360, but that video looked awesome.

(Although, I dunno if it is still worth the price tag though)