Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

IBM's Cell Processor — Not Just for PS3 Anymore

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the processor-before-the-games dept.

TechFreep writes to tell us that IBM has released a new line of QS20 Blade Servers based on the processor they developed for the Playstation 3. From the article: "Today IBM announced a new line of high-powered QS20 Blade Servers intended for use in seismic research, encryption, digital image rendering and military surveillance applications. Each QS20 will include two nine-cored Cell Processors clocked at 3.2Ghz apiece, which were developed along with Sony and Toshiba for Sony's upcoming Playstation 3 console. As Playstation 3 isn't scheduled for release until November, the QS20 will mark the first application in which the highly-touted Cell will be available to consumers."

10 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by Doytch · · Score: 4, Funny

    Aint that the truth. The damn things aren't even being built yet.

  2. Now imagine a... by Kesch · · Score: 2, Funny

    Beowulf cluster of these.

    Oh, wait. I suppose this will be close enough.

    --
    If this signature is witty enough, maybe somebody will like me.
  3. Different markets by Cybert4 · · Score: 2, Funny

    Do you want your nuclear test performed with the same chip that's used to play Spiderman X? There are a lot of decisions with regards to redundancies, ECC, and so on that go into a design. If it was concieved as a chip for the playstation, you could end up with problems later.

    But I do hope it works. This kind of thing would be great for neural implants on the way to the singularity.

    1. Re:Different markets by jamstar7 · · Score: 3, Funny
      Nope. It was concieved as a component for massively parallel processing, but using it in the playstation was the only way to get the volume production that I need to get the kind of reliability I want for my nuclear simulations.

      OK, lemme see if I get this right...

      I buy a PS3. Hook it to the net. Leave it on 24/7. Your nuke simulating supercomputer comes over the net & scams spare cycles off of me a la SETI@Home.

      Did I miss anything?

      --
      Understanding the scope of the problem is the first step on the path to true panic.
  4. High availability by Doctor+Memory · · Score: 4, Funny
    the highly-touted Cell will be available to consumers.
    Sure, as long as you're spying on someone else's armed forces, analyzing their armaments via seismograph and taking pictures that you then encrypt to send to your superiors. Bet they'll be backordered for the holidays!
    --
    Just junk food for thought...
    1. Re:High availability by jthill · · Score: 4, Funny

      Cool. What's the working title on THAT game?

      --
      As always, all IMO. Insert "I think" everywhere grammatically possible.
  5. I see by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    Clearly this is bad news for Sony.

    For some reason I haven't figured out yet.

  6. Re:this is great by adisakp · · Score: 1, Funny

    Embedded systems could really use a processor like this. Like my toaster

    Sony plans on developing a toaster with a CELL Processor. It will have DRM and only toast Sony brand bread though which will come in an odd size and cost twice as much as any other bread.

  7. Re:Mac OSX? by geekoid · · Score: 3, Funny

    "Anyone else expect to see a Mac OSX Xserve running these babies in 2008?"

    nope.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  8. Re:Lost in the noise is the dying Sun. by Mateito · · Score: 2, Funny
    When will Mattel and Hasbro start selling their own supercomputers?

    Cool. A supercomputer that turns into a robot OR a jet-fighter!

    --
    Norman Cook's Ode to Sl