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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."

4 of 184 comments (clear)

  1. I'm actually quite excited by HatchedEggs · · Score: 5, Informative

    Not necessarily about this announcement of course as most of us have seen it coming for some time. However, the concept of the core processor is quite strong and I think that it will play an important role in computing in the future.

    A little tid bit about all that: http://www.blachford.info/computer/Cell/Cell0_v2.h tml

    --
    Justin - Don't be afraid of my blog, it won't bite.
  2. Better info by marleyboy · · Score: 5, Informative

    Maybe take a peek at the Wiki entry about the cell processor for a good background of what it is capable of.

    --
    Neutiquam erro
  3. Misleading ... "developed for PS3" by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I think that stating that the Cell was "developed for PS3" is misleading. The processor, while certainly earmarked for the PS3, was designed all along to go into a full range of computing devices, PS3 was just the most visible (and likely to ship the most units initially). Saying it the other way makes it sound like the chip was developed exclusively for the PS3 and IBM is "just finding uses for it", which is not the case.

  4. Lost in the noise is the dying Sun. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Lost in the noise is the fact that the multi-core Cells are IBM's answer to Sun's chip multiprocessor (CMP) -- i.e., Niagara and Rock. Nothing about the CMP is new or unique. Academia has already done 10+ years of research on these beasts, and industry has ready access to the academic results.

    IBM already has a CMP. Both AMD and Intel will soon have CMPs. Here, CMP does not mean duo-core; CMP means at least 4 cores.

    The window of opportunity for Sun has now closed.

    What is ingenious about IBM is the fact that IBM is essentially using the R&D in its consumer-electronics division (that builds processors for game consoles and other toys) to advance R&D in the business-oriented high-performance-processor/high-end-server division. Building electronics for toys has actually strengthened non-toy products.

    When will Mattel and Hasbro start selling their own supercomputers?