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IEEE Spectrum On The PS3 Learning Curve
An anonymous reader writes "The Insomniacs is the cover article in the December issue of IEEE Spectrum, discussing developers ramping up to the PS3 hardware. The article features Insomniac Games, who developed the PS3 launch title Resistance: Fall of Man. Despite mixed reports in the press, the Insomniac folks are delighted to be working with Sony's technology, and describe the process of helping to make or break a console launch." From the article: "Despite the delays, there's something inside the PS3 that burnished Sony's reputation as a hardware company. The heart of the machine is the powerful new Cell Broadband Engine microprocessor. Developed over the last five years by Sony, IBM, and Toshiba on a reported budget of $400 million, the Cell is not just another chip: it is a giant leap beyond the current generation of computer processors into a nextgen muscle machine optimized for multimedia tasks."
I think we all should just wait and see what this cell CPU is capable of, just like the "emotion engine" it was laughed at but did fairly well (imagine for example "Hitman: blood money" coming out when the Ps2 was released :)). Also don't expect games from (EA, Ubisoft) to be using all of playstation3's power as they will probably write it in a generic way so it can be ported around from crapbox360 to playstations3 and visa versa.
"the RSX is basically a 7900."
What an idiot.
The PS3's graphics system is a hybrid design where you have massive geometry transforming power on the Cell side connected to massive pixel painting power on the RSX side. Only a fucking idiot would talk about 'the GPU in the PS3'. PS3 engines are designed to load balance between the to halves of the rendering hardware(Cell/RSX) depending on the nature of the currently displayed scene composition. Cell is used for the majority of transform operations, but RSX can do so to a lesser extent. And RSX is used for the majority of pixel painting tasks, but Cell is able to do so to a lesser extent.
Every fucking clown with a pc now thinks he has the competence to run his mouth off about console hardware. Please keep your dimwitted mouth shut about shit you have no clue about.
LOL, some fanboy trying to claim the PS3 costs $599. Who the fuck do you think you are impressing with your bullshit?
The PS3 costs $499.
Go buy your fucking Wii and its shitty graphics and gimmick controller imbecile. No one cares.
Whoa! A professional programmer on Slashdot!
Yeah, it's amazing, isn't it? Please let us in on your secrets Mr. Programmer! Even though I bet you develop crap in VB.NET or Java, I really want to know your opinion of the Cell because you can PROGRAM!!!!1111 which we all know is a dark art restricted to all but the most brilliant people on the planet!
I live in awe of your 31337 VB sk1llz. Please tell me how to live my life next. k thx bye.