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IBM Adds Videogame Console Chips to Mainframes

Posted by Zonk on from the this-story-has-about-everything-i-love-in-it dept.

GoIBMPS3 writes "Soon the powerful 'Cell' microprocessor that fuels Sony's PlayStation 3 console will be available in IBM mainframe computers. The intent is to allow high-performance machines to run complex online games and virtual worlds. 'The integration initially will be accomplished by networking the mainframe with IBM's Cell blades, but eventually the Cells will be plugged more directly into the mainframes via PCI adapter cards, IBM said. It's the latest twist in IBM's years-long effort to keep mainframes not only relevant but also cutting-edge. IBM is touting the partnership as an example of hybrid computing--a trend sweeping the high-performance computing industry as companies augment general-purpose servers with special-purpose chips that to accelerate particular tasks.'"

7 of 103 comments (clear)

  1. Also in the works: by TinBromide · · Score: 5, Funny

    IBM scrapped a wii-mote enabled server consoles for the management of online worlds.

    However the prototype was destroyed in a freak bowling/mountain dew/pizza accident.

    --
    Is it sad that I am more likely to recognize you and your posts by your sig than your name or UID?
  2. Flying Cars! by psydeshow · · Score: 5, Funny

    Someday, in the future, a computer the size of a small room will be possible!
    And it will be as powerful as today's most advanced videogames...

  3. For sale on Ebay by MillionthMonkey · · Score: 5, Funny

    I have a JCL script for a character I've been working on for months. He has five hundred hit points, six spells, a sword, a long sword, a battle axe, a print spool, and a suite of DB2 utilities.

    Pay for shipping and I'll send you the punch cards.

  4. Networks Ground to a Halt! by willie_nelsons_pigta · · Score: 4, Funny

    IT productivity took a plunge today on this announcement as millions of IT professionals stopped work dead in their tracks and began day-dreaming of the "after-hours" activities that they could get involved in.

    More news at 11.

  5. Cool... by R2.0 · · Score: 4, Funny

    I always wanted to use a pickup truck to bring my rig to a LAN party.

    (Actually, that's all bullshit. Don't play games, never been to a LAN party, don't know where to find one. But that's never stopped posting here before.)

    --
    "As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly." A. Carlson
  6. Finally! by backbyter · · Score: 4, Funny

    A machine that *might* be able to handle Aero.

  7. Re:Makes quite a bit of sense to me by Tim+Browse · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just what I remember though, I didn't devote much memory to it.

    That's ok - the PS3 designers didn't devote much memory to the Cell processors either.