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Eight PS3 'Supercomputer' Ponders Gravity Waves

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the because-you-can dept.

Jamie found a story about a inexpensive supercomputer being used by an astrophysicist to research gravity waves. The interesting bit is that the system is built using 8 PS3s. Since nobody is actually playing games on the system, it makes sense to use them for research projects like this, but I really wonder now what is defining 'Supercomputer'... I mean, a hundred PS3s sure, but 8? I think we are de-valuing the meaning of the word 'super' :)

7 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. Inexpensive, eh? by EveryNickIsTaken · · Score: 5, Funny

    I mean, a hundred PS3s sure, but 8? I think we are de-valuing the meaning of the word 'super' :) I think we are de-valuing the meaning of the word 'inexpensive' :)
    1. Re:Inexpensive, eh? by Rogerborg · · Score: 4, Funny

      If you thought that was childish, then this should drive you into a perfect fit of apoplexy.

      --
      If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
  2. Strange... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Noone has wished for a Beowulf cluster of these yet. Has the world order changed and no notification issued?

  3. Re:8 systems x 8 cores = by andphi · · Score: 4, Funny

    Should be enough for anyone

  4. Mystery solved by eaglesnax · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now we know who bought all the PS3s!

  5. Re:8 systems x 8 cores = by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 4, Funny

    64 cpu's. That seems supercomputerish enough for me.

    It depends. For those problems that fit within the PS3's cramped memory, this is a supercomputer. For those problems that don't, this is a set of 8 matching doorstops.

  6. 9 cores? by oblivion95 · · Score: 5, Funny
    They should have used 9 cores on the Cell. Then, they'd be using Seven of Nine.

    It's only six cores available to Linux per Cell processor on a PS3. One is reserved for the Game OS, and one is disabled to achieve a higher yield on fabrication.