'Inexact' Chips Save Power By Fudging the Math

Barence writes "Computer scientists have unveiled a computer chip that turns traditional thinking about mathematical accuracy on its head by fudging calculations. The concept works by allowing processing components — such as hardware for adding and multiplying numbers — to make a few mistakes, which means they are not working as hard, and so use less power and get through tasks more quickly. The Rice University researchers say prototypes are 15 times more efficient and could be used in some applications without having a negative effect."

Comments

3 years, 3 months, 9 days, 20.5 hrs ago

[oneiros27]

http://tech.slashdot.org/story/09/02/08/1716235/sacrificing-accuracy-for-speed-and-efficiency-in-processors

Of course, you might've been sacrificing speed for accuracy in that 3 year estimate.

(and for all of the nay sayers -- I could see this being great for monte carlo simulations or other modeling where you're dealing with so much imprecise inputs that minor error's not going to be significant)