Cell Processing: Price & Date for PCs?

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    Cell Processing
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the anticipated release of cell processing technology, specifically its availability and pricing for personal computers. Participants explore the implications of this technology for computing performance, particularly in relation to gaming and media applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses interest in the timing and pricing of cell processors for personal computers, indicating a desire to build a new computer before college.
  • Another participant mentions that cell chips are expected to be available soon, with potential integration into HDTVs and PCs, citing sources about Sony and IBM's involvement.
  • A post references an IBM announcement regarding a workstation featuring the cell chip, expected to be available later in the year.
  • Concerns are raised about the use of the term "supercomputer" in marketing, with one participant arguing that the cell chip, while powerful, does not compete with the world's top supercomputers.
  • One participant expresses skepticism about the chip being used in Windows-based PCs.
  • A participant expresses a strong desire for the chip, highlighting its potential for performing multiple calculations simultaneously, which they believe would significantly enhance their computing capabilities.
  • Another participant questions whether the cell processor would improve tasks like rendering and media-related projects.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the availability and pricing of cell processors for PCs, with some expressing optimism about their imminent arrival while others remain skeptical about their compatibility with existing systems.

Contextual Notes

Some statements rely on speculative timelines and the definitions of technological terms, such as "supercomputer," which may vary over time and context. The discussion includes varying opinions on the practical applications of the cell processor.

Tom McCurdy
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I have been reading about the new cell processing that would be used for the PS3. I was wondering when it would be available for regular computers and what price range you think it would be in. I was hoping to build a very nice computer before I go off to college next year, but I am kind of against investing in a computer right before the biggest processor revolution in a long time. Does anyone know any price/date it may be released?
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
Price range: Dont Know
Availablity: Soon, I read on /. that they were looking to have these chips in HDTV this year, and therefore will probably be in PC's soon since both SOny and IBMare working on the project
 
From the BBC news article:

And while marketing speak describes the chip as a "supercomputer" - it remains significantly slower than the slowest computer on the list of the world's top 500 supercomputers.

Why do they put technologically-illiterate journalists on assignments about technology?

Of course, a single chip is not going to compete against any of the world's top 500 massively-parallel, 8,000+ processor behemoths. Since when did anyone expect their PlayStation console to compete with the greatest computing machines ever built by mankind?!

As of 2002, the US Department of Defense currently defines the word "supercomputer" as any machine capable of at least 190 GTOPS (billions of theoretical operations per second). This single chip beats that by about 30%. The term "supercomputer" is quite a bit misleading -- a supercomputer is not necessarily one of the world's most capable computers. Instead, a supercomputer is any machine which has sufficient capability to make the Department of Defense wary of allowing its possession by hostile countries. The bar continues to be raised as technology advances. The export rules are simply to protect an American technological lead of a few years over its potential enemies. It's likely that, in a year or two, the Department of Defense will up the ante, and this Cell chip will no longer be classified as a "supercomputer."

- Warren
 
I highly doubt it'll be on any windows based pc's.
 
chroot said:
As of 2002, the US Department of Defense currently defines the word "supercomputer" as any machine capable of at least 190 GTOPS (billions of theoretical operations per second). This single chip beats that by about 30%.


I want. Bad.

Just the ability to run ten calculations simultaneously would be huge for me. Absolutley huge. I want one.
 
Last edited:
Wouldn't this greatly help with things such as rendering? or media related projects?
 

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