IBM, Sony and Toshiba today unveiled the mitochondria that powers their new Cell architecture—set to propel the PS3 to new heights of awesomenosity. Focusing on the ability to spread work out over (as many as) nine cores on a single chip, they bring the migration of the computer industry to a multi-core system to the forefront. Still, part of me wonders if this will soon become a blades-per-razor competition, trying to cram as many as they can on the pinprick of space they have. Four years worth of work has produced what they’re referring to as “synergistic processing elements”.
From MacCentral: “The cores can support multiple operating systems and programming models through the use of virtualization technologies.” What may be gamers’ hopes for a powerhouse Playstation, however, might be a developer’s struggle—rumors abound on how much of a bitch this will be to program and see any benefit from (the PS2 was notoriously fussy to program, although we’ve been told the PS3 isn’t nearly as bad). More coverage from the net after the jump.
PS3 Cell chip aiming high Sony will need to optimize the final product to get anything out of grid computing. [Afterdawn]
Cell architecture to be detailed tonight IBM outlines architecture details of the chip for the PS3 [GamesIndustry]
IBM, Sony, Toshiba Present Cell Pictures of the unveiled Cell processor [Electronics Weekly
PS3 Power: Details on Cell In depth look at the latest details [IGN]
Cell chip design: The start of a new computing era? Watch IHT discuss an emerging “computing ecosystem” from the Cell [IHT]
