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[gregor7777]

I'm tempted to call you names, but instead I'll give you a reasoned reply.
.

Why exactly would you resort to calling someone names over an internet discussion of chip fabrication?

 

[koam]

I did, because I knew the SDF wouldn't bother to enlighten me. They're too busy looking down their noses at everyone else.

Don't do that.

 

[SRG01]

Why exactly would you resort to calling someone names over an internet discussion of chip fabrication?

internetseriousbusiness.gif? :lol

 

[godhandiscen]

Sony tried to fight a battle in too many fronts. As good as the Cell might have been, they cannot roll out the fight for a share in the processor market if the only significant thing backing up your processor is a console. I expected to see VAIO computers running with Cell processors and the Linux OS by now after that elegant Speech by Kutaragi during 2005. The scenario of the Cell taking over Intel or even AMD was a just a dream.

Sony should have pushed for more software compatible with the Cell architecture and not only games.

 

[koam]

Sony tried to fight a battle in too many fronts. As good as the Cell might have been, they cannot roll out the fight for a share in the processor market if the only significant thing backing up your processor is a console. I expected to see VAIO computers running with Cell processors and the Linux OS by now after that elegant Speech by Kutaragi during 2005. The scenario of the Cell taking over Intel or even AMD was a just a dream.

I'm not sure about this. Linux officially supports Cell but would Sony be willing to go Linux only? That would cripple their Viao lineup, Linux is very niche. Unless they have a VIAO server solution that i don't know about? I'm fairly sure when Sony said that it would be used in computers they meant Linux Servers.

 

[MassiveAttack]

Sony tried to fight a battle in too many fronts. As good as the Cell might have been, they cannot roll out the fight for a share in the processor market if the only significant thing backing up your processor is a console. I expected to see VAIO computers running with Cell processors and the Linux OS by now after that elegant Speech by Kutaragi during 2005. The scenario of the Cell taking over Intel or even AMD was a just a dream.

??? You're referring to IBM here, not Sony. Further, don't confuse media reporting on CELL with IBM's internal projections for CELL.

 

[SRG01]

Sony tried to fight a battle in too many fronts. As good as the Cell might have been, they cannot roll out the fight for a share in the processor market if the only significant thing backing up your processor is a console. I expected to see VAIO computers running with Cell processors and the Linux OS by now after that elegant Speech by Kutaragi during 2005. The scenario of the Cell taking over Intel or even AMD was a just a dream.

But that's the problem right there; anyone who actually believed that the Cell processor would've made a desktop appearance by now were the real delusional ones who bought up the PR. Desktop computing is dominated by one and only one architecture only, and that's x86. No major software vendor in this market will be willing to rewrite their code for two architectures at this point in the game.

 

[gofreak]

Who else is using it? Links?

Both IBM and Mercury Computers offer Cell-based products - used by a variety of clients in a variety of fields. Toshiba will also be using Cell variants in products.

Sony tried to fight a battle in too many fronts. As good as the Cell might have been, they cannot roll out the fight for a share in the processor market if the only significant thing backing up your processor is a console. I expected to see VAIO computers running with Cell processors and the Linux OS by now after that elegant Speech by Kutaragi during 2005. The scenario of the Cell taking over Intel or even AMD was a just a dream.

Who's dream? Talk of competition with AMD or Intel obviously would only apply to those spaces Cell was engaged in..and in those spaces it is a compelling offering (e.g. HPC). No one at STI ever suggested a Cell in every desktop or the like.

Also, Linux does have native Cell support now.

Cell isn't going anywhere because Sony is no longer researching manufacturing techniques. I think some of you are reading way too much, way too incorrectly, into this news.

 

[godhandiscen]

But that's the problem right there; anyone who actually believed that the Cell processor would've made a desktop appearance by now were the real delusional ones who bought up the PR. Desktop computing is dominated by one and only one architecture only, and that's x86. No major software vendor in this market will be willing to rewrite their code for two architectures at this point in the game.

Well, tbh I never ate the crazy talk of Kutaragi, but I can bring up the many posts of Sony fans swearing it would be that way. I even remember laughing at some dude saying he wouldn't upgrade his PC until the Cell processors roll out.

 

[gofreak]

The key bit in the Reuters report I only latterly noticed:

While it is withdrawing from the joint R&D on technology, Sony said it would continue to work with Toshiba and International Business Machines Corp on design work for cutting-edge chips with 32-nanometre or narrower circuitry.

http://today.reuters.com/news/artic...1_T348222_RTRUKOC_0_US-SONY-SEMICONDUCTOR.xml

 

[Elios83]

In my opinion these actions confirm that with PS4 Sony will take an evolutionary approach on the technology front because all the foundations have been established with PS3 (Cell and Blu Ray mainly). They're probably co-designing a 32nm next gen Cell revision (to be finished in late 2010) and they will buy all the chips from IBM/Toshiba with considerably reduced investements on their side. I believe they will try to give a big gift to developers with full comptaibility with PS3 code on the new platform. It will be more interesting to see if the Wii lesson will influence their design going beyond the CPU and GPU.

 

[laserbeam]

In my opinion these actions confirm that with PS4 Sony will take an evolutionary approach on the technology front because all the foundations have been established with PS3 (Cell and Blu Ray mainly). They're probably co-designing a 32nm next gen Cell revision (to be finished in late 2010) and they will buy all the chips from IBM/Toshiba with considerably reduced investements on their side. I believe they will try to give a big gift to developers with full comptaibility with PS3 code on the new platform. It will be more interesting to see if the Wii lesson will influence their design going beyond the CPU and GPU.

Its really just Sony cutting losses and still getting to use the tech. Sony needs to trim the loses as much as they can and this is one step.

As far as next generations cell thats a no brainer really IBM has already been on record stating Nintendo and Microsoft both signed deals to use a Cell chip in next console.

 

[koam]

So Sony is working WITH Toshiba for the Cell but AGAINST them when it comes to HD movies?

 

[MightyHedgehog]

As far as next generations cell thats a no brainer really IBM has already been on record stating Nintendo and Microsoft both signed deals to use a Cell chip in next console.

No, I don't think that's correct at all. Ninty has no reason to use Cell and neither does MS.

 

[gofreak]

In my opinion these actions confirm that with PS4 Sony will take an evolutionary approach on the technology front because all the foundations have been established with PS3 (Cell and Blu Ray mainly).

I agree, but I think they would have done this whether they were manufacturing it themselves or not. They did a lot of leg work with PS3 Cell that should be leverageable in PS4.

As far as next generations cell thats a no brainer really IBM has already been on record stating Nintendo and Microsoft both signed deals to use a Cell chip in next console.

I'm pretty sure that was a mistake - I doubt either has finalised technology choices yet.

 

[Psychotext]

So Sony is working WITH Toshiba for the Cell but AGAINST them when it comes to HD movies?

Sony works with MS on tons of things, IBM and MS are direct competitors in a number of areas but work together on lot of things, Ford works with many competing manufacturers on car technology.

Welcome to business.

 

[SRG01]

In my opinion these actions confirm that with PS4 Sony will take an evolutionary approach on the technology front because all the foundations have been established with PS3 (Cell and Blu Ray mainly). They're probably co-designing a 32nm next gen Cell revision (to be finished in late 2010) and they will buy all the chips from IBM/Toshiba with considerably reduced investements on their side. I believe they will try to give a big gift to developers with full comptaibility with PS3 code on the new platform. It will be more interesting to see if the Wii lesson will influence their design going beyond the CPU and GPU.

It is in my opinion that 32nm for CMOS will never become commercially viable unless some drastic changes to the fabrication processes are made.