Archive for April, 2005

In-Stat has a new report about IBM and Sony’s Cell processor. Cell is targeted for broadband media and graphics for the next generation of applications, like in the PlayStation 3. Kevin Krewell, an analyst for In-Stat, says “Some have called Cell an Intel killer, which is completely ridiculous.” He goes on to say that the only competition the Cell will give Intel is in PS3 vs Media Center PC space.

Which, well, kinda makes sense. The Cell is targeted to different audience than a Pentium is. It’s not like Sony will sell general purpose Cell-based computers. And it’s not like the Pentium is going into any next-generation consoles. IBM has that space sewn up (all three platforms will use IBM processors). While it has been reported that IBM and Sony may sell Cell-based workstations, I doubt that it’ll happen. Even if it does, it’ll be a highly specialized machine – for creating PS3 video games perhaps.

The fact remains that the Cell is a mighty powerful processor. And it’s going into the PS3. And the PS3 will be High-Def. That’s all I care about.

Link: In-Stat – IBM’s Cell Processor Impressive, But Not an Intel Killer

Toshiba has shown a film that shows the Cell processor simultaneously decoding 48 MPEG2 streams at the same time. I didn’t know that the cell processor was in production, even in samples, and this article doesn’t mention if this was a simulation or the real thing. But it heavily suggests the latter. If this is indeed the case, this is quite an accomplishment. Has Sony said how many of these processors will be in the PS3? Hmm….

Link: Tech On! – Toshiba Demonstrates Cell Simultaneously Decoding 48 MPEG-2 Streams

The above article also links to another article – an interview with Sony’s Ken Kutaragi about the cell processor.

Link: Tech On! – Interview With Ken Kutaragi