Cell processor goes bye bye?

[Yeti2005]

Interesting article (http://www.maxconsole.net/?mode=news&newsid=37958) on MaxConsole about IBM stopping the cell line. So basically don't expect the PS4 to have the same chip (duh). Does this automatically kill PS3 BC on the PS4?

[menage]

They would kill that anyway

Fuckers

[KidCactus]

The article on MaxConsole is based on this one:

http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/11/23/ibm-halts-cell-processor-development/

That article now has an update saying:

"Update: It appears that the sourced article at Fudzilla isn’t quite the full story. Reading further into this, the original German story at Heise actually states that it’s only the planned successor to the current PowerXCell-8i processor, slated to have two PowerPC processors and 32 SPEs, that will not be released. There’s no specific mention that IBM are halting the development of other Cell processors in the report, and thus there’s every chance that the PS4 could still use some variant of the Cell. Hope this clears up this story somewhat."

[Yeti2005]

The article on MaxConsole is based on this one:

http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/11/23/ibm-halts-cell-processor-development/

That article now has an update saying:

"Update: It appears that the sourced article at Fudzilla isn’t quite the full story. Reading further into this, the original German story at Heise actually states that it’s only the planned successor to the current PowerXCell-8i processor, slated to have two PowerPC processors and 32 SPEs, that will not be released. There’s no specific mention that IBM are halting the development of other Cell processors in the report, and thus there’s every chance that the PS4 could still use some variant of the Cell. Hope this clears up this story somewhat."

That makes more sense. Developers had major issues developing for 7 SPEs. I can only imagine 32. Then again if it works, that could be a very powerful processor.

[Purple Santa]

They would kill that anyway

Fuckers

BC is big business now. Why give it away for free when so many are willing to pay for it.

[TheEpicOfTyler]

I would like to see what Naughty Dog could do with 32 SPE's. :eek:

[Ancalagon]

I'm more interested to hear about Cell's successors, if any, than its demise. Everyone knew Cell would get the boot one day - like all CPU architectures. The only question is, what will replace it?

My guess is some many core'd variant for the console space, and a lighter weight, power optimized but still 1-8 core (including SPE's) variant for the set top box/blu ray player type space.

There would also be an argument for making the lighter weight variant as similar to the current Cell as possible so your programmers dont tear their hair out.

[H.Bogard]

Reiterating what I've mentioned before in an old news post about Tomb Raider Underworld, this is the wrong path to take. Sure we'd all love to see what Square-Enix and Naughty Dog games would look like on 32 goddamn SPE's, but games like those will cost upwards of 50 million, take huge amounts of development time and will have a 30 day holiday window to recoup those costs.

The videogame industry will rot if game companies keep following this path. How about more refined, equally powerful... yet significantly easier to develop-for hardware instead? Do we really need 32 or 64 goddamn cores?

[Ancalagon]

Yeah, I'd agree, but then I was one of the few who never liked the design of the first Cell anyway, so consider me biased.

I would think next gen game consoles should have 4-8 general purpose cores, I suppose they could be SMT capable if its felt that running more threads at a time is necessary.

They could investigate integrating the CPU and GPU onto a single die if it results in cost savings I suppose. I reckon, with the Wii doing as well as it is, most console manufacturers will be keen to have a competitive advantage in terms price, performance, and Feature X, which for the Wii was its motion controller and user friendliness. Previously, it was mostly performance first, price relative to performance second, and first party games third (or first if you were a major fan). Now, with things the way they are, I think they will be more keen on designing a console that is "good enough" in terms of hardware and can still be marketed well, while also being cheap to make.

[Wraith]

IBM: We'll Keep Making Cell Processors As Long As Sony Needs Them (http://kotaku.com/5411248/ibm-well-keep-making-cell-processors-as-long-as-sony-needs-them) (Kotaku)Spokesperson Ron Favali returned our call and immediately assured us the PlayStation 3 was safe.

"As long as we have a contract with Sony we will continue to manufacture Cell processors for use in the Sony PlayStation."

So don't worry about Sony running out of chips anytime soon. IBM has them covered. As for the fate of the Cell processor technology? Well that will live on as well says Turek. "the core technology of the Cell processor will continue to proliferate throughout the IBM product line."

Turek wouldn't comment on upcoming product announcements regarding the future of the Cell.