Cell shrunk to 45 nm :)

[spicynacho]

Cheaper, smaller, more energy efficient PS3's should be just around the corner...

SAN FRANCISCO — At an ISSCC session yesterday afternoon, IBM announced details of a smaller, lower-power version of the Cell BE processor that powers Sony's PlayStation 3. The Cell BE is currently fabricated on IBM's 65nm SOI process, but IBM will soon move the console chip onto the company's much-ballyhooed, next-generation 45nm high-k process.

The 45nm Cell will use about 40 percent less power than its 65nm predecessor, and its die area will be reduced by 34 percent. The greatly reduced power budget will cut down on the amount of active cooling required by the console, which in turn will make it cheaper to produce and more reliable (this means fewer warrantied returns). Also affecting Sony's per-unit cost is the reduction in overall die size. A smaller die means a smaller, cheaper package; it also means that yields will be better and that each chip will cost less overall.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...ll-follow.html

[bkbluray]

Nice! Sony seems to be making all the right moves these days.

[monkeytap]

Originally Posted by spicynacho

Cheaper, smaller, more energy efficient PS3's should be just around the corner...


http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post...ll-follow.html

well that can't be a bad thing.....

[mightypen]

Inevitable, but good news nonetheless.

this + ds3 + bc (not even full) and I will buy.

[FFObsessed]

I swear, Sony have got the best engineer's in the world. It's crazy how they've reduced so much of the PS3's cost so quickly.

[bageleaterkkjji]

aww man...now it will consume less power

[CptGreedle]

Great news! Smaller, cheaper PS3s will sell better and boost PS3 and Blu-ray sales.

[bageleaterkkjji]

Originally Posted by FFObsessed

I swear, Sony have got the best engineer's in the world. It's crazy how they've reduced so much of the PS3's cost so quickly.

its ibm but still intel has had 45nm processers that use way less energy and are way faster than the 65nm ones so a ps3 one isnt that suprising...what is suprising is that it isnt more powerful

[spicynacho]

Originally Posted by bageleaterkkjji

its ibm but still intel has had 45nm processers that use way less energy and are way faster than the 65nm ones so a ps3 one isnt that suprising...what is suprising is that it isnt more powerful

For the embedded devices world (as opposed to the intel/amd GHz race world) the standard operating procedure is to reduce the RPM's when switching gears rather than slamming on the throttle to keep hauling ass. Besides, for the life of the PS3, the 20 GB model will be the lowest common denominator all developers will be targetting and supporting.

[xtop]

ps2 in a psp, ps3 in a psp2??

[spicynacho]

Originally Posted by xtop

ps2 in a psp, ps3 in a psp2??

2 Playstations, 1 Cup?

[ezcobar411]

Originally Posted by xtop

ps2 in a psp, ps3 in a psp2??

That would be great. Hopefully that'd bring an end to constant talk of the DS. I hate the DS. lol

[Luis_A51]

I think its WAY too optimistic to expect smaller PS3s soon. Slimmer models usually come way later on to boost sales of an established product. A price drop right now would be more effective (putting it below the cost of a 360 is huge) and would let them keep that Ace for a while longer.

Plus it takes a lot of time to re-design a unit for a smaller space, and it makes the most sense for them to drop the price in the comming months, in anticipation for games like GTA4 and MGS4, as many PS2 owners will want to make an upgrade then.

[The Don]

Originally Posted by spicynacho

2 Playstations, 1 Cup?

:vomits:

[DetroitSportsFan]

Hopefully a price drop is coming soon.

[unreal1080p]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

I think its WAY too optimistic to expect smaller PS3s soon. Slimmer models usually come way later on to boost sales of an established product.

Agreed. A smaller form factor would be counter productive as it would require a costly re-design and would make the new model look "cheaper".

The outer shell will 99.9% remain the same and it's the insides that will be smaller, consume less power, generate less heat and will be easier to properly ventilate (the fan will probably hardly ever kick in).

Sony was quoted as wanting to keep 2 distinct PS3 models in the North American market but wanting to differentiate them further appart. I think the BEST way to do this is bring back the emotion engine for FULL backward compatibility in a higher end lower cost to produce .45nm PS3 @ 399$ and replace the current lower end model with a .45nm model with a new bundled movie and priced @ 299$.

[rigpig]

Originally Posted by Luis_A51

I think its WAY too optimistic to expect smaller PS3s soon. Slimmer models usually come way later on to boost sales of an established product. A price drop right now would be more effective (putting it below the cost of a 360 is huge) and would let them keep that Ace for a while longer.

Plus it takes a lot of time to re-design a unit for a smaller space, and it makes the most sense for them to drop the price in the comming months, in anticipation for games like GTA4 and MGS4, as many PS2 owners will want to make an upgrade then.

......define 'soon'.....for xmas 2008 yes. This isn't like any other console roll-out.....the PS3 is the first console ever to essentially wield the hammer blow that gives a new media format, BD, the edge. New hardware development would have started shortly after first market debut of current chassis....at the very latest.....so it's well underway. It isn't a total redesign anyways......a thermal chassis redesign that would build on the backbone of existing unit & also a new mobo etc. Price cuts will happen on current gen sure, but newer hardware will help the platform & BD reach the inevitable tipping point sooner.

[BluSmoke]

[lch]

http://www.t3.com/news/sony-playstat...nd-lite?=35165

[Luis_A51]

Originally Posted by unreal1080p

Agreed. A smaller form factor would be counter productive as it would require a costly re-design and would make the new model look "cheaper".

The outer shell will 99.9% remain the same and it's the insides that will be smaller, consume less power, generate less heat and will be easier to properly ventilate (the fan will probably hardly ever kick in).

Sony was quoted as wanting to keep 2 distinct PS3 models in the North American market but wanting to differentiate them further appart. I think the BEST way to do this is bring back the emotion engine for FULL backward compatibility in a higher end lower cost to produce .45nm PS3 @ 399$ and replace the current lower end model with a .45nm model with a new bundled movie and priced @ 299$.

Agree 100%. Although would the new high end model still come with a game (and if so, which?) and/or would it get a HDD boost to 120gb?

I agree though that the top end model definitely needs to have 60gb-level BC.