enhanced Cell processor in the slim not just the smaller 45nm enhancement

[joeorc]

Sony's PS3 Slim Carries Updated Cell Chip
Agam Shah, IDG News Service
Aug 20, 2009 2:00 am

The PlayStation 3 Slim gaming console from Sony Computer Entertainment is not only smaller and cheaper, but adds hardware enhancements that make it speedier, including a new Cell microprocessor.

The gaming console, introduced on Tuesday, is a slimmer and lighter version of older PS3 consoles. It carries a 120GB hard drive, which is an upgrade from the 80GB of storage offered in the earlier PS3. The console will sell for US$299 and become available on September 1. (See "PS3 Slim vs. Xbox 360 Price Fight")

Sony has made some enhancements under the hood to boost its processing speed and power efficiency. The gaming console will carry an upgraded version of the Cell microprocessor, which is being jointly developed by IBM, Sony, and Toshiba.

The new chip has been manufactured using an advanced 45-nanometer manufacturing process, an IBM spokesman said. Based on IBM's Power architecture, the chip delivers many performance improvements while drawing less power than earlier chips, IBM has said. The earlier console carried a Cell processor manufactured using the 65-nm process. IBM declined to provide the clock speed of the new Cell processor.

Chip production enhancements for the Cell could deliver some cost benefits to users, said Jon Peddie, president of Jon Peddie Research. The chips will become more power efficient and users may see some energy savings, Peddie said.

Smaller chips also cost less to produce, which may have contributed to the lower console price, Peddie said. That could also set the stage for further price drops in the future.

On launch, a Sony executive said the advanced manufacturing process was a factor in driving the console's price down.

"We're extremely pleased that we've been able to meet production efficiencies that have allowed us pass those savings on to customers," said President and CEO Jack Tretton, CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment of America, in a video on the official PlayStation Web site.

The console carries a graphics processing unit made by Nvidia, though details about the chip were not immediately available. Nvidia officials declined comment, and Sony officials did not return calls seeking comment.

Earlier consoles carried the RSX GPU developed jointly by Nvidia and Sony. Peddie said that the graphics core in the PS3 Slim has to be identical or similar to the RSX GPUs, otherwise existing games for the PS3 won't run on the new console.


i may have to get the new one..

[Chiyo_chichi]

Wonder what this means for current games? Perhaps speedier loads?

[Sponge-worthy]

Originally Posted by Chiyo_chichi

Wonder what this means for current games? Perhaps speedier loads?

I would think you'd see negligible, if any, increase in game performance--as they would have to strictly conform to a certain spec, particularly to be compatible with every unit in the field.

If anything, you might see some zip in XMB performance. But honestly, I don't see the new Cell being really any faster than the 'current' one, as efficiency and size seemed to be the target for revision rather than a performance upgrade, and presumably the system's firmware will be the same across the board.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Chiyo_chichi

Wonder what this means for current games? Perhaps speedier loads?

Possibly slightly, but the main advantage is it will use less power. Some people may misunderstand this article and think the Slim is an upgraded version and that the old version isn't as good. In the end, I'll just stick with my 80GB beast and be happy.

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Possibly slightly, but the main advantage is it will use less power. Some people may misunderstand this article and think the Slim is an upgraded version and that the old version isn't as good. In the end, I'll just stick with my 80GB beast and be happy.

exactly..

though what enhancements do have an effect on how this new cell performs would most likely be slight like the added enhancement of the psp vs the psp slim with upgraded ram. the speed inhancement on some games is increased but for the majority it's still the same game experience with both psp's
so it is all good..

[joeorc]

Originally Posted by Chiyo_chichi

Wonder what this means for current games? Perhaps speedier loads?

on some games it could..it depends what those enhancements are in the new Cell. they did say its speedier than the 65nm scale but the game code say for example MGS:4 is still coded for what the core CELL PROCESSOR is rated at. if anything you may see a slight increase in speed performance based on my experience in past processor enhancements, though this may be indeed the case with the cell or it may not 50/50 .
but what we do know its smaller and uses less power which is all good anyway.
everything else would be a bonus

[Icemage]

Originally Posted by killowertz

Possibly slightly, but the main advantage is it will use less power. Some people may misunderstand this article and think the Slim is an upgraded version and that the old version isn't as good. In the end, I'll just stick with my 80GB beast and be happy.

This last is particularly important if you're using a PS3 in a home theater, as reducing power consumption will also lower the heat output, which in turn reduces the cooling load on the fans.

The PS3 works pretty hard when playing Blu-rays, and unless you've got a well controlled ambient temperature and good ventilation, older models will often rev the fans during playback to compensate, which increases your background noise.

As such, if you're using a PS3 for Blu-ray playback, the Slim is an excellent choice.

[KilloWertz]

Originally Posted by Icemage

This last is particularly important if you're using a PS3 in a home theater, as reducing power consumption will also lower the heat output, which in turn reduces the cooling load on the fans.

The PS3 works pretty hard when playing Blu-rays, and unless you've got a well controlled ambient temperature and good ventilation, older models will often rev the fans during playback to compensate, which increases your background noise.

As such, if you're using a PS3 for Blu-ray playback, the Slim is an excellent choice.

I'm not discounting the reduced power consumption at all. It's great. It's just not something that would make me run out and spend $300 when I already have a system that is still working. I was only really saying that some people might think the Slim is actually an upgraded system besides the power consumption advantage based on that article.

[chnandler_bong]

I have been on the fence about repairing my smoldering heap of a 60 or getting this one...I may be leaning more towards getting this one and maybe selling my other for parts based on info in this thread.

[HomeTheaterVirgin]

Im so glad more and more things making my ps3 purchase more worth it cant wait to play kill zone 2.How come nobody ever told me I can see youtube videos on ps3 or that it had a web browser.

By the way this looks like a great improvement over the old fatty good thing I didnt get stuck with one of those old fat 80gb models.Like some of you guys
















I kid I kid ,cant wait to get my ps3

[STARSCREAM]

WOW, can't imagine the PS3 being even faster!!!!