PS3 Cell Processor: How powerful is it really?

[Al6200]

I'm curious. I'm not a real hardware guy so all I see is a spec sheet and assume the game companies are being genuine. Is the cell processor going to be more powerful than most home PCs? How does the power of a cell processor compare to Intel or AMD dual-cores?

[Templarian]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/617/617951p1.html

(although it was figured by microsoft).

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xbox360_vs_ps3.asp

(numbers).

I would also like to say they are programmed very differently because of the cells. The Xbox uses more PC stuff and games are easily converted back and forth while PS3 is made mostly for the PS3 itself... and has way better particle/destruction effects. Oblivion showed us that PS3 can't handle particles.

Think of it this way Xbox 360 does static high graphiced worlds while PS3 has a more imersion into the game (mostly for its shooter genera).

[Al6200]

Wait, so Xbox 360 is better for particle effects?

And PS3 is better for immersion? What precisely does that mean? What are the graphics and AI advantages.

Which will be able to handle more complex environments and AI calculations.

[Anogar]

Even if the PS3 briefly overtakes PC graphics, which is highly debatable, within a few months of the PS3's release PCs will be on top again. :-/

[Al6200]

The reason I've used consoles a lot is because they don't have the hassle of PCs. For example, I bought Halo for the PC, installed it. Then it said my graphics driver was too old. So I updated it, but after the update my PC started messing up a lot and I had to roll back drivers.

So, yeah, consoles never seem to do that. They never seem to crash or die.

[Templarian]

^Xbox 1 was not programmed like the Xbox 360 conversion back and forth is not a very pretty thing. This is why the Xbox 360 was changed to a more PC type Direct X world.

Okay... more detailed Think of the Cells as individual processors (just lamens dont think into it to far), Each cell is given a task say 2 handle the Physics for the PS3 and the 1 handles sound the others handle graphics and mantaining a good FPS. The PS3 can do this very well but its programmed spicifically for the use with every cell to its advantage. (this is why it can have the nice explosions and bullets hitting walls and particles flying off while still having a very smart adverse AI to deal with). (for gameplay think more PC type with a new controler).

The xbox 360 is coded in a more general way so that it can be developed for faster and more "cleanly". Its just MS's way they wan't everything to be compatible or easily convertable across their network of devices/consoles/OS. They can convert their games faster and make more $$. The games still come out top notch because the system was made specifically for their code just like the PS3 was made for their code.

/edit, Where the heck is grim when you need him (a very bias opinion, but follows it more than me... could care less about either).

[thoriphes]

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/617/617951p1.html

(although it was figured by microsoft).

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xbox360_vs_ps3.asp

(numbers).

I would also like to say they are programmed very differently because of the cells. The Xbox uses more PC stuff and games are easily converted back and forth while PS3 is made mostly for the PS3 itself... and has way better particle/destruction effects. Oblivion showed us that PS3 can't handle particles.

Think of it this way Xbox 360 does static high graphiced worlds while PS3 has a more imersion into the game (mostly for its shooter genera).
Interesting. I didn't know they were integrating the PSP as a controller, which is weird since the PSP doesn't come equipped with Bluetooth (there is a dongle though).

[grimdeath]

^Xbox 1 was not programmed like the Xbox 360 conversion back and forth is not a very pretty thing. This is why the Xbox 360 was changed to a more PC type Direct X world.

Okay... more detailed Think of the Cells as individual processors (just lamens dont think into it to far), Each cell is given a task say 2 handle the Physics for the PS3 and the 1 handles sound the others handle graphics and mantaining a good FPS. The PS3 can do this very well but its programmed spicifically for the use with every cell to its advantage. (this is why it can have the nice explosions and bullets hitting walls and particles flying off while still having a very smart adverse AI to deal with). (for gameplay think more PC type with a new controler).

The xbox 360 is coded in a more general way so that it can be developed for faster and more "cleanly". Its just MS's way they wan't everything to be compatible or easily convertable across their network of devices/consoles/OS. They can convert their games faster and make more $$. The games still come out top notch because the system was made specifically for their code just like the PS3 was made for their code.

/edit, Where the heck is grim when you need him (a very bias opinion, but follows it more than me... could care less about either).


Temp Grim has no internet at home yet :-/ bastard telephone company :angry: :hitman2: anyways, heres some info about the cell processor

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_processor#Synergistic_Processing_Elements_.28 SPE.29

They both work diffrent x360 works more like a PC whereas the PS3 works diffrent since its a new processor technology which is still yet in its first stages.

Heres some info with specs of the PS3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ps3#Hardware_specifications

And heres some info for the xbox 360, read em and come to your own conclusions

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360#Hardware

I also want to let you know that having the most powerfull components dont mean its the best everyone knows its all about the games :lol:

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

I still think Wii is going to kick all the other consoles to a ditch!:pleased:

[grimdeath]

I still think Wii is going to kick all the other consoles to a ditch!:pleased:

That is yet to be seen, but nintendo has a chance to get back in the market with the Wii if the Wii isn't as successfull as Nintendo aims it to be it could be Nintendos last console.

It all comes down to how well 3rp parties take advantage of the controller and I'm seeing alot of things I don't like with the Wii like remaking GC games with wiimote support, so they plan to sell us games we already own again?

No thanks, I want new games not gimmicks for old games, the more I read about the Wii the more I keep thinking the wiimote is a gimmick.

I hope I'm wrong, for Nintendos sake.

[Al6200]

Don't get me wrong, the Wii should be good. But I don't see American consumers opening up to the product, most people are too conservative.

Also I'd feel conflicted about buying a system that's not that powerful. I want a powerful processor.

Anyway, what would the world be like if Nintendo went third party. I can just imagine Super Mario Galaxy on the PS3.

[Anogar]

What do you mean by too conservative? I fail to see what the traditional definition of conservative has to do with wanting to spend three times more money on a console that will host all of the most violent games. :huh::h:

[λ]

What do you mean by too conservative?

Conservatism is a philosophy defined by Edmund Berke as "a disposition to preserve, and an ability to improve".
Conservatives don't like major change, and the Wii is certainly very different from any other console that has come before it..

[fattony]

The ps3 can't handle particles???? What about the tech demo of Killzone 2. It certainly looked like alot of particles on that.

The ps3 is technically defined as a supercomputer, how long it will take developers to be able to code into this phase is a new question but with so many people saying that ps2 was too hard to develop for this means that the ps3 will have 15 billion games since the ps2 is mainly still the leader in games categories.

Which begs the question, was it really hard to develop for the ps2?

[Al6200]

I think a lot of Americans will feel frightened and confused by a system that has them stand up and move a wand around their face. Its very strange and unconventional...

Oh yes, and the Killzone demo wasn't a demo. It wasn't rendered on PS3 hardware. So, that's not really proof that the PS3 can't handle particles.

Anyway, OMG TWILIGHT PRINCESS IS COMMING. My dream is that this game will be even better than OOT or even OOP!

[grimdeath]

The ps3 can't handle particles???? What about the tech demo of Killzone 2. It certainly looked like alot of particles on that.

The ps3 is technically defined as a supercomputer, how long it will take developers to be able to code into this phase is a new question but with so many people saying that ps2 was too hard to develop for this means that the ps3 will have 15 billion games since the ps2 is mainly still the leader in games categories.

Which begs the question, was it really hard to develop for the ps2?

You mean the beatifull CG movie thats no where to be mentioned or found since its first appearance?

Honestly if you believe that crap your funny, lets wait and see what they ahve in store with their 27 playable games at the TGS next month, so hold on to your panties.

[Anogar]

Conservative, when used without a prefix (such as a 'gaming conservative), in common conversation, refers to an individual's social and political disposition. I'm well aware of the technical definition of the word (my degree was initially in Political Science).

Anyhow, I imagine that the idea of people standing up and waving that thing all over the place is greatly exaggerated, people will still be sitting on their couch moving it slightly back and forth. From what I hear they turned the sensitivity way down for E3 to make it seem more revolutionary, much more subtle movements will make it work. :-/

[Al6200]

I don't know. Has there been any real PS3 footage released?

Everyone at Sony claimed Killzone was rendered on their expectation of PS3 hardware, and they've released a lot of other gorgeous footage.

However, I've been in videogaming for long enough to know that cutscenes reflect actual gameplay graphics/gameplay .0000000001% of the time.

Nintendo tends to be pretty genuine though about things. We didn't get any unrealistic Zelda/Mario cutscenes.

[wizard]

Which begs the question, was it really hard to develop for the ps2?Yes, but because Sony was (and still is) the leader, devs were willing to spend the extra time and money to make the games. I don't know if they'll be willing to do that this time around, considering how expensive this is getting.

[fattony]

You must be willing to put forth the money if you want to stay ahead of the curve obviously. Even with these new consoles, within the next few years there will be another one in the running that will be better, stronger, faster than these 3 combined. The major problem with all of these systems is there lack of upgrade ability, within a year or so PC will be able to run these games with more detail and functionality anyways.

Rumors aside no system this year has really peaked my interest, I have seen the 360 in action and I'm not impressed at all, the Wii is simply a "vr" toy which really looks dumb in my opinion, and the PS3 while has shown promise there is just too much floating around about it.

I will get the PS3 after it comes out just because it will play my other games, but even so I really don't see what the big deal is with these new systems they really are not next gen, as soon as Holographic images come out then you will see the real power that consoles really should be able to do.

Really other than that, I could care less about rumors/hints they are just simply things to scare others away from buying the system, as I stated before all systems have bugs/kinks that need to get worked out, it is just simply a matter of time before the perfect system will come out (then it will be replaced by a better one).

[Theros]

You must be willing to put forth the money if you want to stay ahead of the curve obviously. Even with these new consoles, within the next few years there will be another one in the running that will be better, stronger, faster than these 3 combined. The major problem with all of these systems is there lack of upgrade ability, within a year or so PC will be able to run these games with more detail and functionality anyways.

Rumors aside no system this year has really peaked my interest, I have seen the 360 in action and I'm not impressed at all, the Wii is simply a "vr" toy which really looks dumb in my opinion, and the PS3 while has shown promise there is just too much floating around about it.

I will get the PS3 after it comes out just because it will play my other games, but even so I really don't see what the big deal is with these new systems they really are not next gen, as soon as Holographic images come out then you will see the real power that consoles really should be able to do.

Really other than that, I could care less about rumors/hints they are just simply things to scare others away from buying the system, as I stated before all systems have bugs/kinks that need to get worked out, it is just simply a matter of time before the perfect system will come out (then it will be replaced by a better one).

Exactly my thoughts... I'd stick with my PC until the end of the world comes.

[Templarian]

The ps3 can't handle particles???? What about the tech demo of Killzone 2. It certainly looked like alot of particles on that.

The ps3 is technically defined as a supercomputer, ...


The PS3 can handle particles it does it pretty well (better than the xbox 360).

Grim that wasn't CGI'ed it was to the best of my knowledge rendered exactly as it would have been viewed on the PS3. It really all a matter of what games you like to play; each is very differently equipped to handle some better than others.

[Al6200]

I think its pretty clear the Killzone demo was a fake. If it wasn't, they'd be letting people play it and flaunting the most beutiful FPS ever made.

And yet, we've seen nothing of Killzone. And honestly, I've seen 1000 video game cinematics for the game that are 1000 times prettier than the real game. They just trick little kids into thinking their pretty and advanced, even though they're just watching a cutscene that has nothing to do with the actual game.

[grimdeath]

The PS3 can handle particles it does it pretty well (better than the xbox 360).

Grim that wasn't CGI'ed it was to the best of my knowledge rendered exactly as it would have been viewed on the PS3. It really all a matter of what games you like to play; each is very differently equipped to handle some better than others.

:sure: they used a PC with PS3 specs it don't mean the PS3 will look or play like that :lol:

I'll believe it when I see it not even Gears of War or halo 3 look that good, that video looked like FF:AC.

Anyways heres some more info just read the controversy section ;)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Killzone_PS3

Oh 2 more words Emotion Engine :lol:

[Jolly_Fat_Man]

The correct answer is:
- Not powerfull enough!
:beam:

[Al6200]

Has any real PS3 footage been released?

[Templarian]

^Not with the actual PS3 running it.

(Who cares it doesn't have Crysis so it shows the PC will always win... btw:
http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/crysis/index.html the new Trailer 2)

[grimdeath]

Has any real PS3 footage been released?

Will this do? :lol:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_4InHXPHvs&mode=related&search=

Don't know if its on the console or on a pc though :-/

[Al6200]

I saw that; its gorgeous.

One thing I really, really want though is an adventure/FPS game that has RTS elements. Like the enemies you're fighting have an economy and a base and actually have to collect resources and build. And thusly there a strategy and thought that's behind the combat.

[Templarian]

^Battle Field 2 right there. Although yea... PC game. Not much of an adventure... i mean if you good luck me its an adventure but if your newb your adventure ends a good 10 feet from where you appeared.

[grimdeath]

its an adventure but if your newb your adventure ends a good 10 feet from where you appeared.

LMAO

[Icehawk]

i was just wondering whats the difference between
ps3s 3.2GHz Cell w/ 7 SPEs 2.0 TFLOPS and
xbox 360's 3.2GHz G5 w/ 3 Cores 1.0 TFLOPS

so xbox is basicly 3.2ghz x3? 9.6 ghz? and what is tflops?
also so then is ps3 3.2x7?
how does this all work out

also whats the difference between
the rams

256MB XDR @ 3.2GHz
256MB GDDR3 @ 700MHz

512MB GDDR3 @ 700MHz
10MB Embedded DRAM

i see that ps3 has 50 more mhz on graphics cards but they look pretty even.
cool thing about ps3 is you can do dual screens and the rest is pretty much the same soo help me out which will be the better system to buy hareware wise? does anybody really know about this cell processor and how it works? is it some kinda supercomputer? cells!?!

[Al6200]

Nah, I pwn teh n00bs from the first 10 minutes.

All you need to do is hide in a corner and throw grenades willy nilly. Then after shooting the grenades run out with a machine and start shouting boom headshot. They'll be so confused. I am the perfect military strategist.

[Templarian]

i was just wondering whats the difference between
ps3s 3.2GHz Cell w/ 7 SPEs 2.0 TFLOPS and
xbox 360's 3.2GHz G5 w/ 3 Cores 1.0 TFLOPS

so xbox is basicly 3.2ghz x3? 9.6 ghz? and what is tflops?
also so then is ps3 3.2x7?
how does this all work out?
Hmm... good question this is why we need the real console to test the speeds... wish they could bench mark them.

[Icehawk]

so this news just in :O the cell processor will be so powerfull as almost equal to a super computer :oo take a look. i think ill buy a ps3 instead :)

the cell does 256 BILLION !?>!! calculations per second :OO

and thats just 1 of the 7 of them :OOO

in total 280.6 trillion calculations per second.
ooo ps3 all the way baby screw xbox

but the scary thing is if it malfuncations the cell can created diseases i guess this is a risk we take with living things ?

""When they do not fold correctly they can cause diseases such as Huntington's, Parkinson's disease, and many cancers.""

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5287254.stm

[Anogar]

Heh. Reading comprehension isn't your strong suit, eh? :lol: Remember that program everyone used to download to look for aliens? Same idea. :thumb:

[Icehawk]

yeah lol i suck at english i got a 62 in school i wish we talked in math
:) 92 lets talk in binary ^_^

its still gonna own xbox 360 ^_^ they said its gonna be 4x more powerful the the worlds most powerful supercomputer :o it looks amazing guys im glad i waited out the 360

[wizard]

... they said its gonna be 4x more powerful the the worlds most powerful supercomputer...Don't buy into the hype just yet.

[Templarian]

It is an amazing little machine but the fastest super computer runs:

280.6 TFLOPS making it WAY faster than the one you said.

[Anogar]

[quote=Icehawk]...they said its gonna be 4x more powerful the the worlds most powerful supercomputer.../quote]

You're still not getting it. That isn't what the article says. The article says that if 10,000 people download that software and let their PS3 run it when it isn't being used, it could potentially be that powerful.

A single PS3 is going to be pretty neat, but comparable to a nice computer.

[Icehawk]

[quote=Icehawk]...they said its gonna be 4x more powerful the the worlds most powerful supercomputer.../quote]

You're still not getting it. That isn't what the article says. The article says that if 10,000 people download that software and let their PS3 run it when it isn't being used, it could potentially be that powerful.

A single PS3 is going to be pretty neat, but comparable to a nice computer.

still thats 10,000 people u know how many ps3s are gonna sell :o i like the work potentially :)i still think its gonna be better then 360 i always have loved sony :)

[evildrummer]

PC's are going to always be better as Consoles are released and then you can not upgrade them and have to wait for the next one up to 4 years, PC's easy upgrade, bit at a time, and new tchnology happens every few months!