Final-Fan said:
jetrii said:
Final-Fan said:
jetrii said:
Cell CPU in PS3 - Powerful compared to x86/PPC and cheaper than an IBM Cell server
Cell CPU in PS3 - Fairly weak and outdated compared to the PowerXCell 8i
I don't see how those 2 things are opposites. The clusters may be effective compared to x86 but they are outdated compared to the PowerXCell 8i clusters. Also, effective compared to what? To x86? To a supercomputer?
The only reason people use the PS3 in projects like those is because they are cheap. If IBM Cell servers cost the same, trust me, no one would touch the PS3 with a 100 foot poll for those projects. |
Don't get bent out of shape. I know the statements aren't actually contradictory -- I said so. I was just noting that calling it 'weak and outdated' in the one post gives a much different impression than calling it 'decently powerful yet cheap' in the other. Do you deny that that's the case?
But I still have to disagree with the assessment that it's outdated. It depends on your definition, I guess -- but the fact that the PS3 solution is effective enough for big, serious projects to choose to use it says to me that it's not "outdated" if it's able to compete in the marketplace with the latest supercomputers. (From black hole research to Air Force projects IIRC.)
If Ferraris cost the same as Toyota Camrys, there might be a different car in my dad's garage right now. What's your point?
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The Cell processor in the PS3 is outdated compared to the superior version used by IBM. My dad's 2004 Lotus is outdated compared compared to my 2008 Lotus. His 2004 Lotus may be able to smoke your 2009 Mustang, but compared to other versions of itself, it's outdated.
The Cell in the PS3 is not outdated compared to today's x86 processor, far from it, however, it is outdated compared to newer Cell processors. That is why it can complete in the marketplace, because it's not outdated compared to other chips, however, it is outdated in its class. That is the point I was making all along, I'm sorry if you thought I meant it was outdated compared to today's x86 CPUs. |
But ... no, that's not what I thought you meant. If some people choose to use the PS3 Cell solution due to its cheaper price, and feel that that's a fair tradeoff even for certain big, important projects, can you really call it "outdated"? That's what I'm saying.
The B-52 bomber has been in use by the USAF since 1955. They keep extending its service because it's so goddamned useful. The latest supposed expiration date is 2040. Its technology is certainly not comparable to the B-1, but it hasn't been replaced by its superior successor. Is it "outdated"?
"That is why it can complete in the marketplace, because it's not outdated compared to other chips, however, it is outdated in its class."
I guess I could be wrong here, but isn't it competing in the same arena as the Cell supercomputers? Please correct me if that's not the case.
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Of course it is. If someone wants to use a 2Ghz Core Solo solution due to its cheaper price, and feel that it's a fair tradeoff even for certain big, important projects, can you really call it "outdated?" Yes, of course you can. It is definetely outdated, there are just people that feel like they can use it for something useful. Something outdated can still be useful.
We can go back and forth on this all night. What I consider to be outdated isn't what you consider to be outdated. Lets just agree to disagree.
Btw, that above example is true, I use a few Core Solo machines to do some pretty important things that don't require too much processing power but are still very important.
