Yawn... The developers are still figuring out what they can do on the cell. One of the critical reasons why devs aren't using 100% of the cells power is probably the fact that after they do everything they need to do given the graphics and the gameplay they are targeting, they need more coding strategies/maybe libraries to run a greater variety of code on it.
I would see the GPU and ram as limiting the cells potential. With more ram they could run bigger code to use that massive throughput and a better GPU would let the developers use more texture culling, physics, objects, dynamic sound etc on the cell.
Lastly, taking a quick look at the GPU, it would probably only really perform well at the 720p level. The 8 ROP units and the 128kb memory bus running off 256mb ram, probably only define it's capabilities not limit them. It would be debatable that the PS3 could do FULL HD without these limitations on the GPU. It looks like the whole system was designed to operate at the 720p - 1280/1080 level for the most graphically intensive games. If it Sony wanted more they could have charged $100 more but likely we would not be having this conversation right now.
I feel the PS3's greatest strength is in the BLU Ray drive, and streaming content through the cell processor. You can see the advantage the PS3 has in delivering the artist's vision. We've all heard Kojima and Co talking about how the Cell and Blu ray has helped them realize their visions. Feel happy, it's a great console. Im happy to own it.
Lay off each other please? Respect is a virtue.
Tease.
