IBM's BladeCenter QS20 using PS3's cell processor technology

by Nick Doerr { Sep 15th 2006 at 9:30AM }

It appears the cell processor is so insanely useful that IBM is going ahead and using it even before the PS3 has launched. Aside from the fact shipping began on the BladeCenter QS20, which is marketed directly towards people running heavy-duty graphics, IBM has announced that it will build a supercomputer based on the cell processor and AMD chips. They hope utilizing both of these will overcome the speed and cooling limitations faced by the supercomputers of today.

The BladeCenter QS20 is being adopted early mostly by research-based or academic organizations. This is to be expected, what with the cell being used in a multitude of ways, including quite a few medicinal applications (aside from a fantastic cure for boredom, we hope) like being used in MRI's and X-Rays. Even if the PS3 doesn't do as well as we'd hope, all of us need to admit that the cell processor is going to revolutionize technology. Let's all raise our glasses and toast the cell processor, the bringer of many a good thing now and in the future!*

*Note: drinking is optional and may result in your computer shorting out, especially if you toast your screen especially vigorously.

Tags: BladeCenter QS20, BladecenterQs20, Cell, IBM, Playstation 3, Playstation3, PS3, Sony

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Paul @ Sep 15th 2006 10:41AM

second best ps3 news this week.

best is the wii price. 250 means it isnt a impulse buy anymore, puts it pretty much on the same plane as a ps3 and a 360... now you will get pepole not in the know (parents) saying "well if it is so much cheaper it must be not as good."

I really thing it levels the playing field

Pedro Van Faulk @ Sep 15th 2006 10:48AM

Can you hear the spin? I sure can. What this really means is that the moderately useful cell, wasn't made for gaming. And that doesn't bode well for the PS3. Course after the past 6 months...we kindof already figured that one out on our own.

ozymandias @ Sep 15th 2006 10:52AM

seymour cray invented the cell processor back in the 70's. vector processing is not new technology and I dont think it will revolutionize the way computers are built. If you want revolutionary technology, take a peak at the intels Conroe Core 2 Duo E6700. it runs Half-Life 2: Lost Coast at 1280x960 resolution with graphics set to the max and HDR lighting at a silkly smooth 135 fps. Thats about 20% higher than an overclocked AMD FX-60.

alienclay @ Sep 15th 2006 1:17PM

the cell is made for multi tasking and crunching numbers. a good thing to do for games and graphics don't you think? and i'm not thinking that personal computing is the initial target of cell. esp when sony plans to use it else where in its electronic division.

and that's what i want to know. how well is the cell at decoding blu-ray mpeg2 and other video codecs and will it help make sonys BD players and lcd / plasma displays look as good or better than the competition (i.e. samsung). where is the cell going next for the everyday consumer and when can i expect to buy my cell equiped HD camcorder or tv.