Folding@home and PS3 reach Guinness Records

by Andrew Yoon { Oct 31st 2007 at 12:45PM }

Folding@home continues to get the attention of the mainstream media. PS3's large network of Cell-enabled PS3 systems has significantly boosted the abilities of Stanford University's research program. So much so, in fact, that the program recently was recognized by the Guinness Records. Over 670,000 unique PS3 users have registered to the Folding@home network, and combined they have achieved the petaflop mark on September 23, 2007. This has placed the program as the most powerful distributed computing network ever.

"To have Folding@home recognized by Guinness World Records as the most powerful distributed computing network ever is a reflection of the extraordinary worldwide participation by gamers and consumers around the world and for that we are very grateful," said Vijay Pande, Associate Professor of Chemistry at Stanford University and Folding@home project lead. "Without them we would not be able to make the advancements we have made in our studies of several different diseases. But it is clear that none of this would be even remotely possible without the power of PS3, it has increased our research capabilities by leaps and bounds."

"To have PS3 play such a large role in allowing Folding@home to be honored by Guinness World Records is truly incredible," said Masayuki Chatani, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Technology Platform, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. "This record is clear evidence of the power of PS3 and the contributions that it is making to the Folding@home network, and more importantly, scientific research."

Tags: cell, guinness, record

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

cody @ Oct 31st 2007 12:58PM

I like to play video games on my video game console.

FrankTheCrank @ Oct 31st 2007 12:59PM

Now that's what I call an ACHIEVEMENT!

animekid3515 @ Oct 31st 2007 1:06PM

if you have SO many games, why are you trolling around a ps3fanboy blog? because of boredom of course. i however am waiting for my wireless router to be fixed, and i'm not interested in playing resistance on single player again.

Akamaru @ Oct 31st 2007 1:17PM

Good news. F@H FTW!

Nate @ Oct 31st 2007 1:23PM

If you aren't folding on your PS3, please consider it. It starts up automatically like a screen saver for your PS3, and it's super easy to install and run - just like any other PSN title. I've had mine running 24/7 since June with no problems. Just remember to turn off your controllers or plug them in before you pack up for the night.

Kudos to Sony for quadrupling the processing power available to this program.

Popfrogs @ Oct 31st 2007 1:54PM

I want to see more interesting distributed projects than just this, with heavy contributors getting PSN points as a reward.

Jevanzz @ Oct 31st 2007 1:57PM

@ 6. That would be a pretty cool incentive, but it what would be the requirements for free points? Maybe £2.50/$5 after 50 units processed?

Nate @ Oct 31st 2007 2:25PM

Oh please, no points. I love that PSN is in real money, not some arbitrary point value like Live uses. There's really no difference between Sony putting money in your PSN account and MS putting points in your Live account, so please, keep it money.

And that's an interesting idea, but I don't know that it's really workable. It's essentially Sony paying us to run F@H. I don't thin that'll ever happen.

Maybe there could be other incentives, though - ones that wouldn't directly cost Sony money - like customizations in Home, extra DLC, etc.

B1gC72 @ Oct 31st 2007 2:48PM

well that is mighty impressive. anytime we can help so much, so effortlessly it's a great thing. i honestly havent been folding much lately since my PS3 heats up my room so much in the summer but i will definitely start again since it's starting to get cold.