IBM creates new supercomputer with Cell processor

by Andrew Yoon { Jun 9th 2008 at 7:00PM }

The Cell processor, known as the heart of the PS3, is being used every day in rather extraordinary situations. IBM has crafted yet another supercomputer, codenamed Roadrunner, which runs at a record-setting petaflop speed. (A petaflop is the equivalent of one thousand trillion calculations per second.) This speed makes Roadrunner twice as fast as the previous best supercomputer.

"We are getting closer to simulating the real world," Bijan Davari, vice president of next generation computing systems at IBM, told BBC News. The computer will be installed in a US government laboratory to monitor the US nuclear stockpile. It will also be used for research into astronomy, genomics and climate change.

The Roadrunner will use less than 20,000 chips, and will use a hybrid design of both conventional supercomputer chips, and PS3's Cell processor. ~~The next design by IBM will be nicknamed "Skynet."~~

[Thanks, Richard!]

Tags: cell, roadrunner, supercomputer

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

velvet @ Jun 9th 2008 7:05PM

Wow, our ps3 is the baby of the "Skynet"?!
should we destroy it now?! HELL NO LOL!!

steve @ Jun 9th 2008 7:07PM

lol yeah they're gettin pretty close to skynet hey lol, but seriously, when can i get one of these for extreme gaming?

Alistair judson @ Jun 9th 2008 7:08PM

Ah, but will it run crysis on maxed out

Wayne @ Jun 9th 2008 7:12PM

LOL

leatherface @ Jun 9th 2008 7:13PM

zing.

uh-oh polio @ Jun 9th 2008 7:13PM

How many is one thousand trillion?

flameofdoom666 @ Jun 9th 2008 7:40PM

A zillion :-)

Jmmaroli @ Jun 9th 2008 8:24PM

I think it is 1 quadrillion.

MCX @ Jun 9th 2008 7:25PM

How long before it becomes self aware???

jgpliskin @ Jun 9th 2008 7:17PM

Lol,that was hilarious Andrew.Not a fan of strikethroughs myself but that was superb!

yanks86 @ Jun 9th 2008 7:52PM

I go to RPI and we built a super computer a yearish ago. Our CIO teaches one classe and he talked about how IBM(who was part of the Joint Venture to build it) kept trying to get them to use cell processors. The problem was, while they were more powerful, the added power was no inline with the added cost, plus they use a ton more power. In other words, they made little sense unless space was a issue. Otherwise, your better off with more of other processors. They did end up with a smaller part of the computer using cell processors though because they do have some interesting properties. I wonder if the cost is more in line with similar processors now.

Paulmichael @ Jun 9th 2008 11:49PM

I think the 65nm cells, which I'm sure this is using, is much more power-effecient. A year ago I believe they were still being fabricated on 90nm...

Nineteen88 @ Jun 9th 2008 7:51PM

HAL: I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do.

(Quote from 2001: A Space Odyssey)

JAH75157 @ Jun 9th 2008 7:59PM

WTF

PSN:FatalAssassin XBL:Fata7assassin @ Jun 9th 2008 8:25PM

Go cell power:D

SSG @ Jun 9th 2008 8:38PM

Ah, but will it blend?

Paulmichael @ Jun 10th 2008 12:01AM

No, but you will fail.

SSG @ Jun 10th 2008 12:22AM

fail

Iain @ Jun 10th 2008 1:43AM

Wonder what the power bill will be?

Zim @ Jun 10th 2008 9:07AM

Well considering one of the very first computers filled an entire room and had the power of a mobile phone, in 1968. SO by using mores law (guessing really) 10 years time we will have skynet power in the palm of your hand.

Or imagine playing GTA IV on your mobile, probably be GTA VI by then with real graphics.