Cell Processors

blackkid · November 3rd, 2008, 18:37

Can you buy cell processors and make a computer that is optimized for gaming in general? I mean that's no different than well... A videogame console. I'm actually curious because you could also use a cell processor for a server set-up right? I'd really like to pull one of those off; I don't think IBM sells to the publict though.

**cooliscool** · November 3rd, 2008, 18:39

No, you can't.

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blackkid · November 3rd, 2008, 18:47

Awe. That sucks. It would work so well in a server environment too. It's no x86 but servers generally don't have multi-purpose and general task needs anyway.

Proto · November 3rd, 2008, 19:20

There are various scientific computing applications that are making good use of the cell nowadays, however the day that it will be open for general using is still a little far. The problem is first that the programming API it uses is overly complicated, to the point that making even the simplest programs take a little while to learn (or almost re learn). The second one is that as you say it is no x86, and as such no application originally programmed for the x86 will run on it. As such, it requires it own set of compilers, assemblers, and in general its own programming paradigm (parallel computing) that will take a while to be built before it is generally available.

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blackkid · November 4th, 2008, 00:25

You know. That is sensible. Thanks for that explanation. I feel dumb for even asking. :/ You're smart.

November 3rd, 2008, 18:37	#1
blackkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United States Posts: 181	Cell Processors Can you buy cell processors and make a computer that is optimized for gaming in general? I mean that's no different than well... A videogame console. I'm actually curious because you could also use a cell processor for a server set-up right? I'd really like to pull one of those off; I don't think IBM sells to the publict though.

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November 3rd, 2008, 18:39	#2
cooliscool Global Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: SC, USA Posts: 7,231	No, you can't. __________________

November 3rd, 2008, 18:47	#3
blackkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United States Posts: 181	Awe. That sucks. It would work so well in a server environment too. It's no x86 but servers generally don't have multi-purpose and general task needs anyway.

November 3rd, 2008, 19:20	#4
Proto Knowledge is the solution Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, US. Previously in Mexico City Posts: 7,160	There are various scientific computing applications that are making good use of the cell nowadays, however the day that it will be open for general using is still a little far. The problem is first that the programming API it uses is overly complicated, to the point that making even the simplest programs take a little while to learn (or almost re learn). The second one is that as you say it is no x86, and as such no application originally programmed for the x86 will run on it. As such, it requires it own set of compilers, assemblers, and in general its own programming paradigm (parallel computing) that will take a while to be built before it is generally available. __________________

November 4th, 2008, 00:25	#5
blackkid Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: United States Posts: 181	You know. That is sensible. Thanks for that explanation. I feel dumb for even asking. :/ You're smart.