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Sony working on multi-core CPU for PS4?

Posted Dec 28, 2009 at 2:37PM EST by Karl B.

Listed in: PS3 Tags: Intel, playstation 3 updates, ps4, rumor, Sony

The last PS3 model before the PS4?

Ten-year PS3 lifespan or no, Sony is apparently already working on the next PlayStation home console, if the reports we've seen so far are to be believed. Until we hear a confirmation (denials don't work, see) these reports and rumors aren't likely to stop. The latest says Sony is currently looking into a multi-processor setup for the PS4.

According to Kotaku, a piece on Japanese website PC Watch says that Sony wants to find a replacement for the PS3's Cell architecture due to the challenges it poses to developers. For the PS4, they've considered both Intel's Larabee GPU and a modified version of the Synergistic Processing Unit. Both plans have supposedly been scrapped, however, and Sony is now looking into implementing a design that has a multi-core CPU.

The PC Watch piece is based on insider sources and some speculation, so this is far from official. One other interesting thing the piece mentions is that it takes 24 months to churn out a new console, so a late 2012 or even 2013 release for the PS4 is possible.

Via [Kotaku]

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Hmmm I figured that sony would not want to waste all the time and money that dev's have spent on figuring out the Cell.

I thought for sure they would just go with an updated cell with a higher clock speed and more spu's.

This way games could be backwards compatible and basically everything dev's learnt with PS3 could be used and built on with the PS4.

They just need to get rid of the crappy Nvidia GPU, that is all....

-1 # Hmm.... — Bountyhunter53 2009-12-28 17:40

If they go with a normal X86 processor, we could have Windows 7 running with Dual-boot of Sony OS

# Well — narutosaiyan 2009-12-28 17:48

lets hope they can keep this one away from microsoft.

# Multi-Core is IN — Diablith 2009-12-28 19:06

The PS3 has a single core architecture with 8 SPE (Synergistic Processing Elements). Think of them as single purpose code handlers, they can only run one set of codes at a time, so they are not true CPUs. The 360 is a Triple Core CPU. With three actual CPUs are 3.2GHz a piece.

# What? — skidz 2009-12-28 19:20

"are 3.2GHz a piece."

Don't think so Tim.

# WTF!?!?!?!?! — ISOHaven 2009-12-28 19:28

@ Karl - "Ten-year PS3 lifespan or no,...."

No to me means...well...no ;p

Ten year lifespan equals YES! Not no.

# @ Diablith? — xInSoMnIaTiCx 2009-12-28 20:01

3.2 a piece and 360 games would be the most advanced technology to date (or at least most likely). It's 3.2Ghz total. From what I remember (could be wrong about this) PS3 has more processing power than the 360 it's just 360 split it into multiple CPU's while PS3 is all on one so it makes computing harder. (like I said, I could be wrong, I just remember a post from ages ago)

# Nehalem-EX — darkfangex 2009-12-28 20:57

sony should pargtner with intel and make a gaming version of this cpu. in my opinion this is going to be a monster cpu inside a dual cpu motherboard (server that can fit in a tower) imagine the 16 cores and 32 threads muahahahaha . back to the topic i highly suggest that sony STAYS away from amd because high voltage and overheating cpu's, lol i highly suggest that sony makes a gaming version of the nehalem-ex

# Would be odd — damonous 2009-12-28 21:04

If Sony actually came out with a standard-design core(s) *now*/near-future, after years of promoting "The Power of the Cell" ...it would be kind of odd. Basically, an "eat their own words" moment. Personally, I'm convinced on the long-term power of the Cell (you don't see scientists and the Govt buying hundreds of 360's to pull together as a low-cost/high-performance server farm). It would be logical (and probably economical for Sony) if they went with a multi-core *Cell* chip. --Imagine 3 Cell CPU's (running at a slightly higher speed) with 7 SPU's *each*. That would be one Helluva' gaming console!

# Sony eating their words... — Fujin 2009-12-28 23:46

Nothing new, they did the same with the almighty emotion engine for the PS2. Besides I believe Sony already got rid of a major obstacle and that was getting rid of Ken Kutaragi with his over the top old skool sleazy salesman tactics that over hyped the PS3's power (not saying its not powerful, but not capable of what originally planned e.g. Original Killzone 2 target render.)

# Uhm — Teivin 2009-12-29 00:00

Most people here dont seem to understand how the CPU in either works.

Both the 360 and PS3 run the similar powerPC-esque cores. IBM-Toshiba-Sony created the Cell processor for the PS3 and its SPE architecture, then Microsoft approached IBM and asked for a multi-core processor for their system.

So a lot of the same design decisions and progress made from the Cell design went into the new Microsoft chip.

The original Cell development started in 2000, Microsoft approached IBM in 2003.

Cell isnt the way to go for gaming, though. By and large, to get the level of performance they get out of games like Uncharted, you basically need to write everything in assembly. Higher level code cant be done by the SPEs limited memory space.

PS3 is /fantastic/ for computations. Which is why they are used as super computers. Super Computers dont do anything but crunch numbers. They are just hugely sophisticated calculators. Which then churn out data to a seperate actual normal PC that then pieces it together and uses it.

tl;dr PS3 started dev in about 2000. Think about that.

# .. — Techni 2009-12-29 02:39

Odds are PS4 will be using a faster cell with more PPU/SPU cores.

1) Free backwards compatibility

2) No expensive R&D phase

3) No developer learning curve

4) It's cheaper

# Lol — BryCee12 2009-12-29 04:41

Intel i7 anyone? That would be the best ever!

# Actually, Diablith is correct. — Jez 2009-12-29 05:42

Cell has one main core running at 3.2Ghz (PPE/PPU) and 8 arithmetic units running at 3.2GHz (SPE/SPU) for which 6 SPEs are available for PS3 games. The 360's CPU (Xenon), like multicore PC processors, has 3 complete cores (1 main core, 1 arithmetic unit) all running at 3.2Ghz. Therefore 360 has more power for running main code (3 cores vs 1 core) and the PS3 has more power for arithmetic (6 cores vs 3 cores). So overall, it balances out, where some games will run better on 360's CPU and others better on the PS3s CPU, depending on the game code and arithmetic required.

# I hope backward compatibility is fully utilised next time around. — GUNBEHINDTHESUN 2009-12-29 07:41

I don't really buy that Sony is looking for something else all together instead of using the cell. Sony should still use the cell technology but improve upon it such as adding more than 1 in the PS4 and bring back backwards compatibility. If they use the cell it would be easier for them to be backwards compatible for PS3 games and also not cost so much for research and development like it was for the PS3. Also with different programming techniques again, game developers might get frustrated like they did with programming for the cell to begin with but now developers could make a running start out of the gate if the cell was used this time around.

# @Diablith — RaphaelDDL 2009-12-29 08:19

"The PS3 has a single core architecture with 8 SPE (Synergistic Processing Elements). Think of them as single purpose code handlers, they can only run one set of codes at a time, so they are not true CPUs."

Now i know why ps3 is 'powerful' but can't multi-thread...

Simply run a game and use browser or psn store or anything else is a pain for it lol >___>

# no way lol — darkfangex 2009-12-29 09:45

the i7 is only 2/3 of the power of the nehalem-ex although a laptop version is better suited for a console in my opinion but the i7's use low wattage , they have 4 cores with 8 threads and the most expensive configuration that runs at 64 watts is 1 grand wich is the i7 975 and the laptop i7's run cooler , lower energy usage a slight decrease in clock speed lol at least with the i7 965 mobile but if you were to get an i7 925 300$, oc it to 3.0 ghz = 3.0 ghz , quad core 8 threads , and abput 75 watts there lol so i dont know , the nehalem-ex is going to be a power monster eating 112 watts , lol but sure maybe the more lower end i7 , i dont want a ps4 costing me 1200$ because its the i7 975 lol

# ... — Walo 2009-12-29 11:01

to those thinking or worrying that the ps4 is coming too soon, you are just thinking ahead of yourselves. The PS4 is still in the planning stage, that's why you hear those rumors about possible CPUs and stuff. From planning stage to production is a loooooong way to go. so don't get your hopes or worries up.

# hes right — Sw3RvE 2009-12-29 21:14

why open up with 10 yr lifespan or not* ?

Sony is going to make another console. It makes sense. The way they made the xmb have such a small about of resources basically castrated it. it takes WAY too damn long to load the xmb in game.

In game music should also be manditory by all devs.

On a side note i wish we could use the full power in other os. Then they could advertise the PS3 as being a POWER PC, BLU-RAY, DVD, PHOTOS, MUSIC, GAMES...

# ... — SeRosiS 2009-12-30 13:25

You can't play music while in-game on the PS3?

# errr... — RexNox 2009-12-30 19:13

Don't they have to get the PS3 right, first?

# RE: errr... — UltimaXIX 2010-11-26 20:17

The only real mistake they made was releasing it too late. How are they supposed to fix that one?

# Multi Core Cell most likely — phiyuku 2009-12-30 21:50

If you know how to program for one cell processor you should for multiple since from what I heard a multi-core cell would just make all the process scale out to the rest of the cell processors which is how Gran Turismo did some crazy shit with multiple PS3s and how the government are so easily able to cluster compute with multiple PS3s or something like that.

# to Serosis — GUNBEHINDTHESUN 2009-12-31 07:34

You can your own music in some games. It depends if the developer wants to allow it or not. Also you can't play an online game with your own music though. I think Microsoft took the rights on that feature.

# Cell is the least likely option phiyuku — Jez 2009-12-31 10:16

Remember, Sony pulled out of Cell development years ago;

http://uk.gamespot.com/news/6182641.html

I doubt they would have done that if they had plans for using Cell in future consoles.

# RE: Cell is the least likely option phiyuku — UltimaXIX 2010-11-26 20:18

Because it cost them a LOT of money. They probably figured it'd be cheaper to simply license the tech from IBM.

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