How does a PS3-based supercomputer work?

[DaRuSsIaMaN]

I read this article some time ago about a computer cluster made up of 1,760 PS3's, and in use by the Defense Department. I've been meaning to ask about it but kept putting it off. The article doesn't go into technical detail about why this is superior to conventional PCs. It says that the PlayStation chip set architecture is somehow "revolutionary" and "very good." So does anyone know exactly is so revolutionary about the PS chip set architecture?? I don't understand what makes this a better solution than using "normal" computers

Thanks

 

[Deleted member 88227]

Because the Cell processor is a number crunching processor, they are also relatively cheap to buy compared to buying 1,700 "computers" that can crunch numbers similar to what a PS3 can do.

 

[mutantmagnet]

To vaguely build up on Skillz remarks, Cell's architecture is much closer to a GPU architecture than a conventional cpu. When it comes to processing large volumes of data GPUs are better at this as long as you aren't requiring it to coordinate multiple instructions to handle that data.

It's also why Sony was convinced they could insert an underpowered GPU into the PS3 relative to what the 360 contained and it has worked out for the most part after that first year of growing pains where barely anyone knew how to code for Cell.

Cell was far from perfect for its time but it was the best value at offering the necessary capabilities of a CPU while having gpu like capabilities that made it an attractive tool to use.

 

[Section VIII]

Because the Cell processor is a number crunching processor, they are also relatively cheap to buy compared to buying 1,700 "computers" that can crunch numbers similar to what a PS3 can do.

This...and the fact that if "normal" computers were used, then it would require more "unecessary" computer peripherals.

 

[DaRuSsIaMaN]

Hmm that's cool. I have never heard of the Cell processor before, until you guys said it. Then I read the piece by HowStuffWorks on the PS3, and it still kind of boggles me. They make it sound like it's more advanced than the analogous computer components, not only processor-wise but even gpu-wise. PS3 came out towards the end of 2006/early 2007, with 234 million transistors in the Cell processor.

For comparison, one of the most powerful desktop PC CPUs available in 2005, the $1,000, dual-core Pentium Processor Extreme Edition, just barely breaks the 200-million-transistor mark.

And then all the stuff they say about how the PowerPC core works in conjunction with the SPEs makes it sound like it's more technologically advanced than the technology in the PC market...
And then it goes on to say that the gpu of the PS3 had 300 million transistors, more than computers at the time had in both cpus and gpus taken together.

All this together makes it sound like the PS3 was some kind of technological miracle and a computing beast when it came out... but that can't be exactly right because then why didn't the Sony/Toshiba/IBM coalition enter the PC market with the Cell processor and slap Intel & AMD around? So what's the deal? Is the Cell processor design with the PowerPC core and the SPEs not very good for conventional computers?

 

[4LC4PON3]

The PS3 is a great system easily rocks the 360s crap console but none of them can touch a PC.

 

[Deleted member 88227]

All this together makes it sound like the PS3 was some kind of technological miracle and a computing beast when it came out... but that can't be exactly right because then why didn't the Sony/Toshiba/IBM coalition enter the PC market with the Cell processor and slap Intel & AMD around? So what's the deal? Is the Cell processor design with the PowerPC core and the SPEs not very good for conventional computers?

That would be like ATi or Nividia entering the CPU market with one of their GPUs. The Cell processor is pretty much purpose built, where as a CPU can do a lot more other "things" that the Cell processor just doesn't have the ability to do. It's good for a "closed box" type setup such as the PS3, but using it for general computing it would be lacking compared to computer CPUs.

Like it was mentioned before, the Cell processor is a number crunching processor. Its Floating Point Operations are phenomenal (for its time) and its not really designed for a desktop computer.

You should be comparing the Cell processor to GPUs anyway, as that's more or less what it is.