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[Srider]

http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0601/12/news014.html

http://www.mc.com/mediacenter/pr/news_details.cfm?press_id=2006_01_10_0900_082051_691315pr.cfm

CHELMSFORD, Mass., Jan 10, 2006 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- Mercury Computer Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: MRCY) announced that it has shipped its first Cell Technology Evaluation System (CTES). Based on the Mercury Dual Cell-Based Blade just announced in October 2005, the CTES is a turnkey system that features the IBM(R) Cell Broadband Engine(TM) (BE) processor, and an Intel(R) Architecture development/simulation environment, with pre-installed Mercury, IBM, and open-source Cell Technology software. These early-access systems enable customers to evaluate Cell BE processor-based computing solutions and begin prototyping advanced applications for the defense, medical, industrial inspection, and other markets.

PS3 launch just seemed alot more imminent.

 

[BlueTsunami]

http://www.itmedia.co.jp/news/articles/0601/12/news014.html

http://www.mc.com/mediacenter/pr/news_details.cfm?press_id=2006_01_10_0900_082051_691315pr.cfm




PS3 launch just seemed alot more imminent.

Yep, from Mercury Systems. It seems that the Cell can be manufactured on this level now. The only last piece of the puzzle for PS3 is the RSX.

 

[monkeymagic]

Feb can't come soon enough

 

[Wollan]

nm

 

[BMAN]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/11/first-cell-product-to-ship-not-quite-gamer-centric/
That computer is 470 pounds.

 

[BlueTsunami]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/11/first-cell-product-to-ship-not-quite-gamer-centric/
That computer is 470 pounds.

5. This is not a single machine. It's a "Technology Evaluation System". It has two complete dual-cell processor servers (four cell processors in total) plus a complete IBM xSeries 366 dual Xeon server, plus storage and networking. After adding the 2000W power supply, monitor, keyboard, and other supporting hardware, 470 pounds doesn't seem so extreme does it?

I was about to say, holy shit thats heavy but it seems to be jam packed with other hardware. Some heavy duty shit right there

 

[BMAN]

I was about to say, holy shit thats heavy but it seems to be jam packed with other hardware. Some heavy duty shit right there

But practical for most people? Probably not.

 

[BlueTsunami]

But practical for most people? Probably not.

Oh, this isn't for most people. This is for hospitals that do 3D digital imaging on human body parts (very intensive visual work). This isn't consumer level hardware. Thats what Mercury Computer Systems vendor to.

Heres the site: http://www.mc.com/

 

[Jonnyram]

http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/11/first-cell-product-to-ship-not-quite-gamer-centric/
That computer is 470 pounds.

My stupid British self thought you were talking about money for a moment... that would have been interesting!

 

[BlueTsunami]

My stupid British self thought you were talking about money for a moment... that would have been interesting!

I also thought the same thing (and i'm American).

:lol

 

[Guy LeDouche]

But practical for most people? Probably not.

its not meant for grandma to check email. It's a heavy-duty evaluation system.

 

[Suikoguy]

Cool, so I can say I was "Scanned by a Cell Processor"?



But seriously, I had no idea they would actually be able to use that much raw computer for such an application.

 

[BlueTsunami]

But seriously, I had no idea they would actually be able to use that much raw computer for such an application.

There was a video about it...I'll see if I can find it

It mainly takes 2D images of your body (say your torso) and splits it up into very tiny slices. It then recompiles the image into a 3D object in realtime.

A Hospital server would take about 5 Minutes to render this image (I think they where using Dual Xeons or something. With the Cell Processor (I think they were using Dual Cells) It did it in about 30 Seconds.

Heres the actual Demo video: http://www.mc.com/cell/demo.cfm

 

[Timedog]

I don't get why this is a big deal, don't developers have cell chips too? It's not like it's being mass produced, and it's probably expensive as shit.

 

[Suikoguy]

There was a video about it...I'll see if I can find it

It mainly takes 2D images of your body (say your torso) and splits it up into very tiny slices. It then recompiles the image into a 3D object in realtime.

A Hospital server would take about 5 Minutes to render this image (I think they where using Dual Xeons or something. With the Cell Processor (I think they were using Dual Cells) It did it in about 30 Seconds.

Heres the actual Demo video: http://www.mc.com/cell/demo.cfm

Thanks for that, very interesting.

 

[BlueTsunami]

I don't get why this is a big deal, don't developers have cell chips too? It's not like it's being mass produced, and it's probably expensive as shit.

Its one of the first companies (outside of Toshiba, IBM and Sony) to buy into Cell with their own kits (being sold to Medical Facilites for 3D imaging).

Thanks for that, very interesting.

No problem

 

[mrklaw]

Business question:

Do you think its possible, with some creative accounting, for Sony to offset most of the R&D cost of CELL onto these other, more niche (and expensive) areas? eg medical, defense?

That could help Sony keep the costs of PS3 down.

 

[DarienA]

Business question:

Do you think its possible, with some creative accounting, for Sony to offset most of the R&D cost of CELL onto these other, more niche (and expensive) areas? eg medical, defense?

That could help Sony keep the costs of PS3 down.

...the plan has always been to offset costs related to Cell by placing it in to as many products as possible. That's not new news.

 

[gofreak]

Business question:

Do you think its possible, with some creative accounting, for Sony to offset most of the R&D cost of CELL onto these other, more niche (and expensive) areas? eg medical, defense?

That could help Sony keep the costs of PS3 down.

Yes.

For example, on a particular Cell wafer, you'll have some chips with 8 SPUs working, some with 7, 6, 5, and so on. That wafer has a fixed cost, but instead of dividing the wafer's cost by the number of chips evenly, they could weight the cost. For example, they could sell the 8-SPU chips to IBM or their customers for a premium - meaning those chips would cover more of the manufacturing cost of the wafer than the other chips do. And instead of throwing about chips with fewer than 7 SPUs working, they could maybe find a customer for them internally (with other Sony devices like TVs), or at Toshiba etc.

However, I guess it really depends on how volumes are - Sony may not be able to afford to sell on any 8-SPU chips for example, initially. They made need all the chips with 7 SPUs or more simply to satisfy PS3 demand.

 

[mrklaw]

...the plan has always been to offset costs related to Cell by placing it in to as many products as possible. That's not new news.

thats a different answer. My question was about strategically offsetting disproportionate costs against specific areas. Maybe that'll just happen based on volume (per unit R&D costs for millions of CELLs Vs a few thousand servers)

 

[DarienA]

thats a different answer. My question was about strategically offsetting disproportionate costs against specific areas. Maybe that'll just happen based on volume (per unit R&D costs for millions of CELLs Vs a few thousand servers)

Ah then I guess gofreak answered your question.