Sony shrinking Chips

Guticb | November 27, 2007 | News | Playstation 3

As some people know, the Cell is now being manufactured with a 65nm process. This means that the individual cores are smaller, output less heat, and are less expensive to manufacture. Well, Sony now wants Toshiba to shrink RSX chips to 65nm too, and they also want a 45nm cell processor by the middle of next year.

According to a report from Nikkei late last week, Toshiba is planning on switching manufacturing of the PlayStation 3's RSX graphics processor to a 65nm process next month. Currently, the chip is manufacturing using a 90nm process, the same as it's been since the system's launch.

A smaller die size for the chip can mean cheaper production costs and less heat, contributing to lower prices for the consumer, and a quieter, more reliable PS3 system.

The latest versions of the system's Cell CPU are being manufactured using a 65nm process. It is widely believed that the switch to 65nm for the Cell is one of the main reasons Sony was able to drop the PS3's price down to $399 in time for the holidays.

Nikkei also reports that Toshiba is planning on beginning manufacturing at 45nm in the latter half of the next fiscal year, and speculates that the RSX and other PlayStation 3 chips are prime candidates for the new line.

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0 thumbs!
TwilightPrince | November 28, 2007

PS3 slim anyone?

Maybe.
- 0 thumbs!
  DEZVOUS | November 28, 2007
  
  A smaller die processor shouldn't make a huge difference in the ability to make the console itself smaller. Unless the cooler/heatsink for the CPU really takes up that much space.
0 thumbs!
Charuzu | November 28, 2007

Looks like it.

But hopefully it wont be out for another 3yrs because i want a ps3 slim lol.
-2 thumbs!
iLLmatic | November 28, 2007

They didn't waste much time.
0 thumbs!
Final Blade | November 28, 2007

Ok i have a question: Would the smaller cell chips be better or limited compared to the original, besides price of the chips. No flaming or attacking me im curious to know how the smaller Cell chips would function.
- 1 thumbs!
  tallteen86 | November 28, 2007
  
  Smaller = better...
  
  They will be more energy efficient (require less electricity) and thusly should perform better than current ones...
  
  It would also make them cheaper to manufacture....
  
  In other words, it is Win-Win ^_~
  - 0 thumbs!
    Final Blade | November 28, 2007
    
    Thanks. I thought it would be better wasn't sure and needed to ask someone. Hopefully the 45nm comes out and the RSX becomes cheaper we might be looking at a $299 system, wow the sales will go through the roof not to mention the games that will be available then
    - 0 thumbs!
      Supernouva | November 28, 2007
      
      Not likely, but you are right about one thing--producing the components will be cheaper.
    - 0 thumbs!
      Final Blade | November 28, 2007
      
      Um whatever you say Super, why do you think the PS3 40GB now is $399 cause of the 65nm chips and if they lower it again by then the PS3 will be $299 and with the awesome 08 line-up expect some heavy sales for the PS3.
0 thumbs!
StabWound | November 28, 2007

It's not like they got overly hot in the first place. Just saving sony some money, good for them.
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Seproth | November 28, 2007

Well the PS3 itself won't get any smaller because of this. Unless they decide to move the power supply outside of the console. Because even with less heat and smaller chips they would still need a heatsink.
- 0 thumbs!
  Final Blade | November 29, 2007
  
  No one denying that though.
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tidus04 | December 01, 2007

Why did they just not use this originally is what I am asking myself. It would have been better would it have not ?