143
rate

IBM shrinks chips (Again)

February 09, 2008 in News comments 8

As some may recall, Sony managed to shrink the Cell down from a 90mm process to a 65nm process back in November. Well, IBM just announced that they have successfully managed to shrink it down to 45nm. In short, this means cooler running PS3s that require less electricity, as well as being cheaper to manufacture.

NOTE: Picture is of the 90mm Cell

At an ISSCC session yesterday afternoon, IBM announced details of a smaller, lower-power version of the Cell BE processor that powers Sony's PlayStation 3. The Cell BE is currently fabricated on IBM's 65nm SOI process, but IBM will soon move the console chip onto the company's much-ballyhooed, next-generation 45nm high-k process.
Guticb via arstechnica.com »
Favourite this article Add source
| More
Report!

Comments

Register as a member to subscribe comments.
  • 1
    Final Blade Feb 9, 08
    The only thing that sucks is that my PS3 doesn't have this....
    • 1
      Red 9 Feb 9, 08
      Word. Well, whatever happens, I suppose.
  • 0
    Bri Feb 9, 08
    This would work well for the slimline models that are supposedly in production. I know 20 mm doesn't make much of a difference when you compare it to the scale of the PS3 you're designing, but a smaller chip in a smaller model makes sense.

    But as to whether they should put ut in regular sized PS3's? The console still has a lot of time left IMO, so it'd be smart to include it into the bigger sized models to reduce the cost of production which in turn saves money for gamers. Thumbs up.
  • 0
    Final Blade Feb 9, 08
    Im only disappointed about this cause it lowers the heat build up on the console, and my PS3 does get hot sometimes.
  • -1
    Tock Feb 9, 08
    my ps3 is under a 3 year warrenty....soooo hopefully it craps out at 2 years 11 months and futureshop just decides to give me a new one instead of trying to fix it...
    • 1
      iLLmatic Feb 10, 08
      Or better yet, hopefully it just doesn't 'crap out' at all...right?
  • 1
    shaka Feb 10, 08
    Im glad Sony added the Cell in the PS3.

    console is quiet like a baby sleeping unlike the x360 which is so freaking loud.
  • 0
    redneonfish Feb 10, 08
    Meh, I've got my PS3 im happy with it. Im not getting another just because it has a smaller cell.

This news story is archived and is closed to comments now.