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Playstation 4 may not have Cell Processor

December 29, 2009 in Rumor comments 9

A report from Impress Watch has stated that Sony may replace the Cell Processor for a more traditional, multi-core processor for the Playstation 4. It's rumoured that the company is aiming to make it more developer friendly for the next generation of consoles.

A report from Japanese outlet Impress Watch states Sony is considering several options for the design of the 'PlayStation 4,' including scrapping the Cell design entirely and moving towards a traditional PC multi-core processor.
Chris717 via uk.ps3.ign.com »
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  • 0
    Daweii Dec 29, 09
    Makes sense to me. I mean if in a year or so there are CPU's around with more power than the CELL but easier for developers to use, no matter how much money Sony have in CELL computing they will have to bite the bullet and go with Intel or AMD.
    • 3
      VeGiTAX2 Dec 29, 09
      Missing the point of what developers have expressed for issues. The problem isn't programming on PPC (If you stop and actually examine the current gen consoles every single one of them is based on IBM technology which is leaps ahead of Intel and AMD) it's dealing with the way the CELL is setup. Having to program for the extremely small cache sizes on the SPU's and having them compile efficiently for each pass to give the game the full potential of the chip.

      If you compare this to the 360 or the Wii or even the Power6 / Power7 PPC chips on the market the CELL has a radically different approach in that regard as all of those chips use multiple PPC cores instead of the smaller SPU.

      In scientific application the CELL is a monolith for power, there's no doubt that they made a great piece of tech, but when it comes to multitasking an entire game engine around it things get a bit more complicated and the money invested starts to climb rapidly. In a sense they got it half right this time around, the RSX was more developer friendly being based on existing NVIDIA hardware where the EE was a ground up experience that needed time to get the visuals right.

      I guess the only winner of the console race this year is IBM, they're practically rolling in money anytime a console is sold.
  • 0
    Red 9 Dec 29, 09
    So is this basically them admitting that the CELL was basically a waste of time? 'Cause using it for a console and then abandoning the design altogether for the next generation seems like that's what they're saying. Though don't get me wrong, the CELL is what made awesome games like MGS4 and Uncharted 2 possible. Though it's good that they have some intentions of at least trying to keep some of the original Cell design.
    • 0
      Smoke Dec 29, 09
      Or just wanting to progress. At the time, Cell was the way to go for them. If another way is better, it's silly not to go that way.
    • 0
      Daweii Dec 29, 09
      Red thats not it. The CELL was worthwhile, without it Killzone 2, Uncharted 2 and Metal Gear Solid 4 wouldn't have been possible. What Sony are trying to say here is if there is a more powerful option that is easier on developers they will take it. Sega recently proved there are still some developers struggling with CELL, if the PS3 had an easier CPU that was as powerful as CELL Bayonetta wouldn't suck on the PS3.. So CELL is amazing but I personally think Sony are tired of releasing a console with so much power that only the skilled devs can access.
      • 0
        Red 9 Dec 29, 09
        Well there's not much to add to that, so yeah, good point; I see what you mean
    • 0
      SUPREM_KITE Dec 30, 09
      Also the cell wasn't used in just the ps3 it has been used in some T.V.s a couple super computers and some other random tech
  • 0
    Gamesta100* Dec 29, 09
    Well the PS2 had the Emotion Engine and the PS3 the Cell Processor so it won't surprise me if they use something different for the PS4.
  • 0
    willem1969 Dec 30, 09
    They might say to the outside world they're considering and investing all options, but when the PS4 will be released, it's going to be based on the CBE ... just more powerful, accessible and flexible.
    Articles like these are nothing but smoke and mirrors for the competition

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