40GB PS3 still features 90nm Cell

Author: Tim Smalley
Published: 6th November 2007
Comments (11) Stumble
40GB PS3 still features 90nm Cell

Sony's new 40GB PlayStation 3 doesn't feature a 65nm Cell processor after all. Instead, the power savings were made elsewhere in the system.

Sony has confirmed that the new 40GB version of the PlayStation 3, which debuted in Europe last month, will feature a 90nm Cell processor after last week’s rumours suggested that the new model might use a 65nm Cell.

The rumour mill started to simmer when Sony’s Chief Financial Officer, Nobuyuki Oneda said in a conference call earlier this year that both the Cell processor and the RSX graphics processor would be re-spun on a 65nm process at some point. He also said that the Cell processor would be the first to make the transition.

They then reached boiling point last week when German site Computer Base reported that the new machine had much lower power consumption, and then directly attributed this to new revisions of the Cell and RSX chips manufactured on a 65nm process.

Despite the rumours about the CPU and GPU inside the PS3 using a 65nm process being false, the new PS3 model does significantly reduce power consumption compared to other models. The number is reportedly as high as 32.5 percent, and this power saving is reportedly because Sony has used different components in the newer model.

The 65nm Cell processor was seen by some as one of the few benefits that the new model had, as it lacks backwards compatibility, reduces the number of USB ports, has a smaller hard drive and completely removes the flash memory card slots in order to meet the €400 price point.

Sony told Heise that the 65nm Cell processor will be coming to the newly manufactured PS3s in the coming months, but didn’t detail exactly when this transition was likely to be made.

Discuss in the forums
Quote UncertainGod 6th November 2007, 12:28
That would have been a bit difficult since none of the cell broadband engine fab's are at 65nm yet.
Quote cjoyce1980 6th November 2007, 12:41
PS3 cell is poo anyway, its so chopped down that the celeron brand looks amazing compared to it
Quote oasked 6th November 2007, 13:02
^ Not true. PS3's are ripping through "Folding at Home" at the moment.

The cell is not a general purpose chip like a CPU, it is more specialised and better (and worse) at some specific things. As a whole console though, the PS3 is about the same as the Xbox 360, both have strengths and weaknesses.
Quote Tim S 6th November 2007, 13:52
The biggest weakness for the PS3 at the moment is the lack of good games - hopefully that will change this Christmas though. :)
Quote Goty 6th November 2007, 14:05
I don't know why a 65nm version of the Cell would be a selling point for the newer PS3s. Sure, it would help lower power consumption and would drop the heat output a bit, but I don't know anyone who leaves their console on long enough or uses it often enough to really worry about the power consumptions (except for those who fold) and the PS3 has never had any heat issues outside of retail demo kiosks.
Quote Bindibadgi 6th November 2007, 14:27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Goty
I don't know why a 65nm version of the Cell would be a selling point for the newer PS3s. Sure, it would help lower power consumption and would drop the heat output a bit, but I don't know anyone who leaves their console on long enough or uses it often enough to really worry about the power consumptions (except for those who fold) and the PS3 has never had any heat issues outside of retail demo kiosks.

Folding at home - many, many people do this as is evident from the latest world record breaking numbers.
Quote sandys 6th November 2007, 15:07
I often leave mine folding whilst I am waiting for downloads to complete, can't say I'd leave the machine on just to fold but if the machine is on anyway and I am not gaming why not eh.

I've done a whopping 9 units since march, I guess thats not very hardcore
Quote devdevil85 6th November 2007, 21:54
this really isn't a big deal, but it's cool to see the power savings Sony's added to the current architecture....65nm is only for profit margins (and pricedrops) and people that play/leave the PS3 on all the time....heat shouldn't be an issue since it's not like the thing overheats like 360.....time will tell I guess....
Quote r4tch3t 7th November 2007, 05:41
When I get my PS3 I will be leaving it on 24/7 so hopefully 65nm will be out by then. If not its like $0.30 a day to run now.
Quote Nature 7th November 2007, 10:21
I remember when the RSX GPU was compared and considered equal to the 7800GTX, and trying to plaay games at 1080p with a 7800 is pretty hard.

They should make a deal with Nvidia and put the elusive 8800m/go in the ps3!
Quote devdevil85 9th November 2007, 22:30
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nature
I remember when the RSX GPU was compared and considered equal to the 7800GTX, and trying to plaay games at 1080p with a 7800 is pretty hard.
So you are trying to say that the RSX GPU compared to the 7800GTX is not a fair comparison, right? Just playing Uncharted last night, I can honestly say that no 7800GTX could ever pull that game off....especially in 1080p....
Log in

You are not logged in, please login with your forum account below. If you don't already have an account please register to start contributing.







Mobile Phones

LG Arena ReviewHTC Magic Review

Compare over 250 mobile phones &
52,000 deals!



Broadband

Mobile Broadband

Compare over 100 broadband & mobile broadband deals online!