US Air Force buys 2200 PlayStation 3s

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 24th November 2009
Comments (34) Stumble
US Air Force buys 2200 PlayStation 3s

The US Air Force has bought more than 2000 PS3s to help build a supercomputer array for military research.

The US Air Force has announced that it has bought more than 2000 PlayStation 3 consoles from Sony to put to use in expanding a military research project based in New York.

According to Eurogamer the US Air Force is adding 2200 new PlayStation 3s to an existing array of 336 consoles already being used in the Air Force Research Laboratory based in Rome, New York.

The PS3s will apparently all get networked together and the Air Force will make use of Sony's Cell processor for military research in the fields of multiple radar imaging and high-definition video processing.

The most interesting application of all for the PlayStation 3 though is new research into neuromorphic computing. That's a new field of computing which tries to build PCs that can analyse information in ways similar to a human brain!

That's just the research they've seen fit to announce too, so who knows what other Top Secret plans Sony's console could be put to use on!

The PlayStation 3 isn't the only console getting interest from military concerns though. Just yesterday the UK intelligence body CGHQ announced it was going to start advertising on Xbox Live as part of a recruitment drive.

Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Quote cgthomas 24th November 2009, 13:08
How come they use PS3's for computing arrays? Hope somebody can explain in which aspect a PS3 is better than the latest and fastest GPU's with CUDA and Physix?
Thaks
Quote liratheal 24th November 2009, 13:09
Warhawk counts as research, right?
Quote proxess 24th November 2009, 13:09
Imagine all the good that they could (but will not) be doing if they used all that power for Folding and not war mongering.
Quote PureSilver 24th November 2009, 13:16
I'm actually all for this - firstly, it's got to be cheaper than proper supercomputer arrays, secondly, maybe the US will stick to Modern Warfare 2 rather than Gulf Warfare 2 next time and thirdly, it helps very slightly with the PS3's disappointing sales. Plus if they'd bought Wiis they'd be laughed at.

I know it's not a PS3 game, but imagine how tense a good game of DEFCON would be in the War Room!
Quote fodder 24th November 2009, 13:39
Classic decision by committee. IBM have announced that the cell processor tech is an 'evolutionary dead end'. Maybe in 5 years or so they will decide GPU processors are the way to go...
Quote scawp 24th November 2009, 13:42
"2200 new PlayStation 3s"

Thats going to be a waste of money then seen as the new slim ps3's don't support 3rd party OS'es
Quote cowtc 24th November 2009, 13:54
Their probably learning new things or using examples from Modern Warfare 2
Quote RedDethX 24th November 2009, 14:11
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgthomas
How come they use PS3's for computing arrays? Hope somebody can explain in which aspect a PS3 is better than the latest and fastest GPU's with CUDA and Physix?
Thaks

I believe a PS3 gives more flops per watt than a video card, also, I'm thinking if they're not for gaming, they'd have to be the old fat ones to support Linux. Kind of strange o.O
Quote rickysio 24th November 2009, 14:15
Quote:
How come they use PS3's for computing arrays? Hope somebody can explain in which aspect a PS3 is better than the latest and fastest GPU's with CUDA and Physix?
Thaks

PS3s are better in some areas, and does draw lesser power.

And they take up lesser space.
Quote cybergenics 24th November 2009, 14:43
......and cost less than Nvidia Tesla / Cuda / Whatevertheycall it setups.
Quote cgthomas 24th November 2009, 14:46
But cost are not an issue to defence and governemt projects. They use SSD on their systems.....
I'm still not convinced... either I'm wrong or times have changed and governments ARE actually capped by a budget
Quote cjoyce1980 24th November 2009, 14:50
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgthomas
How come they use PS3's for computing arrays? Hope somebody can explain in which aspect a PS3 is better than the latest and fastest GPU's with CUDA and Physix?
Thaks

cost would be one
Quote:
Originally Posted by scawp
"2200 new PlayStation 3s"

Thats going to be a waste of money then seen as the new slim ps3's don't support 3rd party OS'es

yes, I know..... to me this seems silly, but the US is never known for intelligent ideas
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickysio
PS3s are better in some areas, and does draw lesser power.

And they take up lesser space.

if the US Air Force is going all eco on us, does that mean missiles and nukes are going to be filled with pot pourri now :?
Quote Gareth Halfacree 24th November 2009, 14:59
Quote:
Originally Posted by PureSilver
[...] maybe the US will stick to Modern Warfare 2 rather than Gulf Warfare 2 next time [...]
You, sir, win at the Internet.
Quote identikit 24th November 2009, 15:07
When will Sony and IBM team up and release a dedicated system that is simply designed for crunching numbers? I guess you could fit two motherboards and psus into a 1u chassis with a bit of squeezing.
Quote steveo_mcg 24th November 2009, 15:38
Probably not doing Sony any favours really, how much money does Sony make/loose on each console? Its not like the Air Force are going to be buying any games for these consoles we all know they are being used to run a second Star Gate.
Quote StevieC 24th November 2009, 15:43
You mean, like this?

(It is now discontinued, btw)
Quote Jenny_Y8S 24th November 2009, 17:36
Quote:
Originally Posted by cgthomas
How come they use PS3's for computing arrays? Hope somebody can explain in which aspect a PS3 is better than the latest and fastest GPU's with CUDA and Physix?
Thaks

Very modular, easy to swap out nodes as and when. No need to keep a massive stock of spare boards, dimms etc.

If you want to build a supercomputer you want each node to be as fast as possible while being as architectually simple as possible. An i7 + SLI + CUDA solution (for example) will no doubt be great but is based on tech designed to be compatible and expandible. A console is just plug and play
Quote gurboura 24th November 2009, 17:58
Quote:
Originally Posted by cjoyce1980
Quote:
Originally Posted by scawp
"2200 new PlayStation 3s"

Thats going to be a waste of money then seen as the new slim ps3's don't support 3rd party OS'es

yes, I know..... to me this seems silly, but the US is never known for intelligent ideas
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickysio

They've had an existing array, they also didn't mention if they had bought the Slim PS3s or the regular PS3s. Being a government agency and buying so many, they had a say in which version of the PS3 they bought.
Quote ZERO <ibis> 24th November 2009, 18:51
Well does anyone really expect the gov to spend money in efficient ways. :(

What is funny is that they actually cost Sony a bunch of money because they are not going to buy any games rofl
Quote PureSilver 24th November 2009, 19:02
Quote:
Originally Posted by ZERO <ibis>
What is funny is that they actually cost Sony a bunch of money because they are not going to buy any games rofl

I completely forgot about that :)
Quote frontline 24th November 2009, 19:37
The US military have clearly discovered the delights of HD porn on blu-ray
Quote PureSilver 24th November 2009, 20:16
Quote:
Originally Posted by frontline
The US military have clearly discovered the delights of HD porn on blu-ray

Or maybe they've got the inside line on 3D porn that WILL arrive in 2010 with the PS3's 3D...
Quote Star*Dagger 24th November 2009, 21:00
And they are going to name it SkyNet, oh wait, frack!
Quote steleet 25th November 2009, 04:25
Quote:
Originally Posted by PureSilver
I'm actually all for this - firstly, it's got to be cheaper than proper supercomputer arrays, secondly, maybe the US will stick to Modern Warfare 2 rather than Gulf Warfare 2 next time and thirdly, it helps very slightly with the PS3's disappointing sales. Plus if they'd bought Wiis they'd be laughed at.

I know it's not a PS3 game, but imagine how tense a good game of DEFCON would be in the War Room!

It's FPCON now. DEFCON was done away with a while ago.
Quote The_Beast 25th November 2009, 05:01
Good idea, I bet the army is going to buy 2200 360's out of spite
Quote Krayzie_B.o.n.e. 25th November 2009, 05:12
This is awsome!!! I've been in so many forums trying to explain the power of the Cell Processor and people just would not listen. Xenon this or I7 that. only a handful of CPUs can compare to the Cell.

This masterpiece was created in partnership between Sony Toshiba and IBM. you can put a Cell processor in a T.V. then connect it to a PS3 and the two cpu's will work together to maximize the performance of both devices simultaneously. Then if the T.V.'s performance is maxed out then the Chip in the T.V. will help push the PS3 to it's limits or vice versa.

The Cell is the new wave of processing architecture. The A.I. in PS3 games are gonna really be challenging once developers fully understand and learn how to "PROPERLY" program for the CELL.

Right now the Cell is very under used as far as games go. To get the most out of the Cell you have to "order program" for it correctly then basically "over program" for it so it utilizes all it's resources.

When multiple Cell run devices or processors are connected together think of it like the Borg from Star Trek, multiple minds working together or independently for one cause.

Xenons and I7 are fast, they take random data in any order and calculate it quickly then spit it out at mind blowing speeds. (current programming methods are basically an extention of these kind of cpus)

The Cell (for now) has to be taught in what order, so to speak the calculations it will perform for what ever it's doing (Like a human learning numerical order before figuring out addition) once order is programed the Cell decides how to process things through out it's architecture or load and offload duties to other Cell's in other connected devices.

The more you throw at it the better it performs because it starts to utilize more of it's resources but like everything it has a tipping point unless it senses other Cell processors are connected then it just splits the work between them. Awesome!
Quote Krayzie_B.o.n.e. 25th November 2009, 05:21
Oh and let's not forget the U.S. Air Force has the B2 stealth Bomber, F-22 Raptor and it's space program is only rivaled by that of Russia and NASA. The Cell's current first priority is the PS3 and Some high dollar Toshiba T.V. so it's easier to just buy PS3 instead of bargaining with Sony IBM and Toshiba for a batch of CPU's to bypass PS3 and Toshiba T.V. for some other use. The Corporation has got to get paid.
Quote confusis 25th November 2009, 08:41
the way i see it is that the ps3 is much cheaper than building a pc/server with equivalent performance. you can barely build a low end system here in nz for the price of a ps3.
Quote rickysio 25th November 2009, 10:53
Or maybe the Airforce just really hates Sony and decided to make them lose money making the 2.2k PS3's.
Quote Bad Horse TBoS 25th November 2009, 11:29
Quote:
Originally Posted by Krayzie_B.o.n.e.
This is awsome!!! I've been in so many forums trying to explain the power of the Cell Processor and people just would not listen. Xenon this or I7 that. only a handful of CPUs can compare to the Cell.

This masterpiece was created in partnership between Sony Toshiba and IBM. you can put a Cell processor in a T.V. then connect it to a PS3 and the two cpu's will work together to maximize the performance of both devices simultaneously. Then if the T.V.'s performance is maxed out then the Chip in the T.V. will help push the PS3 to it's limits or vice versa.

The Cell is the new wave of processing architecture. The A.I. in PS3 games are gonna really be challenging once developers fully understand and learn how to "PROPERLY" program for the CELL.

Right now the Cell is very under used as far as games go. To get the most out of the Cell you have to "order program" for it correctly then basically "over program" for it so it utilizes all it's resources.

When multiple Cell run devices or processors are connected together think of it like the Borg from Star Trek, multiple minds working together or independently for one cause.

Xenons and I7 are fast, they take random data in any order and calculate it quickly then spit it out at mind blowing speeds. (current programming methods are basically an extention of these kind of cpus)

The Cell (for now) has to be taught in what order, so to speak the calculations it will perform for what ever it's doing (Like a human learning numerical order before figuring out addition) once order is programed the Cell decides how to process things through out it's architecture or load and offload duties to other Cell's in other connected devices.

The more you throw at it the better it performs because it starts to utilize more of it's resources but like everything it has a tipping point unless it senses other Cell processors are connected then it just splits the work between them. Awesome!

So you are saying that two cell processors can network through your TV/PS3 RGA or HDMI cable and with no code other then whatever instructions are on the chip will form some sort of hive mind?
I'm not familiar with this technology is it possible that you could post links so I can do some research?
Quote Enemyvirus 25th November 2009, 11:46
The second fastest super computer on the planet is based on the Sony PS3 cell cpu

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8362825.stm
Quote:
Roadrunner, Los Alamos National Laboratory, US (1.042 petaflops; 122,400 processors)

So you can see that this isnt a flight of fancy. Massive Parralell procesing(MPP) is the current flavour in this market
Quote Burnout21 25th November 2009, 18:31
ah its F**King skynet!
Quote rickysio 26th November 2009, 03:12
Quote:

The more you throw at it the better it performs because it starts to utilize more of it's resources but like everything it has a tipping point unless it senses other Cell processors are connected then it just splits the work between them. Awesome!

And if it develops sentience in the Air Force base, we're screwed. All those military hardware under it's fingertips... Skynet Mk II?
Quote Krayzie_B.o.n.e. 26th November 2009, 07:33
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bad Horse TBoS
So you are saying that two cell processors can network through your TV/PS3 RGA or HDMI cable and with no code other then whatever instructions are on the chip will form some sort of hive mind?
I'm not familiar with this technology is it possible that you could post links so I can do some research?


Yes The Cell can. It transfer data from spe to spe via your network and no code is needed because it just uses the the data I/o of your operating system.

Toshiba has a TV with a cell processor in it that can display 48 picture in pictures screen all at once all at 1080p resolution.

When connected to a PS3 the via hdmi cable the number of screens increased but they didn't specify.

Just google "The Cell project at IBM Research" and you will be informed.

Happy reading.
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.