Computing Nirvana or Mega Hype

One Holy Grail of CG animation and Gaming is the Central Processing Unit (CPU). No media developer, CG artist, or gamer can ever get enough speed. Every generation of processor boasts some rate of speed increase which can save precious time rendering or make someone more competitive.

Now we can add another contender to race. This competitor not only wants to compete, but also dethrone the CPU architecture champ in the PC market. This new chip is called the Cell. It is a joint development between IBM, Sony, and Toshiba and is being positioned as threat to the Intel corporations dominate x86 processor.

Chip companies like IBM, AMD, Intel, nVidia, and ATI regularly gear up their PR machines with performance numbers boasting “x” performance and how they will lead their particular industries. However in the case of the Cell processor, it comes wrapped up with some very weighty claims. Boasting unprecedented speed and performance, the Cell is targeting the company that dominates 95% of the worlds PC’s.
I’ll also note here that this is the next processor that will run Sony’s Playstation 3 (PS3).

Now taking on Intel is a pretty bold statement to make, especially since this raw power has yet to be showcased. Attempts to whittle Intel’s x86’s dominance have been hoisted about since the late 80’s and early 90’s. To this date, none have succeeded the x86 processor in the PC market. In fact the x86 processor has enjoyed a healthy increase in market share since the mid 1990s.

So what does the Cell mean to computer users in general? Not much. At least not until IBM decides to market a PC around it. And since IBM is selling its PC business that leaves the PC build a little out of sorts. However IBM’s is sure to leverage the Cell in its server market.

I believe all the performance talk is a different sell. All the press or hype may be to ease people into the cost of buying a new PS3. What would you pay for console system that uses such an advanced chip like the Cell? Would you pay $400 maybe $500? Remember this is a processor can outperform the fastest PC Workstations costing $1800-$2200.

That’s it. For $500 the PS3 is faster and more powerful than a PC Workstation at 1/3 the cost. What about the Cell PC? Sorry, despite the grandiose claims of threatening Intel’s PC market, the Cell appears targeted at the Linux server market. It's genius marketing or hype and I am sure sales in PS3’s will take off.