IBM cancels Cell Processor development

[NaRu]

The same processor that powers your PS3 IBM has canceled any development on it
http://www.playstationuniversity.com/ibm-cancels-cell-processor-development-1295/

[fohfoh]

I thought that IBM only stopped producing cell processors over a certain size and didn't totally scrap the whole project.

[NaRu]

from what I was told IBM only dropped the cell processor. This doesnt mean that they are not making something else. I believe they might design a CPU+GPU hybrid processor

[fohfoh]

http://www.hardwareheaven.com/news.php?newsid=344

They're stopping the ones with greater than 32 SPEs.

In November 2009, an IBM representative said that it has discontinued the development of a Cell processor with 32 SPUs[19][20] but they have not halted development of other future products in the Cell family.[21]

[NaRu]

ah it seems I read it wrong. Thanks

[fohfoh]

ah it seems I read it wrong. Thanks

npz. Afaik (don't quote me on this) they're just dumping the server level of cell technology. Not other applications of cell technology. IMO it's more along the lines of the fact that Cell isn't as fully established yet. Instead of jamming a whole whack of "inefficient" chips together (inefficient in the sense that the technology isn't fully tuned and optimized in comparison to alternatives).

Just like a car. Do you jam a whole whack load of not fully "optimized" parts together for your V12? Or do you tinker around in the V4-V8 stages and take the best to toss into your V12 (which generally is a highly tuned amazing fucker of beasts).

I assume IBM will go back in a few years once they figure out how to get the most efficient power usage, heat distribution etc. by putting them into smaller technological components. (Cell based handhelds anyone?)

That's just my speculation.