Cell CPU as the next thing?

[vox]

Saying something outperforms a Pentium IV is not saying much at all. Pentium IIIs outperform P4s, clock-for-clock. There's a reason Intel dropped Netburst completely and went back to the P3 as the basis for designing the Core architecture.

I do believe Cell is not as much performant, as parallel core computing CPU and there its more advanced then G5 chips.

So its great PPC chip, and it would be nice to see MorphOS and AMigaOS for it. Linux is already there.

[vox]

@polyp2000, ferrellsl

In the spirit of this: What I think is long overdue by now, is a discussion about Power 7! I mean, just imagine if "A-eon and the guys over at Varisys" would create a $10,000+ "AmigaOne X2000" desktop system for OS4 based on Power 7? Oh, wait... :rolleyes:

Blah Blah Blah. Playstation 3 with suitable Linux is great and cheap LinuxBox - great OS. All but firts PPEs can be used in similar fashion as multicore x64 by OS as well as I believe they can be programmed independently, all but first that is locked to Sony OS. Its great hardware, and it can be used exactly as DSP in Falcon used to - PPE can simulate or process anything so it is a great and usable design with some software that would use it.

But PPE support might come in OS 5.0 :-)

[vox]

For nearly all scenarios of use, a cheap Intel or AMD box would destroy a PS3 under Linux. The Cell's single PPC core can't even do out-of-order execution. In the scenarios where they would not, the SPU's would be put to use with specific Cell code -- something you do not find as part of the Linux OS. Sure there are a few apps that do it, but they are rare.

bp

Dont expect ARM CPU`s or even AMD CPUs to come near Intel performance, but that is easy once you have gross market share to invest in R&D.

To me, CPU that can run HTML5 broswer, 720 dpi video and other daily productivity apps and good OS is enough for 90% of people.

And Cell offers MORE PROGRAMMIBILITY then those high performant CPUs that can just share thread overload with bloated software (Win) that doesnt even use it properly.

[vox]

If I didn't mind the idea of being stuck with 256 M RAM, I'd go ahead and agree with you.

bUt I dO!!!!!!

The GPU is clocked at 550 MHz and makes use of 256 MB GDDR3 RAM clocked at 700 MHz with an effective transmission rate of 1.4 GHz

Its more VRAM and then RAM, but its designers choice.

With some virtual RAM just as backup, well optimized Linux can do a lot in 256MB fast RAM.

[vox]

And you can expand an Amiga to how much (mem)?

2GB DDR or DDR2 (less for older AmigaOne and SAM boards, 1GB or so)

Console designs are not ment to be much expanded.

[vox]

Not fair Vox, I easn't refering to NG PPC system.
My own MorphOS system has 1.5 GB.
 
But I actually gree with you that 256MB is too little.
At one time, IBM was open to tthe idea of selling the Cell to third parties (which could have brought us a board with more memory).
 
However, these days it would be difficult to get them to qualify that application and approve sales.

I stand a lot can be achieved with what is percieved today as old (0,2 or 0,5GB RAM)

More detailed specs reveal: 256K SRAM per SPE + 256MB sys RAM and 256MB VRAM. I do agree this is the serious flaw in SPS3 design, but again just see what is achieved with such low specs (e.g. Civ V just as example of more demanding app on PC)

CPU: Cell Processor

PowerPC-base Core @3.2GHz
1 VMX vector unit per core
512KB L2 cache
7 x SPE @3.2GHz
7 x 128b 128 SIMD GPRs
7 x 256KB SRAM for SPE
* 1 of 8 SPEs reserved for redundancy total floating point performance: 218 GFLOPS
GPU: RSX @550MHz

1.8 TFLOPS floating point performance
Full HD (up to 1080p) x 2 channels
Multi-way programmable parallel floating point shader pipelines
Sound: Dolby 5.1ch, DTS, LPCM, etc. (Cell-base processing)

Memory:

256MB XDR Main RAM @3.2GHz
256MB GDDR3 VRAM @700MHz

[vox]

Folks, granted this is a "hardware" issue, but does it really pertain to the Amiga?

As in, "Amiga Hardware Issues amd Discussion"

It is 32 bit compatibile PowerPC CPU, a possible target for current 32bit PPC AmigaOS

[vox]

Right! And was established earlier, no one is going to write a useful compiler. Plus the only changes in the past 20 years is better support for a 20 year old processor design (PPC), with Ultimate PPC still in development and using the same PPC design. Cell computing needs to reach the mainstream somewhere else before anyone would ever attempt it on the Amiga.

Ergo, this topic belongs in just, "Hardware Related Discussion."

True, as long as the CPU isnt supported by AmigaOs.
Cell computing is mainstream with PS3, a lot of games were made for it.
Strangely for CPU that used to drive supercomputers.

Sadly, like with PA Semi, it seems we will never see advanced designs.

And I assume Cell is way better then PA Semi in many aspects (I am no hardware guru, simply as more modern design)

Is this what you were looking for?
http://www.bsc.es/computer-sciences/programming-models/linux-cell/cell-be-sdks/sdk-31/cell-be-components/gnu-toolchain

[vox]

The Playstation is a "Play Station," with no higher expectation to replace a desktop computer; many only consider the Amiga as the same thing -- so go for it!

Those supercomputers run one Program: weather forecasting, atomic bomb simulations, DNA analysis, car crash results, and chess. They also could not replace a desktop computer.

If you can not tell the difference except by vague analogy, then this subtopic in the forum could include tuning you '68 Camaro's to use unleaded gas; it is hardware and you can carry an Amiga in it

Agreed on points made, but don‚t forget there is a lightweight multitasking OSs such as Linux, AOS 4 or MorphOS and AROS that can ran on that HW.

I would be eager to say its just other way around; running something not demanding on something realativly new and most powerful to that one.

PS3 was a dream in no HW days.

Now, yes, some newer design might be used.

Console is a locked console, but those few that could be hacked to be desktops have proven to be quite capable.

[vox]

With a price tag to make them an uncompetitive with a used stationary computer?

No one can compete to mass fabrication in China.

But I am very much glad there is something made in Europe. It makes me think quality is back.

[vox]

PowerPC emulator runs fine.

Having Rosetta software open sourced now its no longer part of OS X would be nice thing to do :-)