IBM providing CPUs for all three major next-gen consoles

[mikeymike]

Nintendo has just signed IBM to produce the CPUs for its next console.

article from: The Register

[bloodline]

I'm not sure, this is just a hunch, but... I think IBM make CPU's. :-D

[bbrv]

To carry this one step further, as suggested this past weekend on MorphOS-News and HERE

"Why would IBM push a product they didn't own the complete stack of server to client apps for? "

;-)

At least the CPU part anyway!

R&B

[dammy]

Poster: bloodline Date: 2003/11/17 10:51:02

I'm not sure, this is just a hunch, but... I think IBM make CPU's.

This grid CPU should be pretty interesting if it's got all three game boxes running on it.  Who else is in this developement, Toshiba?

Dammy

[gnarly]

And if this Microsoft Nintendo IBM ATi Toshiba thingymagig runs AOS 4 we'll all be laughing.

Sooo not gonna happen though

[iamaboringperson]

But speaking last week at the unveiling of a TV-sized supercomputer

:-?
What is a 'TV-sized' supercomputer?

speculation is mounting that the new Nintendo and Xbox 2 may be one and the same thing, with the two firms essentially offering two, individual products both derived from a common platform.

I thought xbox would sick to x86, and nintento PPC?

[downix]

I thought xbox would sick to x86, and nintento PPC?

Nope.  That's why Microsoft bought that x86 emulation company, to run legacy x-box software.

By switching to PPC they gained more than they lost.

[Quixote]

Downix delivered:

By switching to PPC they gained more than they lost.

:-? Then, why did so many lambaste Amiga, Inc. for making the same choice for the AmigaOne?

[Waccoon]

Then, why did so many lambaste Amiga, Inc. for making the same choice for the AmigaOne?

1) It wasn't their decision.  Tao does not require PPC.

2) Because they're a small-time developer, and can't do stupid things like use slow, obsolete, expensive proprietary hardware.  Companies that use proprietary hardware charge you $10,000 for a workstation, then charge you $5,000 for a CPU upgrade from 450Mhz to 800Mhz that works with your system.  Yes, those are actual prices.  I know this through experience.

3) AmigaOne is a PC, not a game console.  The hardware needs to be flexible.  Early AmigaOnes didn't even have socketed CPUs, which shows you how much the manufacturer cares about flexibility.

4) PPC market is different than the x86 market.  x86 chips are made to be desktop machines, and are optimized for hazardously high performance at the expense of heat, power, and displacement.  PPC cores are made for the embedded market, where waste is not tolerated.  There's no doubt PPC is a supirior architecture, but, let's be real...  PPC's are notorious for getting their asses kicked by x86.  It's not the technology that's important, it's the needs (and wants) of the customer.  I sure as hell don't want a slow PPC when I can have a fast x86, no matter how huge a heatsink it needs.  I'm sure most people agree with me, which is why we all use Wintel machines, not Amigas.

When PPC technology is put to good desktop use and can run circles around x86 without needing "Dual CPUs", I'll buy it.  Until then, x86 serves my purposes better.  I never wanted a PPC Amiga, and millions of other people don't, either.

---

Is it forged in stone that the XBox2 will be a true PPC, a modified PPC specially tailored for the XBox2, or a completely different hybrid CPU?  Microsoft is a HUGE company, and I'm sure they can afford to have modifications made to the PPC core just to suit their interests.  Nobody said Microsoft is going to take a G5 and solder it to the XBox2 mobo.

Most console hardware is vastly different than the vanilla hardware we PC users buy.  Console companies can afford to have their hardware Made to Order.   ;-)

[Panthro]

By switching to PPC they gained more than they lost.

maybe they lost windows therefore gaining much more than lost... raise your hand if you've seen a

Xblock with the blue screen of death :-D  :-D  

scary that they are using ATI ......I loved ATI cars ages ago now they are just coming to dominence. 8-)


weird got this at the site IBM's going into damage control.....  :-?

The slides from IBM's keynote presentation at the Desktop Linux Consortium conference are not available at this time. IBM informed DesktopLinux.com that the presentation we initially posted was not "approved" for publication, and they will provide a replacement within a few days.

what do ya think BBRV does anyone have the post like in thier cache or somthing :-P

[minator]

By switching to PPC they gained more than they lost

I would hope so given that their Home & Entertainment division lost $273 million in Q3.

raise your hand if you've seen a

Xblock with the blue screen of death

You won't, they have the [color=009900]green[/color] screen of death  :-D
...and no I'm not kidding!

[Hammer]

I thought xbox would sick to x86,

Note that proto-X-BOX Sega Dreamcast (installed with Windows CE variant) is powered by SH4 processor. There should be a Dreamcast emulator floating somewhere in the WWW.

[KennyR]

Waccoon wrote:
I never wanted a PPC Amiga, and millions of other people don't, either.

Then they're never going to get what they want. Trying to sell x86 hardware or just software alone in such a small market as the Amiga just doesn't make economic sense.

[dammy]

Poster: Waccoon Date: 2003/11/18 3:32:03

Is it forged in stone that the XBox2 will be a true PPC, a modified PPC specially tailored for the XBox2, or a completely different hybrid CPU? Microsoft is a HUGE company, and I'm sure they can afford to have modifications made to the PPC core just to suit their interests. Nobody said Microsoft is going to take a G5 and solder it to the XBox2 mobo.

Odds are it's going to be the Sony/IBM/Toshiba distributive CPU.  Is it a PPC at the core, is the big question.  Noting what the game consols are selling for, it's going to be mighty tough for a $400 superduper game consol to have Power4/5 based core in it.

Dammy

[ksk]

@Waccoon

"I sure as hell don't want a slow PPC when I can have a fast x86, no matter how huge a heatsink it needs. I'm sure most people agree with me, which is why we all use Wintel machines, not Amigas."

A lot of people disagree with you.

Price and SW availability are biggest reasons.

Most (if not every) Amiga fans, would buy PPC if they could do with it all what they want/need to get done.

"When PPC technology is put to good desktop use and can run circles around x86 without needing "Dual CPUs", I'll buy it. "

If a Amigan can do everyting one needs on a PPCAmiga (as fast as on x86) and if it is not more expensive, he/she definitely buys "PPC". Except you, because wintel is better untill PPC runs circles around it.  

"Until then, x86 serves my purposes better. I never wanted a PPC Amiga, and millions of other people don't, either."

It seems you do not want Amiga untill it runs circles around x86.