Sony Thinking Of Using PS3 Cell Processor In PlayStation 4?

Much has been made about the super powerful Cell processor that is featured in Sony's PlayStation 3; going strictly by the numbers, it makes the console the most powerful system on the market. However, is it powerful enough to sustain the next generation as well as this one?

GameCyte points us in the direction of Japanese tech news site PC Watch, which reports that as a "cost-saving measure," Sony has started to "seriously consider" basing their next console on the same Cell processor that currently resides within the PS3 architecture. PC Watch doesn't cite any official sources, but they say Sony is quietly talking to numerous developers to get their feedback on the idea. The site believes that although Sony would eventually want to move past the Cell, they may want to get the most out of that impressive piece of technology. Most developers will tell you they currently have no way of tapping into all the potential the Cell affords, so perhaps putting it into the PlayStation 4 isn't a bad idea. Then again, if the PS3 really has a 10-year lifespan - Sony has been saying that since the console's inception - isn't that enough time to harness any and all hidden power...?

Or, and this is another possibility, that 10-year lifespan may only apply to the Cell and not to the PS3. Perhaps the PS4 is closer than we think, simply because Sony plans to use the already-established technology in the new machine. After all, we hear Microsoft is planning to release the next Xbox in only three or four years time. Plus, that Cell processor took a fortune to create and produce and it wouldn't be surprising to learn that Sony wants to wring even more profit out of that little chip. It'll be interesting to see what transpires, at any rate.

9/30/2008 Ben Dutka

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Comments (40 posts)

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Scarecrow
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:21:40 PM
Reply

Yeah been reading that they want ps4 to be similar in power to ps3....or something of that nature....

I mean....if they're gonna use a SUPER UPDATED version of the Cell Processor in 2012-2013 then sure. But if it's gonna be the same Processor then they gotta rethink that.

But it is a powerful processor, I'll give them that.

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shaydey77
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:31:35 PM
Reply

Probable end up putting a Dual Cell Processor of some sort. I dont realy want any news on Ps4 yet...only had my Ps3 for four months now!!

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NEWCL0UD
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:35:25 PM
Reply

this could good because they'll be cheaper by the time ps4 comes
and the will reduces the cost and if they keep the blu ray player were looking at a possible 400-450$ at launch

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Orvisman
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 8:58:59 AM

Way cheaper than that.

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LCF
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:40:02 PM
Reply

Well he said the PS4 will have anywhere from 10-20 Cell cores.Making 2-3X more powerful.Also with a higher clock speed.

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shindelion
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 1:45:35 PM
Reply

I think it would be very wise. Price would help it out big time at launch. Surely they will change the video card and more. I heard or more likely read that Sony is trying to push it out before the new Xbox. I personally don't think that's wise, cause haste make waste (red ring of death). look at the Wii, it did well because it was cheap and it came out a year later. I hope Sony thought about that.

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taus90
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:02:24 PM
Reply

sony might consider using processor used in cell blade which is PowerXCell 8i, specs:
all 8 active SPE (Ps3 only 6 active out of 8)
Support upto 32Gb DDR2 (may be they will support 1 gb XDR for games and 512 DDR3 for video, two HDMI, three Gigabit ethernet, port as planned intially for PS3, and quad layer Bluray support.

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cr67
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:02:32 PM
Reply

I think it's a smart move on Sony's part in a number of ways. Like LCF noted, as long as they up the clock speed and add more memory to cut back on the long download times in the beginning of many games as well as making it backward compatible with PS3 titles They'll have a great new system to offer the public come 2010-12.

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Aftab
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:07:07 PM
Reply

I'm not sure it was just haste that caused ROD. I think its an example of a company doing something outside their specialty. Granted, a higher number of bugs is always associated with an early release, with less time for testing, but ROD lasted for a quite a while.

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taus90
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:13:41 PM
Reply

but the problem i dont think they will upgrade the processor, becasue sony has already with drawn from cell development, and the processor which i mentioned above is developed by IBM not by STI so it is up for grabs which means microsoft also has a chance to grab that processor, i think sony will use the same processor not sure about the speed all 8 active SPE and increased memory.

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Jordahn
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:42:30 PM
Reply

Is it possible that if SONY sticks with similar but a more powerful version of the PS3 hardware that it might make it easier for developers to program for???

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Orvisman
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 9:00:31 AM

Yes.

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fatchad420
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:48:33 PM
Reply

OVER CLOCK THAT SH**!

Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 9/30/2008 3:15:24 PM

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shindelion
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 3:03:59 PM

over clock might lead to overheat

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taus90
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 2:56:08 PM
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remember the early prototype version, Cell processor 4Ghz, two hdmi, three ethernet ports, 6 USB.

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Orvisman
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 9:03:50 AM

You would've been able to hook your PS3 up to two HDTVs at once for a huge two-TV screen. I guess they came to thier senses and realized only a few people could afford to do that.

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Bugzbunny109
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 3:11:46 PM
Reply

I am planing on working with sony, and i have a very good idea for a cell processor. Sony should not use the same one on the ps3, because it's going to seem last-gen[ if i may say]

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caliblue15
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 3:37:33 PM
Reply

This has already been disproved by a working employee inside of Sony.

Though he did say they are looking into upgrading the current Cell. So programmers will be able to work on the PS4 much more efficiently.

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www
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 4:03:19 PM
Reply

Well if Sony are thinkin bout ps4 now,dat means they've accepted DEFEAT! for this gen and are thinkin to take up dat "first come-first serve",to have quick sales against the xbox 720.

Ps4 might also be an excuse for those complains about Ps3 havin a brilliant cell processor but not enuff memory,therefore ps4 will have dat memory in abundance with a new video card,basically dat's wat i think

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Macintoshgamer
Saturday, October 04, 2008 @ 12:01:39 PM

No, they haven't. The PS3 has been selling more throughout all this year and is catching up with total number of sales with the 360. The PS3 has a much better holiday lineup of games. SONY said that the PS3 will live for 10 years. Its only 2 years old, so the only thing we should be thinking about is a PS3 Slim and not a PS4.

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taus90
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 5:06:51 PM
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thinking about next console means defeat > lol

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WorldEndsWithMe
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 5:16:13 PM
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Gun-jumping is afoot here, it sounds like they are just looking into it as a way of keeping the costs down for PS4, not as a way to begin developing the actual system. The price of PS3 puts some people off who don't care about blu-ray. Also i think if they are going to go with this idea it would be wise to create an in-house toolset that is extremely versatile and just say to 3P devs "Hey, sign a contract to make your game PS4 exclusive and we'll give you the toolset." The problem this gen seems to be devs wrapping their heads around programming for the damn thing versus the simpleton architecture of the Xbox PleaseFixMe.

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NoMoreWar
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 5:36:09 PM
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isn't a bit dumb for them to be thinking that right now? come on. we still have 8-9 more years for some newer, cooler, more badass piece of technology to be delivered. who knows what will be available?

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bamf
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 6:27:00 PM
Reply

I don't think all of Sony are putting all of their resources and time into thinking about the PS4. There's probably a small group of engineers placing their efforts into this. The enginers who built the PS3, what are they up to now?

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orangpelupa
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:00:19 PM
Reply

using Cell in PS4 is good.

game developers not need to do the learning-curve again.

Game devs can make great game.

i just hope sony use better GPU. a fast GPU...
and a lot of Video RAM.

thats will make games can run in hi-red 60fps and hi-res textures.

not like the low-res textures we get in MGS4.

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Aftab
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:02:32 PM
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Yeah, and also pays to be ahead of the game. No sense in thinking about it after the other console has been released.

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orangpelupa
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:18:21 PM
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with the power of PS4. we can Forget Pre-rendered Stuff :)

no need for big capacity multilayer 250GB BluRay disc.

using the current 50GB bluray discs on PS4 also ean lower prices for the media and the drive

the only thing that eating space is the HD FMVs.
its about 80MB for 2minuts 30secons. (compresssed, WMV9)
and it will take hundreds of MB if using "weaker" codec.

------------------
for PS2 Backward Compatiblity, SONY need to put GS or EE GS on ps4.

PS2's GS is really unique. its not fast in general but in one specialized process it is very fast.

so fast that no cpu/gpu can emulate it in 100% speed. (btw its the reason for PCSX2, ps2 emulator on pc cant reach 100% speed without incredibly fast CPU and GPU when running MGS2)

Last edited by orangpelupa on 9/30/2008 7:19:00 PM

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AceTatsujin
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:44:03 PM
Reply

Hey Ben. Look at this man.

http://gamer.blorge.com/2008/09/30/details-of-ps4-revealed-sony-planning-to-beat-xbox-720/

Some few things you missed man.

PS4 will be twice as powerful or probably more than twice then the PS3. So far those are the only information we're getting and Sony is planning to beat MS's future console on the market. I really hope PS4 gets the next generation from start to finish.

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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 7:54:43 PM

Yeah, I saw, but the matter at hand is whether or not they'll use the Cell as the base for that power. That's all I was going for, here.

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Alienange
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 @ 9:51:19 PM
Reply

Less hardware ... more games. Please. Besides, there's the PS3 Slim to think about before any PS4 comes to market.

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Shadow_Striker
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 12:01:40 AM
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I don`t think that we will see a new playstation console for a few years yet since I think that it would only hurt them. But using the cell in the next gen console is smart since they started to develop it in 2000 I think so it only makes sense that they would try to get the most out of it. By the time that they do release the PS4 I imagine that the basic architecture of the processor will be the same but will be greatly improved.

On a unrelated note I`m new here. Have been visiting this site for a few months and decided to join up since discussions don`t seem to break down to flame wars..... nothing worse then fanboys attacking each other trying to see who has the bigger e-wang. I only have a ps3(for new), PC and handhelds (gotta have food and rent after all :P).

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jlch777
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 12:08:53 AM
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They should use an upgraded cell, more ram please, a much better video card,
4 layer bluray.

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Gabriel013
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 1:19:56 AM
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Keep the cell but for crying out loud please make whatever changes are needed to avoid installs :)

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www
Wednesday, October 01, 2008 @ 4:51:19 AM
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Actually one thing i don't understand bout this game industry IS,why isn't there a date set for all video game makers next console to be released

It seems that if MS is ready to release soon,dat means someone else has to rush n release there own soon too.Now why was Dreamcast released but was not accompanied by any competition from Sony n Nintendo BUT it turned out to be a battle between Sony Ps2,Nintendo Gamecube n MS Xbox, WHY?

Last edited by www on 10/1/2008 4:52:07 AM

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Zubs
Thursday, October 02, 2008 @ 6:19:12 AM
Reply

PS4 is PS3,just with developers having learnt to fully tap into its potential.

PS3 continues to 2018.

PS3 owners worry not, Sony is looking into long term investment for both itself and its gamers :-)

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Wage SLAVES
Thursday, October 02, 2008 @ 12:27:07 PM
Reply

Wouldnt it be nice if they somehow created usb upgrades like an external graphics card or somethin... Im no computer geek so don't go hating on my comment. BUT if it were possible It would throw a wrench in the other consoles gears to be a TRUELY future proof system.

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Pavex
Saturday, October 04, 2008 @ 10:58:21 AM
Reply

imho.....all this talk of the ps4, ps3 slim etc. is all WAAAAAY to premature. for such a powerful piece of silicon, i only wish sony had made the ps3 able to multitask better! with 6 cores..."why can't i run 'folding' while playing a game? why can (in some instances) only ONE thing can be done at a time

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creepypete
Sunday, October 05, 2008 @ 11:02:04 AM
Reply

I am mortified that they are even breathing the name PS4 at this point, . . . first things first, take care of the dam console I bought at launch , games are finally starting to come out. This talk is premature and ridiculous.

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NetheRealm
Thursday, October 09, 2008 @ 9:55:47 PM
Reply

Forget PS4. PS3 Has all the basic componenents necessary to last a long time. All it needs is a Sega 32X style hardware upgrade attachment add-on with another cell processor or 2 and graphics card upgrade for $100 to $200 to boost the memory, speed, graphics etc... A whole new machine seems like an unneccesary waste of money and effort that forces Sony to spend millions on advertising convincing everyone who finally bought a PS3 to just throw it in the trash and start over by buying a PS4.

Last edited by NetheRealm on 10/9/2008 9:59:13 PM

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NetheRealm
Thursday, October 09, 2008 @ 10:05:31 PM
Reply

Forget PS4. PS3 Has all the basic componenents necessary to last a long time. All it needs is a Sega 32X style hardware upgrade attachment add-on with another cell processor or 2 and graphics card upgrade for $100 to $200 to boost the memory, speed, graphics, multitasking ability etc... A whole new machine seems like an unnecessary waste of money and effort that forces Sony to spend millions on advertising convincing everyone who finally bought a PS3 to just throw it in the trash and start over by buying a PS4.

Last edited by NetheRealm on 10/9/2008 10:11:08 PM

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