Cell explored

[Vandenh]

The chief architect behind Cell, Peter Hofstee, has published an interesting (technical) article (http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-cbea.html) about Cell and the problems the chip design aims to solve.

To an application programmer, the Cell Broadband Engine looks like a nine-way coherent multiprocessor. The PPE is more adept at control-intensive tasks and quicker at task switching. The SPEs are more adept at compute-intensive tasks and slower at task switching. However, either processor is capable of both types of functions. This specialization has allowed increased efficiency in the implementation of both the PPE and the SPE (especially the SPE), and is a significant factor in the substantial performance improvement in applications which take advantage of the CBEA.
This page also includes links to everything Cell and especially the new Cell documentation that was published today.

[bapenguin]

Hmm...so from the sound of it you have to program to take advantage of each SPE as if they were a processor themselves. I thought the core processor was intellegent and could offload to the SPEs.

I wonder if Sony's compiler or software tools uses some sort of smart function to offload tasks to the SPE....if not...that's a hella lot of extra programming....I imagine that it'll be a long time before ALL 8 (or 7, since one is reduntant) SPEs are utilized in the PS3.

[bean19]

Is it true that they are developing Voodoo middleware? My understanding is that developers will need to sacrifice chickens to bring the 7 spirits into alignment in order to harvest the dark results of their black arts. To assist in this process, PS3 devkits come with their own Ken Kutaragi plush. . . Fo' dey voodoo, yah.

[koorb]

I will believe it when I see it.

[NoName]

I will believe it when I see it.

See what... the PS3 actually using all of its cells or the spirits coming into alignment after the chicken sacrifices?

My money's on the spirit voodoo thing... o.0

[alienchild]

*insert tech-babble here*

*sign off with a sarcastic statement about Core's future*

[Worldcrafter]

*Insert template post that mocks all other posts related to the topic*

[Tennistoad]

Ah Yeah, and by the way...Cell proccessors were stolen from alien technology, and they will become self aware in 3..2..1..

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Is it true that they are developing Voodoo middleware? My understanding is that developers will need to sacrifice chickens to bring the 7 spirits into alignment in order to harvest the dark results of their black arts. To assist in this process, PS3 devkits come with their own Ken Kutaragi plush. . . Fo' dey voodoo, yah.

That is as funny as helll...

Well, riddle me this:
If developing on the SPEs was relatively easy, why did developer Beck (Gundam for PS3) not have started tapping the power of the SPEs in their game even into July 21, 05? They had a pretty trailer up. They had a slow as hell, but functioning demo up. The SPEs, they were on vacation and weren't being tapped yet. The developer had used all of his own tools...not any of the 'powerful' PS3 middleware to create the game so far.
http://ps3.ign.com/articles/635/635525p1.html

Maybe the PS3 isn't the easiest system to develop games on. There was a posting about Tecmo saying something to this effect also. I really haven't heard anything negative about the 360's dev tools...except that everyone was late in getting their betas.

[Dirty Harry]

Welcome to the world of programing, where nothing is generally free. Atleast you dont have to program in assembly. Anyways, i think new technology that is diffrent and harder to use can only output good things. Man was used to walking, but when the car was made he learnt to use it and now we have nascar (thank the lord :rolleyes:).

All i know is that the ps3 is considerably easier to program for than the ps2 and i think thats all that matters. Mainly because the difficulty of the ps2 did not stop games from being made infact some of the best games of the year were on ps2. So remain vigilante ps3, you lone knight in the wind.

[Twigz'N'Berries]

Welcome to the world of programing, where nothing is generally free. Atleast you dont have to program in assembly. Anyways, i think new technology that is diffrent and harder to use can only output good things. Man was used to walking, but when the car was made he learnt to use it and now we have nascar (thank the lord :rolleyes:).

All i know is that the ps3 is considerably easier to program for than the ps2 and i think thats all that matters. Mainly because the difficulty of the ps2 did not stop games from being made infact some of the best games of the year were on ps2. So remain vigilante ps3, you lone knight in the wind.

True. I do hope that it doesn't cost too much more to make those games. Nor do I want a bunch of games that pander to the lowest common denominator, like in this generation.

[roboflavinoid]

True. I do hope that it doesn't cost too much more to make those games. Nor do I want a bunch of games that pander to the lowest common denominator, like in this generation.

I think there will be plenty of those games, sadly. But with the technology diverging even more this next generation, those that go through the extra legwork to code to the unique hardware will reap dramatic benefits. Our own engine programmer is excited about the PS3, he seems to think that it isn't as difficult as is often claimed on forums, and the rewards for giving it the attention it deserves are huge. He worked wonders on the PS2, so I am inclined to trust.

Then again, he speaks in 1's and 0's, so I'm also just guessing.

[Zeal]

The way I understand it, the SPEs are basically 'virtual processors', if you will. The developer can individually program each to operate independently. While this would allow for extreme versatility, the extra programming should be a bitch.

Unless they can develop some good middleware.