How to build a PS3 Cluster

http://www.ps3cluster.org/

by iamelgringo • 18 years ago

17 3 18 years ago

scott_s• 18 years ago

We use a PS3 cluster for Cell related research. It's absurdly cheap for a research machine. We use it for research in system software and programming techniques for Cell. But it has serious drawbacks if you want to use it to actually crunch your numbers for you:

- 256 MB RAM

- Only 6 SPEs are available. One is disabled for a higher yield on the chips, and one is reserved for the game OS

- Hypervisor. You don't actually have direct access to the hardware. If you did, what would prevent people from putting out unlicensed PS3 games that just ran on Linux? The hypervisor prevents you from accessing the videocard (and it's memory) and the onboard sensors and performance counters.

vizard• 18 years ago

Rather disappointed by the (lack of) progress of the Cell .. it has stood still while other architectures are marching on mercilessly.

wmf• 18 years ago

That's how consoles work; there's a new generation every 4-5 years.

Cell has evolved some in the form of PowerXCell.

How to build a PS3 Cluster

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