Cell 65nm production started
- Thread starter Ragnarok
- Start date
How much money am I willing to bet that this article stems from having read this post here?
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showpost.php?p=919112&postcount=15
A lot.
http://www.beyond3d.com/forum/showpost.php?p=919112&postcount=15
A lot.
mckmas8808
Legend
But when will it go in the PS3?
whenever technology is ready
sooner the better, it is preferable for them to reduce loss margin
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mckmas8808
Legend
I'm asking when will the first PS3 see this 65nm CELL processor. March EU launch? Fall of 2007?
LOL, mckmas asked "when," not "if" Ant1.
No reason to freak out.
It'll probably go in as soon as yields are sufficient to warrant a new revision of the PS3. As time goes on, smaller process nodes will enable not only the sourcing of cheaper chips themselves, but of less expensive cooling, power supplies, casing, etc etc... initial 65nm will probably keep it simple though, and change the chip and voltage alone.
No reason to freak out.
It'll probably go in as soon as yields are sufficient to warrant a new revision of the PS3. As time goes on, smaller process nodes will enable not only the sourcing of cheaper chips themselves, but of less expensive cooling, power supplies, casing, etc etc... initial 65nm will probably keep it simple though, and change the chip and voltage alone.
Because it's not that easy? CPU's are ahead of GPU's generally in process tech. Intel is the leader and they are already making inroads at 45nm, where ATI and Nvidia are only at 80nm at best.
Anyways, this shows Sony is a good bit ahead of microsoft here, eh? Who actually fabs Cell?
GPU makers have access to smaller nodes when they become available to them; generally they lag the 'leaders' due to their reliance on OEM fabs. But there's nothing inherently different in the technologies, and I would expect RSX to get shrunk as soon as it's ready.
Cell is beign fabbed at 65nm via an SOI process at both East Fishkill and Sony's Nagasaki, so if that's what's ready now, that's why we see Cell first. RSX is on the bulk CMOS process, also fabbed by Sony, and will be moved to 65nm doubtless as soon as said process is also ready.
Different lines though, that's what needs to be kept in mind.
Cell is beign fabbed at 65nm via an SOI process at both East Fishkill and Sony's Nagasaki, so if that's what's ready now, that's why we see Cell first. RSX is on the bulk CMOS process, also fabbed by Sony, and will be moved to 65nm doubtless as soon as said process is also ready.
Different lines though, that's what needs to be kept in mind.
I believe there is some difference in the difficulty of GPU/CPU fabbing as well. I've picked that up from a few posts here.
GPU's are much bigger, if nothing else. Big CPU's tend to be a lot of cache relative, GPU's are mostly logic besides larger. Also, GPU's are generally designed in a less custom, more modular manner (not sure if this matter though),
GPU's are much bigger, if nothing else. Big CPU's tend to be a lot of cache relative, GPU's are mostly logic besides larger. Also, GPU's are generally designed in a less custom, more modular manner (not sure if this matter though),
The difficulties you speak to are real in a sense, but they don't stem innately from something being a 'GPU' vs a 'CPU.' Like you said, die size, and defect tolerence that are the main determiners. For the purposes of RSX and Cell though, seriously, as soon as the process is ready, RSX will be on it.
You don't just shrink die sizes without thought. You need to produce a whole new set of masks, which is cost dependant (GPUs sell less, therefore mask is a significant cost, so you don't make the thing as quick)! As Cell is intended to be used in everything from your fridge to your PS3, it is economical because the cost can be amortized over all devices.
Also, on a non-economical view, shrinking components does introduce electrical considerations...
Rangers I think you're a little confused. I'm talking about an entirely different 65nm process - bulk CMOS vs SOI. The SOI is ready (and we don't even know if it's Nagasaki or just Fishkill from these articles), and that's what Cell is to be fabbed on. The CMOS is seemingly not, and that's what RSX is to be fabbed on. It's not that one is a GPU and one a CPU;, we're talking about entire fabrication lines here with associated - and seperate - R&D... chip independent.
To note, the 65nm CMOS process is the one both PSP and PS2 components (should EE+GS enjoy another shrink) will be fabbed on as well.
overclocked
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