Ars Technica: Cell causing PS3 delay?

[superguy]

They also speculate on it missing 06 in US. Other than that, a fairly generic/uninteresting little article.


http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060308-6345.html

Other chips may be causing problems, however, specifically the much-hyped Cell. The custom, PPC-based processor is large (235mm2) and difficult to manufacture. In fact, the specification for the processor calls for one PPE core and eight SPE vector acceleration units, with one SPE disabled. This is thought to be a way of increasing yields on the Cell, since chips that have one broken SPE can still be used in production units. IBM has already had issues with chip production, starting with the iMac G5 debacle, and similar problems were blamed for the shortage of Xbox 360 consoles at launch. Could Sony be delaying the launch of the PS3 to avoid these issues?

 

[koldfuzion]

Read that earlier, they have no factual basis for the statement that cell may be causing any delay, it's pure speculation on there part. I think it's safer to assume what Sony and IBM claim about cell production is true--that is, that it is going smoothly and yields are good. Sony's spokesperson has said the delay is a result of issues regarding finalizing standards for Blu-Ray, in particular HDMI. I think it's safer to go with the source rather than to reach back to an earlier IBM debacle, when the news on the cell front thus far appears to be good.

 

[mesyn191]

Read that earlier, they have no factual basis for the statement that cell may be causing any delay, it's pure speculation on there part. I think it's safer to assume what Sony and IBM claim about cell production is true--that is, that it is going smoothly and yields are good. Sony's spokesperson has said the delay is a result of issues regarding finalizing standards for Blu-Ray, in particular HDMI. I think it's safer to go with the source rather than to reach back to an earlier IBM debacle, when the news on the cell front thus far appears to be good.

We have no details on Cell yields ATM, just Sony PR about how great and smooth everything is going but on the other hand we've got IBM with long history of botched yields and production problems...

Its speculation, but pretty decent speculation if you ask me.

 

[Serenity Painted Death]

They aren't going to miss holiday '06 in N.A.*

*assumes they aren't suicidal as a corporate entity, which is a pretty safe bet.

 

[dukmahsik]

there is no way sony will miss holiday 06

 

[Sethamin]

They aren't going to miss holiday '06 in N.A.*

*assumes they aren't suicidal as a corporate entity, which is a pretty safe bet.

The whole "Sony won't do obviously stupid action X because they're not stupid" argument is not actually a very good one, because it's not as if anyone is suggesting they'd do it by choice. The obvious implication is that they're forced to do it because of manufacturing problems or whatever other problem du jour is hindering their PS3 launch.

Nevertheless, I still agree with you. They will not miss holiday 06 in NA.

 

[aaaaa00]

They aren't going to miss holiday '06 in N.A.

Yeah. They'll ship it with wires hanging out the back and a box of cornflakes as the CPU if they have to. Ceding two Christmases to MS would be suicide.

 

[NANOTEC]

Yeah. They'll ship it with wires hanging out the back and a box of cornflakes as the CPU if they have to. Ceding two Christmases to MS would be suicide.

...and some duct tape.

 

[The_Standard]

We have no details on Cell yields ATM, just Sony PR about how great and smooth everything is going but on the other hand we've got IBM with long history of botched yields and production problems...

Its speculation, but pretty decent speculation if you ask me.

Sony hasn't said a thing about Cell yields. The "Sony PR" you are talking about came from IBM senior VP William Zeittler, not Sony.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14679

 

[dukmahsik]

the holdup is BR not cell, rsx, etc

 

[pipo]

Sony hasn't said a thing about Cell yields. The "Sony PR" you are talking about came from IBM senior VP William Zeittler, not Sony.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=14679

Exactly. Ars is most likely talking out of... You get the point.

 

[Guden Oden]

Whenever I see a topic with a name like this one, created by someone with a handle like "xbot" or such, I cringe.

If it misses christmas '06, it misses christmas '06. It'll be released when it's ready, and people will either buy it or they won't. No need to get so excited, people...

 

[liverkick]

Whenever I see a topic with a name like this one, created by someone with a handle like "xbot" or such, I cringe.

If it misses christmas '06, it misses christmas '06. It'll be released when it's ready, and people will either buy it or they won't. No need to get so excited, people...

I think at this point I'll be just as excited about the rumor mongering BS coming to a screeching halt when this thing finally launches as I'll be about the system and the games themselves.

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Do we know for sure that IBM are the only suppliers of Cell so far? Sony and Toshiba are supposed to be making their own.

 

[Jabjabs]

I think we know it is speculation with this...

Could Sony be delaying the launch of the PS3 to avoid these issues?

 

[Rodéric]

Thanks for the link but this subject have been discussed to death several times already, and as long as there's no PROOF or OFFICIAL statement from any involved firm, you're requested to stop spreading rumors and speculations.