Linux using Cell Processors

[trilarian]

Found this (http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/power/library/pa-cell/) link that some of you may find interesting. Linux is already starting to take advantage of the new CELL processors. Won't be long before the PS3 can be converted into a mini supercomputer.

[XiaoKJ]

Actually, this is quite old news. And running linux on PS3 seems to be troublesome as of yet.

However, if linux is run on the PS3 without graphics and things other than the bare essentials, then the problems become insignificant (or so it seems to me, and I don't have a PS3)

[trilarian]

Yes it is old news, but until the PS3 there hasn't been a cheap set of hardware with the computing potential of the PS3(cheap being relative in that buying a desktop with the same equipment will be much more) to my knowledge. The only thing that bothers me right now is the game OS runs as a buffer between Linux(or any other os) and the BIOS of the hardware. So in the end, we are limited to what Sony will allow until a hack becomes available(which will most likely involve soldering chips inside the unit).

All in all, its a great piece of hardware with a crappy line of games. So if you are looking to purchase it for video game purposes, then hold off for awhile. I purchased mine with the intent of modifying it into a really nice laptop for a fraction of the price. Also, I have converted it into a media center that can stream video/music off of my old server to my TV(can also read burned disc with linux). Eventually when I have the money to throw around, I'd like to see how it scales up divx or some other media type to the claimed 1080p resolution. If I can't succeed, then it was a fun hobby to play with at the very least.

[XiaoKJ]

I meant that linux on cell is old news, and that linux can run on ps3 is also old news. However, you already have it running, and if your real intent is to gather people to talk about it, please at least say so in your first post. (then my posts will become off-topic and I'll remove them, if not a moderator can too)

Well, running linux on game consoles are a great idea, and I'll agree that we have more of such "quests" :)

[trilarian]

Meh... it was late when I typed it and maybe I didn't pass on the point. What I was trying to get at is that Linux on a PS3 is not just 'working', but is actually taking advantage of the CELL processor design. It is still not 100% bug free, but I see great potential in it. Remember the clusters of PS2's used to make a semi supercomputer(something like this (http://arrakis.ncsa.uiuc.edu/ps2/cluster.php)) ... was thinking along those lines, but with a higher expectation.

Anyway, was just ramblings of a delerious man... delete the whole post if you wish.

[XiaoKJ]

I didn't hear about the cluster of PS2, but I've read that Xbox as a company's server is actually alright.

Actually, I'm all for adopting another processor architecture. x86 is really too legacy to be the 21st century processor (halfway through reading asm tutorial right now). Cell looks promising to me.