ps3 is a hybrid gpu

[retsam]

interesting (http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mmedia/display/20041228125957.html)

wow a cross between an nv4x and an nv5x gpu

hmm since sonys consoles dont use direct-x or open-gl, i wonder how there gonna implement there api into hardware. since the nv4x and nv5x's devepment is centered around dx and opgl.

[nutball]

hmm since sonys consoles dont use direct-x or open-gl, i wonder how there gonna implement there api into hardware. since the nv4x and nv5x's devepment is centered around dx and opgl.

You mean they haven't used DX/OGL in the past. Any reason why they wouldn't adopt OpenGL for PS3? If nothing else it means there's programmers out there who can already program the damned thing.

[shabby]

interesting (http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mmedia/display/20041228125957.html)

wow a cross between an nv4x and an nv5x gpu

hmm since sonys consoles dont use direct-x or open-gl, i wonder how there gonna implement there api into hardware. since the nv4x and nv5x's devepment is centered around dx and opgl.

Glide? :D

[Son Goku]

Umm, the article doesn't say they'll be using a GPU designed by nVidia which is a cross between nv40 and nv50, but rather a custom made GPU, fabricated at one of Sony's own fabs, which will make use of technologies found in both the nv40 and the yet to be released nv50.

There is a bit of a difference here. Various Intel processors incorporate technologies which were previously found in various generations of the DEC Alpha. AMD has done the same. And yet they aren't Alpha processors and still make use of the x86 instruction set...

A report over Japanese web-site PC Watch suggests that the PlayStation 3 graphics processing unit will use NVIDIA’s technologies found in the current NV40 generation of its own chips as well as numerous techniques developed for the next-generation part known under NV50 code-name. Still, despite of circuitries of the company’s desktop chips found in the GPU, according to NVIDIA’s chief Jen-Hsun Huang, the PlayStation 3 GPU has nothing to do with Microsoft Windows, Microsoft DirectX or OpenGL and will use Sony’s API for the console.

...Jen-Hsun Huang, NVIDIA’s CEO and President said the two companies had worked closely “over the past two years” on the “next-generation computer entertainment system”. He said the company had been designing its next-generation GeForce GPU in parallel. It is unclear which chip Mr. Huang referred.

...The custom GPU will be manufactured at Sony Group’s Nagasaki Fab2 as well as OTSS (joint fabrication facility of Toshiba and Sony). The Sony’s Nagasaki Fab2 facility is known to use 65nm SOI fabrication process jointly developed by IBM. The fab is expected to be able to produce 15 thousand of 300mm wafers a month.

Time will tell just how similar this new chip will be to each of nVidia's GPUs. But it isn't inconceivable that a GPU could be designed in parallel, with some degree of collaboration, which uses much of the same back-end technology, and yet allows another API to be exposed to the software. CPU manufacturers have done this to a limited degree for years, where the x86 CPU manufacturers have borrowed technologies from RISC based processors without incorporating the RISC based ISA in their own finished products. From the software's perspective, it really only cares about the interface it must interact with anyhow, as the rest is largely abstracted from the software...

[msxyz]

When I first heard about the Sony-Nvidia deal, I was quite surprised.

There were many rumors of Sony being late with the development of its next killer machine but this move, announced only 1 year before the supposed introduction of PS3, stinks like a desperation move.

Sony probably screwed with the the PS3 design making impratical decisions 2-3 years ago and they found themselves in dead waters. The PS3, as it's shaping out now, will be probably closer to the Xbox2 than to the machine Sony's design team had originally envisioned.

The only real winner here is Nvidia. They leverage their PC technology, get some quick cash from the license and stay at the window enjoying the battle between Sony and Microsoft (the same could be said for Ati)

Just my .02 $

[MUYA]

actually there were rumours of Sony+NVIDIA doing something together 2 years ago. That was one of my first posts as a new poster.

[Raptorman]

I read that nVIDIA will be designing the GPU for the PlayStation 3 since Microsoft is having ATi do the GPU for the Xbox 2 (bad blod with Microsoft and nVIDIA so ATi stepped in).
Oh well, time to save up $300 for the Xbox 2.
As for it being a hybrid, the Xbox GPU is, I guess, a hybrid also. Considering it is kind of an 'inbetween' step of graphics cores from nVIDIA.

[InqWoN1776]

Who ever said that the next xbox was going to cost $300??

[Kojiro]

Sony has always used proprietary progaming methods. That is why it is rumored that the Plastation 2 is very hard to program. However they might base their future API on open GL since nvidia would have many years experiance with open GL . But add features that are not availible. The reason why all the video game consoles will be using gpus designed by ATI or Nvidia, is because it will make the system much more powerfull graphicaly obviously, and reduce cost in the development stages. Note that IBM will design the CPU for nintendo's new system and the new Xbox. Sony has not released who will design their CPU.

Who knows what other companies are involved creating the nextgeneration game consoles.

[Mtndewordie]

Sony has always used proprietary progaming methods. That is why it is rumored that the Plastation 2 is very hard to program. However they might base their future API on open GL since nvidia would have many years experiance with open GL . But add features that are not availible. The reason why all the video game consoles will be using gpus designed by ATI or Nvidia, is because it will make the system much more powerfull graphicaly obviously, and reduce cost in the development stages. Note that IBM will design the CPU for nintendo's new system and the new Xbox. Sony has not released who will design their CPU.

Who knows what other companies are involved creating the nextgeneration game consoles.

Sony hasn't released who will disign their CPU? Did I miss something or isn't the Cell Proc Develeped by Sony, IBM and Toshiba. http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,118740,00.asp

IBM will have all of the all three companies under their belts. Intel and AMD* will be left out of the market unless you count the Phantom
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/11/17/nintendo_signs_ibm_for_nextgen/

*IBM codevelope the A64 with AMD, after the rumored heat and power problems. Next coming years IBM will be a company to watch.

Sorry the hyperlink doesn't seem to be working so no Clicky for you