PS3's RSX Shrinks Next Month, Cell Later

Just recently announced by Sony, a few major components will be receiving dye shrinkage within the next few months. The components receiving the shrink is the CELL and RSX. The heart and brain of the PlayStation 3.

What is dye shrinkage though? Its the process when the general core or cores of a processor and/or all the transistors are made smaller. Doing this reduces heat and lowers power consumption. Production costs are also lowered greatly as more processors can be made out of each wafer.

[MikeGdaGod]

http://www.colorwarepc.com/...

CAN'T WAIT

[moses]

The paint job is a bit pricey :\.

[Fighter]

pretty neat. I want the Ferrari Red.

I dare someone to get the pink one.

[Lord Anubis]

the 45nm chips will be interesting, perhaps the fanless model Japan HQ was talking about will become a reality.

[ruibing]

I think the only things shrinking the die at this point will do is reduce the production cost of each unit. For there to be a fanless PS3, the entire unit will have to be made of aluminum and have heat pipes running through it (same as those fanless PC case), it will probably cost more to manufacturer and be too heavy to be worth it. It really won't affect consumers much except smaller fan, lighter unit, and a bit more quiet at night when you're running [email protected]

@Lord Anubis
It's hard for me to say but I just can't imagine a fanless CPU that runs at 3.2 GHz. The PS2 was at around 300 MHz for the CPU and 150 MHz for the GPU, which are the processing speed of fanless devices such as the PSP. I think it won't happen until they are able to break the 22nm barrier and introduce some more advanced fabrication technology like Intel's high dielectric K.

[Lord Anubis]

I beg to differ for 45nm takes practically no energy to make the functions of its bigger brother. It's a similar reason why PS2 slim exists..

at 45 it becomes viable to unite both the rsx and cell just in the same way EE and GS were united to form the PS2 Slim.

[MK_Red]

It's funny how every time I decide to finally buy myself a PS3 something new is introduced. When I wanted to get the old 60Gb, suddenly 80Gbs was announced. I decided to give it time and later when finally got my money, 40Gb was introduced. I tought about getting the 40Gb before December and now, it says 65nm ones are coming out and later, 45nm Cells.

[Danja]

and I say you should definetly get a 60GB before there all gone...this is the best console of them all..!!!

[MK_Red]

By keeping my PS2, which PS3 would be best for me? Without worrying about BC, I think 40Gb is the best choice. What do you think?

[xplosneer]

If you can get the 60GB, you can get rid of the PS2. If not, get the 80GB. You will feel bad afterward for not getting the best model, and those Memory Stick ports and 2 more USB ports really help more than they sound.

[Fighter]

I would recommend the 60GB because you can also upscale your PS2 games to 1080p and you won't have to buy PS2 games off the PSN once they are available unless they sell them at a good price. Just remember that the PS2 library is still growing and won't stop till 2009. That's my guess.

If you do wait for those smaller chips it will consume less power an Sony will probably have software emulation in the near future but emulation covers only 80% of the games or lower.

[MK_Red]

Thanks for your help and suggestions. While I'm pretty sure about keeping my PS2, the idea of upscale PS2 games to 1080p is pretty sweet. God, I was almost ready to get 40Gb now I must think about 60 and 80 versions a bit more :)

[Danja]

well as some of the others stated go with the 60Gb..I stll have my PS2 I use it now and then because honestly I think PS2 games were meant to be played at 480p...not all ps2 games looks so good upscaled..

but as someone said those extra 2 USB ports do come in handy...
but you can also get the 40GB if you really dont care about BC..it' a good deal..plus they might actually implemet that feature later down the road..after the 60GB/80GB are totally phased out..might be a while though..lol.

[chrno6]

You should def get the 60g as it has full bc. You also spare the trouble of switching consoles when u want to play ps2 games, not to mention that it leaves you more space.

[Prismo_Fillusion]

I'm in the same boat as you MK_Red, except that I have no PS2. When Sony keeps announcing new cool features for the PS3 and continual price-drops, it just makes me want to wait longer. And that's not really a bad thing for them, because eventually they'll get my money regardless.

My bigger problem is that I have a pretty new SD tv (I got a brand new 32" for $200 in August, and since I was definitely in bargain-hunter mode). I don't think it's worth getting a PS3 unless I have a 1080p tv on the horizon. *sigh* at 1000 bucks.

[MK_Red]

Thanks again for tips and help.

Prismo_Fillusion, agreed. The new and rather frequent additions (and price-drop) make me want to wait more and more.
As for HDTV, I think a cheaper 720p supporting one would be enough.

[Prismo_Fillusion]

720p is okay, but it seems like the way to get the most out of the machine is to buy a 1080p, even though they're generally around $400 more.

[OmegaKulu]

Personally I'll go for 60/80GB since those are made in Japan, just an extra layer of security I like to have =P
(+ the USB ports and HDD size too, if BC doesn't matter)

[waltercross]

I Suggest the 60 GB, but there discontinued now, I was lucky to get a 60 GB PS3, you should hurry if you want the 60 GB.

by the way, the 60 GB I Have is made in China not japan.

[dhammalama]

It's the most complete package. Just upgrade the hd if you need to.

[akaFullMetal]

cuts cost, and makes the ps3 cheaper, plus on the power bill, win win for all i see, ;)

[Hydrollex]

Disagree and agree ?

So bubble me guys comon you guys leme PWN 360 noobs here

[name]

Good thing Sony is finally finding ways to decrease cost for everyone. They cut the price of the PS3 by changing hardware, they cut development cost for PS3 development, and this will probably help them actually make a profit.

[remix]

i gurantee you all that sony will cut the price of the ps3 this febuary or march all the way down to 299.99 for the 40 gig.

and 399.99 for the 80 gig and they will bundle that with little big planet to deplete the 80gigs.
sony said the 40 gig is the future and you know the ps2 lifespan is running out so sony will also add BC to the 40 gigs this march.

they just need to get some ps3 software sales first.

so by spring expect the 40 gig to be BC at 299.99 and the 80 gig to be at 399.99. this will boost sales through the roof. remember people, you heard it from REMIX first.

[Gordii]

I seen that paint job i could send it in for 100 dollars and get mine painted up nicely :D :D

I can see why they want to make it with smaller chips because i know my ps3 gets hot so i had to buy a cooler for it. Because my room gets hot on its own. Also i could care less about the power it uses personally i think its sexy when it uses more power call me crazy but its hot. Just like the ps2 i liked the old ones better then the Mr slims :(

[bootsielon]

With 32nm cell and RSX, 200 GB HDD, and full PS2 BC. All for 199 (holiday 2009, that is)

[kr9091]

LMAO that was funny! But if that ever happened that would be friggin' sweet!!

[greenenvy]

doing the same thing with the falcon on the xbox360..........

next year, the processors will be hell'a small finally and the heat syncs locked in place....

can't wait to pick up my brand new, RROD free FALCON 2 baby!!!!!!!!!!

:-D

.....goodbye u pathetic low-grade cooling system ****** ...

FALCON FTW

[xplosneer]

Copy of PC's for the last 15 years?

[gamesR4fun]

Wont be long b4 the ps3 is the next psp.

[INehalemEXI]

I like that it leads to a more cost effective ps3. This type of thing could lead to more price cuts in the future.

Which is good just in case in the future if I were to spill a drink or something bad happen to my 60 gb sku. I wont have to spend so much to replace it. Knocks on wood.... knocks over drink ...doh! jk.

[Hydrollex]

I thought PS3 is going to get smaller ! Is that what this article talks about ? sounds like PS3 slim or smaller PS3

[INehalemEXI]

It says the rsx the ps3's graphics card and cell ps3's cpu will become smaller so it is possible that it will lead to a ps3 slim eventually but I believe it will remain in the same phat case for quite some time.

[Yipee Bog]

Just in a year of the console and major revisions such as these are being made. What will it be like in twenty years? A gaming system mapping the effects of black holes in space, oh wait been there done that. lol

[Ju]

Until recently I'd expect just a mediocre performance increase. But Rambus wants to get 1TB/sec out of their XDR by 2009 or so. Say 2006+10 = 2016, and you can expect - if the technology is about the same price level as current top tech - a PS4 with tremendous new power reserves. BTW: 1TB/sec == 1000GB/sec compared to 25GB/sec what we have right now (and PCs are around 15-20 peak). Puts some pressure on the CPU manufacturers. I want to see that bus saturated.
None the less, the shrink af the CELL from 90nm to 65nm (40GB) saved them 40Watts (now at around 120-140 or so), RSX @ 65 should drop it close to 100, and the 45nm parts definitively below 100W.

[Danja]

LOL....why do everyone think that there will be a revised PS3.."SLIM"..I think the point of the article is that Sony has found new ways to lower PS3 production cost...and save more energy while doing it....the only thing we canexpect is probably a price cut next year..!

Sony won't release any revised version of the PS3 for a couple years...!

[TheIneffableBob]

Die, not dye.

[test123123]

Yes I like that idea

[thepill88]

Come on, I like the weight of it... It feels so solid. Like the new Dual shock3 (Stationed in japan) feels very nice. I dont want an iPod sized PS3... I WILL BE FORCED TO TAKE IT TO WORK.... and video games is a no go in my career field...

[guerojose]

The article you linked to indicates that the Cell is already being manufactured at 65nm, with the RSX following soon. And it's generally expected that both will eventually move to a 45nm process, though that's certainly not soon. Your title is confusing/misleading. (P.S. I think you mean "die", not "dye".

[gamesblow]

This has no effect on me at all. I'll gladly buy another Sony product, cause they're quality machines. PSP and the Ps3 are two of the absolute best made electronics out on the market. I will no doubt be buying me another ps3 when these drop and by the way, I love that custom paint job shop deal. That's tops.

[Vip3r]

I thought all the 40GBs were 65nm?

[rofldings]

Only the RSX is 45nm, not Cell.

[Ju]

Nah, nothing is 45nm, yet. The CELL was shrunk to 65 from 90, the RSX is still 90nm. Next production run (revision) might see the RSX @ 65nm as well, and later in (or @ end of) 2008 both at 45.

[feejo]

Oh that is why I did my blog: Why wait for a PS3. At that speed, the PS3 will be the same price as Wii in 2009, that will be interesting.

[Exia]

I guess that's very good news for Sony and the consumer since Sony won't lost as much when they manufacture a PS3, and the consumer probably won't have to pay as much.