possibly new hardware based on PS3?

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:50 pm

I saw articles back mid last year referring to a 'Sony computing board' - but nothing recent - until now -

http://www.fareastgizmos.com/media_devi ... s_year.php

I wonder how 'hackable / open' this will be........

J.

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Fri Aug 15, 2008 9:55 pm

I guess this needs to be moved to the 'other development' forum..... but just came across this after more searching -

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/produ ... -100.shtml

it's listed as having 2gigs of ram :)

androvsky · Post by **androvsky** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:04 am

wombatintexas wrote:I guess this needs to be moved to the 'other development' forum..... but just came across this after more searching -

http://www.terrasoftsolutions.com/produ ... -100.shtml

it's listed as having 2gigs of ram :)

This could have some interesting implications for RSX access in the PS3's linux. Yes, I know it'll have a different hypervisor, but there could be enough similarities to be useful. Then there'll be a binary driver from nvidia floating around...

Thanks for posting it, even if it ends up having no impact on PS3 development, it should make for a fantastic Digital Cinema video server; it's almost exactly what I've been looking for.

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 4:57 am

Agreed - just hope the price isn't too high :)

from what I was reading - it has complete access to the RSX......

cheriff · Post by **cheriff** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:18 am

I heard somewhere word on the street is it will be "priced under $10k". Now whether thats $1 or a couple hundred/grand under 10k is anyone's guess :)

kengreen · Post by **kengreen** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:41 am

It probably won't have a hypervisor since it isn't a game machine. But the BIOS and hardware details may be very helpful for PS3 linux development.

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:41 am

I came across these sites a few days ago -

For 10k you can get a PCI based Cell based solution -

http://www.fixstars.com/en/products/gigaaccel180/

this company also sells a 1u solution.... - Dual Cell based... but no mention of the video....

http://www.fixstars.com/en/products/dcbs2.html

As well as some kinda PS3 SDK...... 75,000 yen.... around $700.00 US.....

std. bs - I'm not affiliated in any way with these companies......

75,000

androvsky · Post by **androvsky** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:13 am

Ah, looks like there's no video connection, shoulda guessed since it's a rackmount. I really wish someone would make a Cell-based workstation someday... :(

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:00 am

well... it does have a PCI slot....

2 PCIe x16 mechanical, x8 electrical full-size cards
25W maximum; consult factory for higher power cards

25w max may be a problem.... but power supplies are cheap :)

cheriff · Post by **cheriff** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 8:59 am

androvsky wrote:Ah, looks like there's no video connection, shoulda guessed since it's a rackmount. I really wish someone would make a Cell-based workstation someday... :(

From the 'Brochure':

The unit also accepts an optional BKCU-VD1 video display board with a DVI-I output, useful for outputting calculation results.

Sure it'll cost bit extra, but it's there. You've already got RSX in there, all you really need a PCI card for (if you really didnt want the VD1) you could easily get away with a cheap low-powered 2d card and just blit RSX output to it.

But being a rackmount, it's probably kinda loud and not the sort of thing you might want on your desk anyway :)

wombatintexas · Post by **wombatintexas** » Sat Aug 16, 2008 9:34 am

naaa I don't want 1 on my desk - I want a whole cluster :)

well maybe not on my desk.... but somewhere in the same house would be nice...

J.

androvsky · Post by **androvsky** » Sun Aug 17, 2008 2:55 am

cheriff wrote:
androvsky wrote:Ah, looks like there's no video connection, shoulda guessed since it's a rackmount. I really wish someone would make a Cell-based workstation someday... :(
From the 'Brochure':
The unit also accepts an optional BKCU-VD1 video display board with a DVI-I output, useful for outputting calculation results.
Sure it'll cost bit extra, but it's there. You've already got RSX in there, all you really need a PCI card for (if you really didnt want the VD1) you could easily get away with a cheap low-powered 2d card and just blit RSX output to it.

But being a rackmount, it's probably kinda loud and not the sort of thing you might want on your desk anyway :)

Thanks for the info, I guess I didn't dig enough :) Still that's going to be an extra step that'll make streaming video a little more complicated; might still be worth it though. Besides, it can't be too much louder than all the other rackmount junk I've got by my desk already. :/

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possibly new hardware based on PS3?

possibly new hardware based on PS3?

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