Why didn't apple use the IBM Cell CPU from the ps3?

craptakular

craptakular

craptakular

Soldato
Joined
7 Jan 2007
Posts
10,607
Location
Sussex, UK
Why didn't apple use the IBM Cell CPU from the ps3?

Instead of going intel why did they not keep PowerPC and use the ps3 cell cpu or one from the same family?
 
The Cell is a highly specialized CPU, whereas you really want the best general purpose CPU with good thermal and power saving properties for consumer computers and laptops - which is what Intel offered at the time (and still do).
 
PowerPC lost out to x86 because of scale of economies. Less users equals less money to spend on R&D equals a less competitive product equals less users...

Why would Cell be any different? Using standard x86 parts is far cheaper and it's easier to write software for.
 
Oxy said:
Why didn't apple use the IBM Cell CPU from the ps3?

Instead of going intel why did they not keep PowerPC and use the ps3 cell cpu or one from the same family?
Click to expand...

The fact that you asked the question means you would not understand the answer if you were given it :).
 
Oxy said:
Why didn't apple use the IBM Cell CPU from the ps3?

Instead of going intel why did they not keep PowerPC and use the ps3 cell cpu or one from the same family?
Click to expand...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cell_(microprocessor)

'The Cell architecture includes a memory coherence architecture that emphasizes efficiency/watt, prioritizes bandwidth over latency, and favours peak computational throughput over simplicity of program code. For these reasons, Cell is widely regarded as a challenging environment for software development.'

This killed Cell for PC use as Apple is wanting to increasing market share, so making it hard for programmers to code programs is just going to end painfully.
 
Last edited:
cell is poor to program for thats why, why do u think ps3 ports are rubbish, the reason apple uses intel is because it is easy to program for
 
It also had/has a high probability of being a dead end, the very reason they needed to consider a transition in the first place.

The transition to Intel has been a total win!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom