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Sony's 2012 PlayStation torn down, shows its evolved roots (update: another teardown)
We've looked intensely at the outside of the redesigned PlayStation 3 ever since it was unveiled in Tokyo last month. Getting a look inside has proven unusually tougher, but French YouTube member K0st3yr has volunteered to do what few gamers dare and tear down Sony's updated console. As we've quickly learned, Sony hasn't chosen to radically rework the insides like Microsoft did with the slim Xbox 360. The Cell processor and its RSX graphics companion are still separate parts, and a similar power supply capacity suggests that neither of the main chips has been built on a more efficient manufacturing process. Instead, it's everything else that has been given the shuffle: a smaller Blu-ray drive and more clever overall construction appear to be the tickets to the 20 percent volume reduction compared to the last model. While the revealed internals might be disappointments to those who were hoping the PS3's possible sendoff would involve more of a bang than a whimper, they do hint that Sony might have breathing room if it wants to advance the design any further. Just have some popcorn and a grasp of French on hand if you'd like to have a peek at the three-part video dissection found after the break. Update: Not to be outdone, iFixit has conducted its own teardown. There aren't any shockers in the mix beyond improved repairability, but you'll find many of the components given their exact names as well as more explanations of what's been changed to shrink the PS3 a second time.
Sony buying back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it's official
It's official. Sony and Toshiba just issued a press release saying that the two companies have signed a binding memorandum of understanding to transfer Tosh's fabrication facilities, operated by Nagasaki Semiconductor Manufacturing, back to Sony. A deal that is rumored to cost Sony some 50 billion yen (about $835 million) -- a bargain considering that Sony sold the facilities that manufacture the Cell Broadband Engine, RSX graphics engine, and other SoCs to Toshiba for 90 billion Yen back in 2008. Unfortunately, Sony's being coy about its plans for the new facilities. The two hope to complete the transfer sometime in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.
Newest PS3 SKU has updated, cheaper RSX innards
Japanese tech site PocketNews recently -- for reasons unbeknownst to us -- cracked open the smooth, colorless shell of the new CECH-2100A model of the PlayStation. What did they find inside? Candy. So much candy. They also found a smaller, more energy-efficient RSX graphics chip, which allows Sony to cut costs on the console's heat sink, power supply and cooling unit. It also lets the manufacturer cut down on the number of graphics chips contained within the console, leaving more room for the aforementioned candy. While these technological improvements will likely help Sony cut down on the manufacturing price of each console, we wouldn't expect that savings to translate into a price cut for the console. Mostly because Sony's still working to recover from a few quarters of heavy, heavy losses, but also because the PS3 just got a price cut. Stop being so greedy. [Via Engadget]
Sony PS3 upgraded with cooler 40-nm RSX graphics chip, profits await (updated)
It's a milestone folks: the PS3 hardware is finally ready to generate a profit. The loss-leading console once estimated to cost Sony more than $800 per (losing between $241 and $307 per console sold back in 2006) has likely turned a corner thanks to a reduction in manufacturing costs. While Sony isn't saying anything on the matter, PocketNews confirms that the latest PS3 SKU -- CECH-2100A spotted in the FCC back in February -- uses an improved RSX graphics chip based on smaller 40-nm processes similar to the PS3 Slim's new 45-nm Cell processor. The result is a 15 percent decrease in console power consumption when compared to the 120GB CECH-2000A PS3 Slim sporting a 65-nm RSX. The cooler running chip allows for a stealthier heat sink and power supply in addition to a smaller cooling unit. Those changes combined with fewer adjoining chips around the shrunken RSX should make the console cheaper to build which is good news to Sony's sagging bottom line. Update: PocketNews has confirmed with Sony that the RSX graphics chip is built using 40-nm processes (not 45-nm). Post updated to reflect the change.
PS3 Slim is cheaper, yes, and new Cell processor makes it faster, maybe
If you've been on the fence with that new console purchase then maybe this bit of information will push you over. Not only is the $299 PS3 Slim a skinnier version than its fat bro, it also features a new upgraded Cell processor (jointly developed by IBM, Toshiba, and Sony), according to an IBM spokesman, that uses smaller, more efficient, and less costly 45-nm processes first hinted at back in February of 2008. IBM doesn't specify the clock speed. The 45-nm Cell is 34 percent smaller and requires 40% less power than the original 65-nm processor according to earlier accounts. Any changes to the graphics in the PS3 Slim are still unknown -- the GPU is simply listed as the NVIDIA RSX like the ol' chubster before it. Nevertheless, the IDG New Service says the PS3 Slim "adds hardware enhancements that make it speedier."What's odd is that Sony didn't make any claims of the PS3 slim being faster at launch and the "boost" in processing speed in the IDG article quoting IBM doesn't seem to come from the IBM spokesman. As such, we're not sure if this is just an improvement in performance-per-watt or something the gamer will actually notice during play. We're still working on the review but rest assured, that's one question we're determined to answer.
80GB Core model draws less energy than 40GB
Looks like the 80GB Core PS3 may be more energy efficient than ever. A user at the Slickdeals forum connected his brand new 80GB Core system to a Kill-a-watt and discovered a slight energy savings. For example, the 40GB model used 155.2 watts when playing MGS4 -- the 80GB model used only 130 watts. The 40GB used 125.8 watts when idle on the XMB, while the 80GB used 111.9 watts. The popular theory is that Sony has secretly switched to new 65nm RSX chips: these are cheaper to manufacture, and are considered more reliable. Sony has not yet responded to these claims, but we wouldn't be surprised if each new SKU introduces new savings for the costly PS3 manufacturing process.[Via Joystiq]
New 80GB PS3 may be sporting 65nm RSX to match 65nm Cell
We don't know for sure if Sony downsized the PlayStation 3's RSX graphics chip to 65nm, matching the already 65nm Cell processor, but we might have some anecdotal evidence from an external source. A forum poster at slickdeals used a Kill-a-watt device to check the power consumption of the 40GB and 80GB models during idle phase, while spinning a DVD and with Metal Gear Solid 4 in the drive, and found a 12-20 watt difference favoring the new 80GB. It's not enough to say Sony has finally upgraded its RSX graphics chip, but it is interesting to ponder. Now, can someone end this speculation by voiding their 80GB's warranty and snapping a photo of the guts?[Via Engadget]
New 80GB PS3 provides minimal power savings, might have 65nm RSX GPU
Last we heard, it was still up in the air somewhat as to whether upcoming PlayStation 3 consoles would house the elusive 65-nanometer RSX graphics processor. According to a curious buyer of Sony's newest 80GB unit, there is a smidgen of data that hints at a 65nm chip actually being under the hood. By using the oh-so-scientific Kill-A-Watt, he discovered that his older 40GB PS3 sucked down 125.8-watts when idle, while the fresh 80GB edition ate up just 111.9-watts. The findings were similar when looking at power draw during DVD playback and while spinning Metal Gear Solid 4. Unfortunately, this mighty fine fellow is planning to return the new unit after being disappointed by the minimal energy savings, so he's not apt to rip the thing open and prove once and for all what kind of GPU is in there. Meanwhile, we heartily suggest that someone do just that and put this question to bed.[Thanks, Khattab]
RSX shrinks to 65nm this Fall
Sony's Kaz Hirai confirmed to reporters that 65nm Cell processors have been used in PS3s since the "last holiday season." Launch PS3 systems used a more expensive, and more energy-hungry 90nm process. The graphics chip for the PS3, known as RSX, will also be getting an upgrade this Fall. The move to a 65nm process will once again lower manufactuering costs for the Japanese electronics giant, and will also make the system much more energy efficient.Sony is focused on restore profitability to its games division, especially after it revealed the significant $3 billion loss it has incurred on the PS3 so far. Investors will undoubtedly cheer at this news.[Via Joystiq]
PS3 graphics chip going 65nm this Fall
In addition to talking movie downloads, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO Kaz Hirai confirmed at a business briefing yesterday (via Next-Gen) that the PlayStation 3 consoles produced after last holiday season all have the 65nm Cell processor (down from 90nm at launch). In addition, Sony will be slimming down the RSX graphics chips to 65nm this Fall. The GPU shrinkage will make the PS3s cheaper to produce, use less energy and not heat up as much. That doesn't necessarily mean a price drop is imminent, but it does give the company some more breathing room to make up that $3.32 billion.
Analysts: PlayStation 3 profitable by August, smaller chips likely
Sony is gunning for PS3 profitability this fiscal year – which, coincidentally, began this month – and it's hoping to get there by reducing the cost of key components, of course. The PS3's Cell CPU has already been shrunk from a big ol' 90nm to a relatively svelte 65nm, and there's an additional 45nm die-shrink in the works, which should be making its way to the PS3 "soon." A smaller Blu-ray laser could further erode the console's high cost. Notably absent from any speculation on cost reduction thus far: the system's 90nm RSX GPU.Reputed Japanese financial services firm Nikko Citigroup upgraded its rating on Sony this morning, pointing out that the PS3 may cross over the profitability hurdle as early as this August. While Nikko CG didn't attribute this to a specific cost reduction, it's a safe assumption that a 45nm Cell CPU and a sub-90nm RSX GPU would be the key ingredients to a deliciously profitable PlayStation 3. Next step: that rumored PS3 slim. Start holding your breath ... now![Via Engadget]
Sony stocks upgraded in anticipation of smaller chips
Nikko Citigroup upgraded its rating on Sony's stock this morning, predicting it will break even on PS3 costs much earlier than expected. With a Blu-ray drive, Cell chip and RSX graphics technology, the PS3 is an incredibly expensive system to manufacture: one that Sony currently sells at a loss to customers.Analysts are now predicting August will be when the smaller chips will be used in the PS3. There are no details as to why August has been chosen as the date, but switching over to a smaller Cell processor and RSX graphics chip will undoubtedly lower costs for the Japanese electronics giant.[Via Engadget]
Toshiba moves to back the PS3 and the Cell
No, we're not kicking Toshiba while they're down. In fact, it's pretty much the opposite. When you read up on Toshiba's purchasing of some Cell manufacturing plants, you might start to imagine Sony and Toshiba have been in talks for quite some time. See, right after Toshiba announced its plans to drop HD DVD, they turned around and finalized a major business deal with Sony -- buying microchip processing facilities in western Japan for the advantageous price of $835 million USD.Basically, starting in April, Toshiba is going to assist Sony in producing Cell and RSX chips. Take note that in days past, Toshiba didn't really sing praise to either of these technologies and wouldn't put them in their own products. Now they sing a different tune. Sony and Toshiba were in talks since last October about these facilities but couldn't agree on a price -- the fall of HD DVD may have led both to find a resolution and we're glad to have Toshiba on board.
40GB PS3s have 65nm Cell chips, 90nm GPUs
After conflicting reports regarding the chipset being used for the new 40GB PlayStation 3 model, Sony's Kaz Hirai has explained to Japanese publication Impress that the new model will indeed use 65nm Cell processor chips, which will greatly reduce the power consumption of the console, while currently sticking with the 90nm RSX graphics chip.Sony had denied initial reports of 65nm chips being used in 40GB version. Also mentioned in the interview is an indication that Sony is open, per se, to the possibility of bringing back the 20GB or 60GB models. "Depending on how the market reacts, it's possible for Sony to produce them again," he said. That would probably take people with pitchforks storming the Sony Castle demanding Metal Gear Solid 3 be fully compatible; we don't see it happening.[Via Engadget]
Sony agrees to sell PS3 chip lines to Toshiba
Sony has officially announced a deal where they will sell Cell production facilities to Toshiba. The Cell chip, which was developed in part by IBM and Toshiba, is regarded as the main reason why PS3 is so powerful. Production facilities for the chip will be sold to Toshiba in a deal that's worth an estimated 130 billion yen ($1.1 billion US).Due to the sluggish sales of the console, Sony will need to reduce losses from the games division to something more acceptable. Osamu Hirose, analyst at Tokai Tokyo Research Center, notes that this is a good step in the right direction for the beleaguered electronics company. "In this context, the spin-off of the chip business, which requires continued and heavy investment, is positive for Sony," he said.Sony will also sell RSX (the graphics chip of the PS3) manufacture to Toshiba. Sony stock rose 0.6 percent after the announcement.
Sony targets a break-even goal for year's end
A few days ago we posed the question how much Sony was actually losing on each console, or, how much each PS3 cost Sony to manufacture. Apparently, it's approximately US $200. That's a pretty harsh blow, considering, right? Not so! Sony executive VP Nobuyuki Oneda commented on such things, saying that Sony aims to break even by the end of this fiscal year (end of March '08). Is this so unbelievable? We don't think so -- there are so many heavy-hitting titles coming out before then, our fingers can't count that high.But wait, you say, selling games won't help Sony break even! Lowering manufacturing costs would. Yes, you are right and Oneda said the negative margin will be removed when steps have been taken to lower the cost of the Cell, RSX chip, and Blu-ray optical components. All of the chips are working on getting moved from 90nm to 65nm, starting with the Cell then moving on to the RSX chip. Combine these cost reductions with our aforementioned game sales and what do you get? The possibility to break even. Best of luck in this endeavor, Sony!
MotorStorm dev talks SPU usage and 'cooperative rendering'
Scott Kirkland, the Technical Director behind MotorStorm, sat down with Beyond3D recently to talk about some of the more technical details of developing the intense off-road racer. They cover a pretty wide range of topics, from Evolution's contributions in developing the Havok 4.5 physics middleware, to culling unseen vertices in order to increase rendering performance. Here are a couple highlights:On SPU usage:"MotorStorm only uses between 15 and 20 percent of available SPU resource, so we're aiming to achieve a 5 fold increase in SPU performance, which should allow us to do some awesome stuff!"On using the SPUs and RSX for cooperative rendering:"The leap in performance provided by [the SPUs] gives us the bandwidth to significantly reduce RSX time spent processing vertices that don't contribute to the final scene. The favoured approach is to use SPUs to generate minimal scene/instance specific index and vertex buffers from compressed data."It is a fantastic read, and well worth checking out. It gets EXTREMELY technical at a couple points, so don't feel bad if your brain catches on fire. I set off the fire alarm twice.
PS3 rumored to get a downgrade?
Really, if it weren't for the rumor, there's no reason to read the Inquirer. They really need to... well... read the article and you'll see why it's a worthless read aside from the rumor. Anything reporting "news" and utilizing leet-speak really tends to speak wonders about professionalism and character. Anyway, onto the rumor. The NVIDIA RSX graphics chip was previously scheduled to do its thing at 550MHz/700MHz as core/memory but now a rumor has started that the capabilities have been slightly reduced to 500MHz/650MHz.So? Perhaps it's a bigger downgrade than it looks on paper (forgive the technology mumbo-jumbo illiterate) but that really changes nothing in respect to people's desire to snag Sony's new console. In addition, it's just a rumor (at least, the Inquirer fails to cite any sort of source... indicitive of rumor in PS3fanboy's book) and should be treated as such. Honestly, does this change anyone's mind about the PS3? Were you banking on that 550/700? Oh well, even if it's true, is it really that major of a difference?
Warhawk, MotorStorm, & other bootleg GDC PS3 videos
So, are you tired of bootleg stills from the upcoming PS3 titles featured at GDC? (Or bootleg videos from current-gen titles like God of War 2?) Well, it looks like you're in luck, as we've got a few fuzzy PS3 videos from Phil Harrison's speech, courtesy of the embargo-ignorin' folks at Multiplayer.it.What we have above is a clip from the developer demo of Warhawk for the PS3. A voiceover describes the "ambient warfare" to be used in the air-combat simulation game, as well as the innovative mix of "Cell-based software rendering with RSX-based hardware rendering" to produce the graphics. For all you coders out there, it was also interesting to note that the programs running on the Cell's SPUs were not written in low-level assembly (easing development, but possibly degrading performance).While we wait until E3, when a playable version of Warhawk was promised to be delivered, here are a few more PS3 videos from GDC that you might find interesting (with a few unfortunately quite incomplete): Streamed video of MotorStorm GDC footage, also with a voiceover. Streamed speeded-up video clips (no audio) of Warhawk, Getaway 3, Lair, the Havoc physics demo from Heavenly Sword, the bullet-ridden car model demo, and even that video concerning Rachet & Clank. Streamed (basically) audio-only video from Resistance: Fall of Man. [Thanks, Reaktorleak89, Fan, & Da'Cheez; via PS3 Fanboy & QJ.net]See also: MotorStorm, Resistance and more: pictures from Sony's GDC keynote God of War 2 GDC video leaked online Multiplayer.it's report on Phil Harrison's GDC keynote (in Italian)
