PS3 to get smaller Cell and/or RSX chips in August?


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Nikko Citigroup upgraded its rating on Sony this morning in anticipation of it breaking even on PS3 costs earlier than expected. At the moment, Sony sells the PS3 at a loss. The respected group of analysts is now earmarking August as the milestone month. Sony's CFO recently suggested that the move would occur in the second half of the year -- a date analysts then pegged at November. No details behind the new upbeat expectations were provided by Nikko CG. However, it's safe to assume that the PS3's break-even event will be realized by a switch to a sub-65nm cell processor, sub-90nm RSX graphics chip, or both, since the smaller chips are less-costly to manufacturer.

P.S. It's worth noting that Sony has consistently stated that the PS3 will only break-even when both the Cell and RSX chips have shrunk.

Update: Reader Yaddam205 just reminded us about the "Slim PS3" redesign rumored for release in Autumn. No guarantees but smaller, less power-hungry, and cooler running chips would certainly be at the foundation of such a rig.

[source]

Well, heat has never been an issue with the PS3... but this does point in the direction of a smaller formfactor PS3 (which would be nice :yes: )

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Wouldn't making the chips smaller decrease it's abilities?

Not at all. Making the chips smaller means using a new fabrication process, they make the same chip take up less space. Thus less materials needed to make each chip. This also results in less electricity required to power the chip and also less heat produced.

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Wouldn't making the chips smaller decrease it's abilities?

No, or, not this smaller chip anyway. They're shrunk all the while making sure it doesn't lose any of its functionality.

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The 40GB Playstation 3 already contains a smaller 65nm Cell chip compared to the 90nm in the 20, 60 and 80GB models.

Thus it produces less heat and has smaller fans making it more reliable.

I hope its the 45nm Cell chip with a 65nm RSX chip. I would buy it if that were the case.

Also, Sony really needs to increase the Blu-ray drive speed in future models. Hard drive game installs are taking up too much space too quickly.

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