DailyTech.com - IBM Using the Cell in Mainframe Computers
DailyTech - Wii Production Boost
"We will do our best to offer the machine for those who are waiting," said Satoru-san.
PCN - Intel lowers Quad Core Power Consumption (PDF Download)
http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Lowers+Quadcore+Power+Consumption/article7086.htm
R600 Doomed?
We've probably already all seen this but this needs to be taken into consideration once again when looking at AMD as a whole. For months people have stated that the R600 and Barcelona will save AMD from being parted out like a Porsche in Brooklyn. Now it seems that only K10 remains. Keep in mind though, that the 2900 series scores we're against a factory overclocked 8800 GTX. Things could change.
News so sad I didn't even want to say anything about it... ah well. Ordered a GTX anyways.
AMD's Debt Mounting Fast
This be DaNews. Check yo' self before you wreak yo' self...
Ninja of the East
In an application the Cell Broadband Engine quite different from the normal gaming that we've heard said processor being hailed as the holy grail for, IBM, colloquially known as Big Blue, is pushing the Cell as the center for mainframes. This might just work well, since the Cell BE is seemingly designed for simulation based apps, stuff that requires heavy number crunching power. Might Barcelona and Penryn have a decent third competitor? Time will tell...The Cell Broadband Engine is a wonderchip that is constantly showing new forms of utility and versatility. In the processor’s latest exploits, IBM has disclosed a cross-company project to integrate the Cell/B.E. with the IBM mainframe for the purpose of creating "virtual worlds," but in a different way than PlayStation 3.
"As online environments increasingly incorporate aspects of virtual reality -- including 3D graphics and lifelike, real-time interaction among many simultaneous users -- companies of all types will need a computing platform that can handle a broad spectrum of demanding performance and security requirements," said Jim Stallings, general manager, IBM System z. "To serve this market, the Cell/B.E. processor is the perfect complement to the mainframe, the only server designed to handle millions of simultaneous users."
At its heart, the project intends to create an environment that can seamlessly run demanding simulations -- such as massive online virtual reality environments; 3D applications for mapping, enterprise resource planning and customer relationship management; 3D virtual stores and meeting rooms; collaboration environments; and new types of data repositories. It plans to achieve this goal by parceling the workload between the mainframe and the Cell/B.E.
DailyTech - Wii Production Boost
In the "wootz" article of the day, Nintendo president Satoru Iwata "admitted that the ongoing shortage of Nintendo's Wii game console is 'abnormal,' but believes the company will be able to fix the shortage soon."To date, Nintendo has shipped 5.84 million units worldwide, which is slightly below the company's goal of 6 million. Microsoft has shipped more than 10 million Xbox 360 game consoles worldwide, with Sony only shipping 1.84 million.
Some analysts predict that the Wii shortage will last until 2009, but Nintendo certainly hopes that it can catch up to market demand before then.
In other news, Nintendo's earnings grew 77 percent in the past fiscal year, due to extremely high sales numbers with the Wii and DS. The company saw its sales almost double due to the Wii's ease of use and enjoyable games.
"We will do our best to offer the machine for those who are waiting," said Satoru-san.
PCN - Intel lowers Quad Core Power Consumption (PDF Download)
http://www.dailytech.com/Intel+Lowers+Quadcore+Power+Consumption/article7086.htm
And the empire continues to strike back.Intel explains that on the 16th of July the company will be able to supply a new G0 stepping of this core which allows to cut the TDP down to 95W. This allows the use of the new CPUs in environments qualified for the "2005 Mainstream FMB" (up to 95W) as opposed to the "2005 Performance FMB" (up to 130W).
Apart from the fact that the new CPUs will feature different CPUIDs and S-spec codes, Intel doesn't expect any impact on customers, as the featureset remains unchanged and electrical, mechanical and thermal specifications remain within current specifications. A BIOS update will be required to recognize the new CPU.
R600 Doomed?
We've probably already all seen this but this needs to be taken into consideration once again when looking at AMD as a whole. For months people have stated that the R600 and Barcelona will save AMD from being parted out like a Porsche in Brooklyn. Now it seems that only K10 remains. Keep in mind though, that the 2900 series scores we're against a factory overclocked 8800 GTX. Things could change.
News so sad I didn't even want to say anything about it... ah well. Ordered a GTX anyways.
AMD's Debt Mounting Fast
With further price cuts on the way when AMD debuts Barcelona, and Intel grabbing back market share in a large way, we all wonder, exactly how much more can they take?Friday, AMD announced that it will offer Convertible Senior Notes to investors in an attempt to raise roughly $2.2 billion. However, unlike common stock purchases, Convertible Senior Notes put AMD further into debt -- in this case, another $2.2 billion USD. Using Convertible Senior Notes, investors profit since the notes can be converted to common stock once AMD is performing well.
With excellent market performance from rival Intel, AMD posted a painful first quarter loss of $611 million USD this year. AMD is now left with roughly $1.1 billion in the bank; a figure that has analysts worried.
Nicholas Aberle, Senior Vice President of Equity Research, Caris Company, states, "AMD is still spending a good clip. Without borrowing the company could run out of cash by late Q3, early Q4." Arberle adds, "[AMD] needed to raise capital just to keep the doors open."
This be DaNews. Check yo' self before you wreak yo' self...
Ninja of the East