Sony Introduces Playstation 3, to launch in 2006
by Anand Lal Shimpi on May 16, 2005 9:12 PM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
Introducing the Playstation 3
Ken Kutaragi, President and Group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, lead the introduction to most of the Playstation 3 specifications. For starters, the console will not be out until Spring 2006 - contrary to recent rumors.
The console itself will be available in three colors - white, grey and black:
As we all know already, the Playstation 3 supports Blu-ray storage technology, marking one of the fundamental differences between it and Microsoft's Xbox 360, which will ship with a DVD drive.
Mr. Kutaragi also reaffirmed that the PS3 would feature backwards compatibility with both the original Playstation and PS2 games, potentially another major advantage over Microsoft's Xbox 360 from a developer and even a consumer standpoint. Microsoft has yet to confirm backwards compatibility for original Xbox games on their new 360 console, but we expect to find out for sure this week.
One of the most publicized features of the Playstation 3 is the new Cell processor. We've talked about Cell in great depth already, but here's how it applies to the Playstation 3:
Contrary to the rumors we've heard, it looks like the PS3 will implement the Cell processor that we all were introduced to a few months ago - featuring a single PPE and 8 SPEs. There is one caveat however; the Cell processor in the PS3 will only feature 7 working SPEs, one will remain disabled in order to improve yields.
The processor will also feature a 512KB L2 cache and each SPE will feature 256KB of local memory, all running at 3.2GHz built on a 90nm process.
The Cell in PS3 can decode up to 12 HD streams simultaneously at full frame rate.
Sony also showed off Cell displaying 1000 movie thumbnails at the same time:
With one fewer SPE than we originally expected, Cell continues to be the shining star of the PS3 and we aren't disappointed with its implementation in the console.
Facebook
Twitter
RSS
71 Comments
View All Comments
Pythias - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
when pc gaming is as competively priced as console gaming, then i'll think about it.michal1980 - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
I was worried about the ps3 when xbox 360 was announced. but wow, this box looks amazing.imho also looks more refined then the xbox. very slickly future cool, like it belongs with a high-tech tv. xbox now looks like an i-mac.
i'm glad there keeping blu-ray. plus built in hard drive. and something very smart.
SD cards for removable memory. FINALLY stanard memory cards as opposed to highly over priced units from sony.
jkostans - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
One thing I've learned is to be very skeptical until after a product has been released and reviewed. I seriously doubt the PS3 will be able to overcome the momentum the X360 will already have. The systems look like they will be equal in performance and features as a whole.Son of a N00b - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
by 2006, i think the PC will have its afir of hardware that can give the ps3 a bit of a spanking...its the same as if alienware(uggg even typing the name is like buying the overpriced crap) were to announce a new PC, say extreme somthing or other, and then say, and its gonna have a 3ghz athlon X2 dual core with 2mb cache, and either 4 nvidia or ati gpu's or vpu's in SLI, and then say, but its not coming out till 2006....same things but ehre are differences....we shall see....or course price is another major facotr...but there is arguements for both sides on that also....Shinei - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
I second the motion of buying a PS3 specifically for an FFVII remake. Holy Jesus. Of course, KillZone 2, Devil May Cry 4, and all my PSX/PS2 favorites is a pretty strong vote in favor of the PS3, as well, so... :)CrystalBay - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
That thing'll run hotter than !!!!.rqle - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
hope these 2 console lower the price of current and next generation GPU.JustAnAverageGuy - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
Note to Anand,Bring better camera next time.
Still. Looks impressive!
- JaAG
GhandiInstinct - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
YES SHABBY,And thats just the beginning of their software potential.
shabby - Monday, May 16, 2005 - link
Are those fight night shot for real? They look insane.