Sony Introduces Playstation 3, to launch in 2006
by Anand Lal Shimpi on May 16, 2005 9:12 PM EST- Posted in
- Trade Shows
Playstation 3's GPU - The NVIDIA RSX Reality Synthesizer
NVIDIA's contribution to the PS3 is their RSX GPU.
The RSX GPU offers dual screen output, with each output offering a resolution of up to 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080). The GPU runs at 550MHz and is connected to 256MB of local GDDR3 memory running at 700MHz.
The GPU itself can process 136 shader operations per cycle, compared to 53 shader ops per cycle of the current GeForce 6 GPU. In terms of shader performance, the RSX is clearly more powerful than even two GeForce 6 GPUs.
The RSX GPU features over 300 million transistors built on an eight layer 90nm process; note that the combination of the RSX GPU and the Cell CPU in PS3 is close to 600 million transistors.
NVIDIA also mentioned that the RSX offers performance stronger than two GeForce 6800 Ultra SLI GPUs and is based on their next-generation GF70 architecture.
The architecture itself is a bit different than what we've seen from previous NVIDIA GPUs:
The RSX GPU is connected to the Cell by a 35GB/s link (20GB/s write, 15GB/s read), that's much more bandwidth than any present day CPU-GPU link on the PC side.
The RSX can render pixels to any part of memory, giving it access to the full 512MB of memory of the PS3. We'd expect the technology used here to be similar to NVIDIA's TurboCache that we've seen on the desktop.
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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.