Cell processor coming to IBM mainframe computers

Cell processor coming to IBM mainframe computers

IBM developed the Cell processor in collaboration with Sony and Toshiba. The processor is currently being used in the next generation gaming console system Sony Playstation 3.

IBM has now announced that they are now planning to bring this new generation processor to their IBM mainframe computers.

With this, their mainframe computing products would get the power of this chip which is claimed to be much faster than the regular processors which are available in the market.

Cell is often touted by its developers as a “supercomputer on a chip” because of its design. It comes loaded with one central processing unit helped by eight additional processors working on specific tasks.

Cell powered PS3 is already helping the Stanford’s Folding@home project where it has been quite successful at beating regular PCs with its awesome computing power. Market analysts claim that adding the Cell processor to mainframes would could make the mainframe machines into hubs for online gaming and simulations. This would help IBM cater to a larger customer base.