Sony And Nvidia Announce Joint GPU Development

MIG-31

Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. and NVIDIA Announce Joint GPU Development for SCEI's Next-Generation Computer Entertainment System.

TOKYO and SANTA CLARA, CA—DECEMBER 7, 2004—Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. (SCEI) and NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) today announced that the companies have been collaborating on bringing advanced graphics technology and computer entertainment technology to SCEI’s highly anticipated next-generation computer entertainment system. Both companies are jointly developing a custom graphics processing unit (GPU) incorporating NVIDIA’s next-generation GeForce™ and SCEI’s system solutions for next-generation computer entertainment systems featuring the Cell* processor.

This collaboration is made under a broad, multi-year, royalty-bearing agreement. The powerful custom GPU will be the graphics and image processing foundation for a broad range of applications from computer entertainment to broadband applications. The agreement will encompass future Sony digital consumer electronics products.

“In the future, the experience of computer entertainment systems and broadband-ready PCs will be fused together to generate and transfer multi-streams of rich content simultaneously. In this sense, we have found the best way to integrate the state-of-the-art technologies from NVIDIA and SCEI,” said Ken Kutaragi, executive deputy president and COO, Sony Corporation, and president and Group CEO, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. “Our collaboration includes not only the chip development but also a variety of graphics development tools and middleware, essential for efficient content creation.”

“We are thrilled to partner with Sony Computer Entertainment to build what will certainly be one of the most important computer entertainment and digital media platforms of the twenty-first century,” added Jen-Hsun Huang, president and CEO, NVIDIA. “Over the past two years NVIDIA has worked closely with Sony Computer Entertainment on their next-generation computer entertainment system. In parallel, we have been designing our next-generation GeForce GPU. The combination of the revolutionary Cell processor and NVIDIA’s graphics technologies will enable the creation of breathtaking imagery that will surprise and captivate consumers.”

The custom GPU will be manufactured at Sony Group’s Nagasaki Fab2 as well as OTSS (joint fabrication facility of Toshiba and Sony).
_______________
Source: Nvidia

__________________

The_Neon_Cowboy

I bet this is the root the reason nv48 and nv50 canceled

nv's counting on what they will learn to help them get an edge agaisnt ATI

__________________

nForcer

the edge they already have?

Probably to take video graphics into more quality based instead of shear speed.

Doesn't matter how much if it ya got, its what you can do with it!

BiGBrOwNPimpsta

i don't know why sony is turning to them, microsoft is making the better choice i think even though the 6800 is quite impressive.

better not make a crappy gf2/gf3 hybrid board

__________________
Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Music | Logitech Z-5500 THX 5.1 Surround Sound Speakers | 2 Lite-On 20x S-ATA Burners | Logitech G700 Mouse | Logitech MX5500 Bluetooth Keyboard

The_Neon_Cowboy

Yea, they need to catch up with the perfomance and quality areas

I consider buying them again but I'd rather it be when theres real hardware backing up thier bechmark scores...maybe then i'd buy them again, when it's not drivers and developer specail added paths, tweaks, and lower res texures... "meant to be played games" etc....

they don't have an edge unless you consider the updated 3DFX's SLI edge, or partail PS. 3.0 support a "edge". Cards tha fallback to dx8.1 for some stuff and there for not 100% dx9 support either...thier opengl is nice but most games by a far are Direct X based.. were ati is far a head...

nvidia SLI 6800u's vs an x800xtpe isn't impressive nor is the price of a $300 SLI mobo and about $1000 in video cards... not to mention the users that wasted the setup scores in 3dmark05 with an overclocked X800 xt PE. Only place i'm seeing advantages are in ment to be played games wer they already have advantages and in resoultions AA/AF alot fewer gamers play with anyways...

to quote a previous post

the killer to remember this is up to $200 less on a mobo and about $500+ less in grahic card so your paying about $700 more for less perf or a little more


For example R520 was developed and already being made for use in a console
I belive it's the ? I forget.. I'm sure ATI working with ? helps them it always does but Nvidia will be working with sony and anothe graphics 3rd party/group SCEI . Also they will be working with cell processer tech (IBM). Wich mean they are going to be doing some learning and haveing acess to new Tech... wich will result in changes in thier directions / it's bound help them make better cards in the future

__________________

No_Style

I don't care about the power, I don't care who goes with who, all I care about is the games coming out for them. Since Sony is turned to nVidia for the GPU, it looks like they want the benefits of a company with graphical experience. Why didn't they turn to ATI? Maybe because MS and ATI are working together for the X-Box Next/2?

__________________

radE8

no but. that is your answer to why nvidia and not ati. that, and the fact that both behemoths (Sony and Microsoft) are fighting for control of the digital home. Why would Sony side with ATi (the pinnacle of full performance DirectX support) and aide Microsoft's cause when they could side with nVidia (the pinnacle of full performance OpenGL support) and continue to derail Microsoft's efforts.

Oh, and no need to post HL2 benches. That will cause others to post DOOMIII benches, and we're back to square one.

Wunderchu

[source: http://gear.ign.com/articles/571/571598p1.html ]

__________________
Heatware

May the light of the Lord shine upon your path.