Intel unveils 48-core cloud computing silicon chip

BBC ^ | Thursday, 3 December 2009

[Bad~Rodeo]

Intel has unveiled a prototype chip that packs 48 separate processing cores on to a chunk of silicon the size of a postage stamp.

The Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC), as it is known contains 1.3 billion transistors, the tiny on-off switches that underpin chip technology.

Each processing core could, in theory, run a separate operating system.

Currently, top-end chips for desktop computers typically contain four separate processors.

Intel and Rival AMD will both launch six-core devices in 2010, allowing computers to simultaneously tackle a number of complex tasks, such as processing graphics.

'Tiny islands'

The chip has won the "cloud" name because it brings together the computing resources typically filling several racks in a data centre.

The SCC is made up of 24 "tiles" each one of which is effectively a dual-core processor.

The chip maker said the research that had gone into the chip suggests that it could, eventually, cram 100 cores onto a single piece of silicon.

In 2007, the firm showed off an 80-core processor, whilst earlier this year a US firm called Tilera announced a 100-core chip. Also graphics chip maker Nvidia has previewed its next-generation processor that has 512 cores.

However, unlike both of these, the SCC is based on Intel's X86 architecture, meaning it can run

[driftdiver]

Hope they run on coconuts or something else, because at the present rate we won’t have enough electricity to run these marvels.

[samtheman]

he SCC is based on Intel's X86 architecture, meaning it can run operating systems found in normal desktop computers such as Windows

Wow. 32 blue screens of death, all at the same time... that I gotta see.

[gov_bean_ counter]

Winding up here August next year. Gonna get a Mac Book.

[kosciusko51]

Macs are running with Intel X86-family chips now as well. The problem is not the chip...

[newfreep]

Macs and PCs use same hardware so only diff is the OS. Based on reviews & comments, W7 and Mac are pretty much the same - each have slight advantages in different areas but basically the same in total.

[August West]

Do you mean those chips will be on Macs next year?

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

but basically the same in total.

You believe that?

[newfreep]

Yes....but obviously the apple cultists will disagree.

[TruthWillWin]

Is that you HAL?

[SunkenCiv]

The Single-chip Cloud Computer (SCC)... contains 1.3 billion transistors... top-end chips for desktop computers typically contain four separate processors. Intel and Rival AMD will both launch six-core devices in 2010... The SCC is made up of 24 "tiles" each one of which is effectively a dual-core processor. The chip maker said the research that had gone into the chip suggests that it could, eventually, cram 100 cores onto a single piece of silicon. In 2007, the firm showed off an 80-core processor, whilst earlier this year a US firm called Tilera announced a 100-core chip. Also graphics chip maker Nvidia has previewed its next-generation processor that has 512 cores.

playstation 3 supercomputer site:freerepublic.com

Google

After the Folding@Home software was ported to the PS/3, the first petaflop came within a few months; the PS/3s went over a petaflop on their own a few weeks later; and after the software was ported to GPUs, the numbers changed faster than a 1960s McDonald's sign (or other appropriate metaphor).