160GB Sony PS3 may get 45nm Cell processor

A while back we mentioned that Sony was working on a PS3 with either a 120GB or 160GB hard drive.  While this isn’t proof, it does seem that a PS3 “revision” of some sort is indeed in the works.  It would make sense to release one with a larger hard drive and a few other tweaks but that’s mere speculation at this point.

IBM has been working long, hard hours to shrink the Cell processor to 45nm as opposed to the current 65nm version that is in use.  The new Cell uses 40% less power and the die area has been reduced by 34%.  This translates to a more power efficient PS3 and a lower cost.  Everyone wins.

But we’ll be waiting a while for those price cuts and the new PS3.  ArsTechnica says “savings may or may not get passed on to gamers in the form of price cuts any time soon.”  I’m sure there will be price cuts at some point but it will take a while.  It depends on what Sony decides to do.  It could go the profit route and not lower prices or attract new users by lowering the price of the PS3.

IBM is looking for other customers for the Cell processor besides Sony.  The performance of the Cell has remained the same.  No tweaks were applied to the 65nm version or will be applied to the 45nm version.  All are the same chip, just smaller versions of the original 90nm Cell.

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