Supercomputer made up of 8 PS3 machines

Innovative technology toys like PS3, Xbox 360 don't just play games. At the University of North Carolina (USA), Dr. Frank Mueller used Sony's own gaming machines to create an inexpensive supercomputer.

Muller on his supercomputing complex.Photo: Engadget .

This computer professor has created a combination of devices with full of the highest technology gaming functions to the superior capabilities of modern computer generation. The consortium consists of 8 PS3s, which carry the power of small supercomputers but only cost about $ 5,000, meaning it is cheaper than advanced desktops from Dell or IBM.

"The PS3 has a very modern and easy data processing chip to link together, " Muller said. " The only problem lies in the RAM limit of 512 MB, but we will retrofit it." Another problem lies in the speed needed to perform calculations that require double precision in scientific applications, and the 65-nm technology chip Sony announced is about to come. meet this demand ".

In the Top 500 fastest computers in the world today, BlueGene / L is developed by IBM and located at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (USA) with the highest speed with more than 130,000 processing chips. Dr. Muller estimates that, with about 10,000 PS3s, they will have a system of 'dominating' the supercomputer world.

PS3 allows users to install Linux operating system. In addition, IBM has designed a data processor that facilitates the PS3 to be a perfect computer. Each contains 8 different processor chips (6 used for separate purposes and 1 multi-threaded dual chip). Thus, Muller's combination is a 64-chip operating system.

"3/1 is the birthday of the 8-PS3 supercomputer ," Muller said: " Of course, at school, this combination will be used for teaching and research purposes. But we are still working with scientists to find more popular applications for products ".