Journal #6365

Posted 14 years ago2010-01-31 21:46:20 UTC
When I first started to read this news report, I said to myself "what a waste of tax payer's money"! I mean come on, the government buying a shit load of PS3's to do a technical experiment? Well, I hope it gets some very, very, very good results, because if it does not and the way the economy is, some Air Force General's head will be on the proverbial chopping block:

http://videogames.yahoo.com/events/plugged-in/u-s-air-force-building-supercomputer-from-ps3s/1387199

10 Comments

Commented 14 years ago2010-01-31 22:02:51 UTC Comment #59803
And why do they want to use PS3s instead of a real supercomputer?
It's not like they actually care about the enviroment.
Commented 14 years ago2010-01-31 22:06:29 UTC Comment #59794
PS3s have become popular as servers. I guess they're pretty cost effective.
Commented 14 years ago2010-01-31 22:26:32 UTC Comment #59798
I don't see how that's a problem. It's cheaper than a proper supercomputer, and the experiment probably isn't important enough to use a real supercomputer that might be needed for something else. Plus, the technology that they're researching could have quite a lot of applications.
Commented 14 years ago2010-01-31 22:28:04 UTC Comment #59801
My guess is, they must have gone directly to Sony so they can get a sweet volume discount on their wholesale purchase. But then again, knowing how it is with the federal government and big business, I won't be surprised if Sony charged the U.S. Air Force over $1,000 for each PS3.

You know, this reminds me of a story from several years ago about some university in the U.S. that hooked up in the same way several hundred of the top of the line Macs of that time, to create a "Super Mac".
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-01 01:50:02 UTC Comment #59797
Hehe...Super PS3...I want one =D
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-01 02:38:44 UTC Comment #59802
With what hlife_hotdog said in mind, let's do some math here:

Let's assume the PS3's in question are the 120GB models that retail for about $300, okay? Now, the article says they will start with 1,700 PS3 units, but will eventually number well over 2,000 PS3's. So, since we don't know the exact final number of PS3's to be used, let's just then stick to the nice round middle number of 2,000 PS3's.

2,000 X $300 = $600,000

So my question is, does anybody here have over a quarter of a million dollars to spare?

And another thing.......can you imagine the awesome frame rate that could be achieved on any game regardless the number of players on screen? It gives me goosebumps just by thinking of it.
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-01 06:24:15 UTC Comment #59799
Maybe they want to equip the NASA space shuttles with PS3's for the Mars expedition so the crew won't get bored.
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-02 02:38:28 UTC Comment #59795
omg if they send 'nauts to mars without any form of entertainment (ps3, xbox, whatever) i got a feelin they're gonna be pulling some rocketman stuff
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-02 04:36:16 UTC Comment #59796
"I'm not the man they think I am at home. Oh no no no I'm a rocket man!"
Commented 14 years ago2010-02-02 18:06:16 UTC Comment #59800
"omg if they send 'nauts to mars without any form of entertainment (ps3, xbox, whatever)"
They'll play Space Invaders.

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