General Discussion I - Welcome to Gransys - Page 10

SpartanNinja - Wouldn't the computer have shipped with everything properly 'lined up' to begin with though? If not, it would seem to be a bit of an oversight on the part of Dell >_>

Alienware and other sources that offer customized services are more 'middle of the road'. You can choose to change things to a degree, but you're still limited in the parts you're allowed to pick (One of THESE 3 CPUs, those 4 GPUs, THIS much memory at THAT much speed, etc.). In exchange for the choices, you have to pay more on top.

Of the games I'd like to try, Monster Hunter would be one (Though I got a PSP download of one of their titles recently). There was another recent RPG that was Wii exclusive that got a lot of positive reviews, though I can't remember what it is called >_> That said, we shouldn't really be talking about this on the forums XD

I disagree. Pretty much all reports are stating 2013, and I personally see 2014 at the latest. The need to directly compete this generation would cause the big 3 (or at least the two more directly competitors Sony and MS) to release their consoles at about the same time. A lifespan isn't the same as a release cycle. The PS1 continued to live for a while after the PS2 released (helped by the much smaller remodel which had that screen as an option too), the PS2 lived on for a while after the release of the PS3. They plan to keep the PS3/360 alive for at least 10 years sure, it'll be more profitable for them in these later years, but make no mistake the next generation will be out well before the end of the planned lifespan of the current gen ends.

Meh, I doubt the power of the Wii-U or its architecture will be all that impressive. They raved about the PS3, calling it a mini supercomputer (and indeed, it is great when you get a bunch and network them), but it's largely hyperbole, especially in terms of gaming performance. The PS3 has had loads of trouble running games. Often the 360 outperforms it and it's a bog-standard PC styled platform. Part of that is limited by what developers know how to get out of it, part of it is that often the PS3 versions are ported from the 360 development, but the PS3 is a tecchie's wet dream that doesn't work very well as a gaming machine. Sony has abandoned Cell after all (sold off their rights, if I recall correctly). The Vita doesn't use a Cell type architecture either I believe, and I doubt the PS4 will. It won't even be necessary if the rumors are true and the PS4 won't be backwards compatible. In other words, it's a system with potential but for the time being it's not going to be bothered with. Perhaps years from now a Cell type system will be standard for computers (one or several main processors, and a bunch of slave processors to handle the lighter menial tasks).

Suffice it to say, all the fancy architecture in the world doesn't mean much if it doesn't work well as a gaming platform. it certainly doesn't help that Sony decided to go with a slow Blu-ray drive, which less capable (re: generally lazy) devs compensated for with mandatory installs (or optional ones that are pretty mandatory if you want to enjoy the game). Some of the installs are just stupidly large. Dragon's Dogma isn't the largest, and it's 4.5GB >_>

I'm not hating on Sony BTW. The PS3 is my fave console, but I can't ignore that they dropped the ball with the PS3.

quote Aeirou

Hey peoples, I've stickied a Header and Footer thread. So far we've had no entries and the dead line is still going to be 2 weeks from tomorrow on June 5th. If you have any graphic savvy friends or know a thing or two about photoshop, it'd be nice to get some entries.

Be sure to post it here

http://www.neoseeker.com/forums/34/t1673194-header-footer-competitions-around-neoseeker/

SpartanNinja - Must have been misunderstanding something there then, because it sounded earlier like you were saying that the timings in the clock settings were off.

Actually, it's not until later on in the life cycle of the console that they start reaping the rewards. Millions (hundreds of millions really) of dollars in R&D, plus similarly large losses in the initial years of a consoles lifespan mean that it's not until about the latter half of a console's life that they start making a profit on a given year. It takes a while before they break even, and even longer before the profits outweigh the losses and negative impacts of same (like stock dips, other aspects of the business that can't expand as effectively because the company isn't quite so liquid, etc.).

Console and software for same sales are all about the long term for the companies. Even Nintendo, which is the only one of the three who sells hardware at a profit from the start takes a while to really see the benefit, owing to the R&D costs. These companies actually are counting on sales of software and hardware of the older generation to keep the new generation going. There is usually a very attractive price drop on the old hardware and software around when a new console comes out (The PS2's price dropped to a very attractive $99 when the PS3 came out, as I recall). Brings in a rush of new consumers. So yeah, just because a new console comes out, doesn't mean the old one is dying so much as it is hitting its peak. Plenty of people don't have the money (or don't bother) to get the newest systems right away. The older generation is still getting far more software releases than the new one for some time after (launch lineups for consoles are generally not that large, and often not even that good). Even people who DO get the new consoles often continue to get older titles because they're done with the currently available titles they want to play.

The 360 doesn't use the Cell (Cell came out after the 360 released. Remember, the 360 came out a year before the PS3 did). It's a proprietary format from (I believe) 3 big developers, of which Sony was one (they later sold off their right to manufacture Cell chips, as mentioned earlier.). Microsoft had no hand in it. The 360 is just a standard PC like platform, with a multi-core CPU and a single GPU. Microsoft commissioned the CPU specifically for their console (Tricore) along with the GPU, but aside from certain little features it's not really anything unusual in terms of design.

In terms of uniqueness yes, but it's highly impractical to have very specialized hardware for consumer level products (ups the cost of production, which in turn makes the device more expensive, AND makes it harder to develop for generally). Cell is a good demonstration of "Unique idea with potential that didn't pan out." As I said, it'll probably be revisited in some form in the future, once a new form of processor comes out. I'm personally backing graphite based ones (500x to 1000x current processing capabilities. They just have to figure out how to mass produce them cheaply).

Well it seen I won't be getting Parasite Eve 2 for now, it will be between Arc the Lad: Collection or Lunar 2: Eternal Blue Complete. Probably on Friday when I get paid I can buy more. I'm just waiting for pictures, I hate to wait, I mean if you are selling something and don't put pictures or if you put pictures but not a lot to see the condition of all the items you going to expect people to ask for them. I hate this, and I have found good deals for both of them, one is actually brand new for a damn good price and the other is like new in perfect condition again for a good price.

I think I may get Arc the Lad: Collection since its brand new, and probably wait until Friday to get Lunar 2 and hopefully no one have bought it.

quote Shadow of Death

I would say them selling off the rights was their lack of confidence in the brand. How many different devices of Sony's are there that use Cell? Selling off the rights for something they think has a strong future would be a stupid decision on their part, makes little business sense for a company that has an eye on the long term. Hence why I think they don't expect much from it. They still buy the chips, but because they need them for PS3s.

Well aside from the odd machine here and there and the PS3 the Cell is used in Super and cluster computing which was its original purpose anyway. But I see your point and we will see what happens.

quote Shadow of Death

Them having similar PPE just means they're cousins. Doesn't make the 360 a Cell processor or even all that similar. I will admit that they're a lot more closely related than I thought though. They're still independent cores, rather than one master processor (the PPE) and 7 slaves (SPEs) of the PS3's Cell.

the Architecture is very different but it is scary how similar the setup and overall power can be.

quote Shadow of Death

As to graphite processors, some guy seems to think they can get much the same power out of Silicon Oxide.

When it come right down to it any superconductive material will do, the problem is finding one that efficient enough to be usable for processing where timing is everything.

quote Shadow of Death

Why Sony removed the support for "OtherOS", I dunno. It was getting it a lot of positive remarks. Liability issues? Probably trying to close off the system to modders ~_~

linking PS3s is only possible if the OS is changed, and when you do that you get guys who connect 200 of them together and cracked SSL. If you don't know what that is its https among other things.

http://hackaday.com/2008/12/30/25c3-hackers-completely-break-ssl-using-200-ps3s/

Meaning if you went to for instance https://google.com the it very well could have been fake the internet and your browser couldn't tell the difference.

But they were nice hackers and let it go, and did it for the E-penis instead.

quote Shadow of Death

Indeed, I think Neo's servers will go down because the admins there will flood the server floor with salty rivers of joy XD

makes sense given that NEO is all about Hardware and Gaming. Its right there in the title lol.

quote Shadow of Death

Well, Microsoft just tossed raw power in the mix, whereas Sony went for a more fancy architecture which had great potential but was hard to harness. That's Sony for you (The PS2 was also difficult to code for).

Its funny cause simpler is usually better but somehow the PS3 can still function pretty well considering how complex its stuff is. I've seen charts and can usually make at least head and tails of it but I looked at the PS3 and just stared at it cause I had no clue. But like I said ARM looks promising if only because its much more power efficient and simple.

quote Shadow of Death

What, they were worried about people using linked PS3's as a means of brute forcing their way into doing dastardly things?

That and certain security measures that are easier to circumvent using linux.

quote my link

The elimination of OtherOS inspired enterprising hackers like Hotz and Egorenkov to take it upon themselves to produce exploits that would essentially restore the feature for those with enough technical savvy.

Their efforts spurred legal action by Sony, which in turn prompted the anti-copyright movement Anonymous to target the company's domains with a DDoS attack this week using a downloadable tool called the Low Orbit Ion Cannon (LOIC).

Some Anonymous supporters are apparently using PS3's running Linux to serve up the LOIC attacks, as evidenced by the following screenshot provided by a source familiar with the OpSony assault:

Using linux run PS3 to serve up ddos attacks is not helping the issue either.

quote Shadow of Death

Isn't ARM mainly used for portable devices though?

yes, but it is very streamlined and energy efficient and surprisingly good at touch screen computing. better than most other architectures.

I prefer to think of it like cancer...now I do it myself so I'm not bashing it but it functions similarly.

at what point does the fringe grow beyond being fringe? Everyday people are being introduced to torrenting and emulating so at what point does it go from being fringe to mainstream? Is there a set number? no. So they are forced to take drastic measures early on to prevent exploitation. but as you are probably well aware modders and pirates will always find a way... How easy it is depends on how fast and how drastic the action is.

But just like Sharks and Piranha are draw to action so are the 'fringe'. The more one resists modders the more aware modders and other become of the situation and decide they wan to stick there noses in it.

And so what happens we have misguided ddos attacks on PSN which btw did not affect Sony as much as they would have liked but it sure as hell affects me, since its my info they have. So while the modders try to act the hero they are in fact just as guilty and bad (and maybe even more so) than the original issue.

For instance cracking ssl. What purpose did that serve? The people who use it now can't trust it. And the ones they were trying to get to don't care. So they are there own worst enemy.