Demise of the PC?

[kendor]

Is the PC on the way out at last?
http://www.blachford.info/computer/Cells/Cell0.html

 

[nstreet]

Does that not depend on what your definition of a p.c. is?

P.C. = Personal Computer. Any piece of hardware/firmware/software combination that performs a specific task, regardless of its architecture would still be a p.c. The size, look and cost of the box and its contents are not what a p.c. is.

It's a case that we have gotten use to calling that thing with an X86 or celereon processor a p.c.

Yes, its a different way for them to work.

 

[kendor]

the PC architechture as it stands at the moment old technology from the 70's.

 

[nstreet]

Agreed, but is a car not still a car, regardless of the technology that propels it?

 

[kendor]

wouldn't get very far driving a PC

 

[nstreet]

But aren't you to an extent, the emu is a computer

 

[kendor]

is that why rod hull used to stick his hand up it's jacksee to program it?

 

[nstreet]

And this is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year? Everyone join DIYnot and put a smile on your face

 

[planenut]

I'd certainly like to see more policemen around, regardless of the size of their box.

 

[pipme]

I'd certainly like to see more policemen around, regardless of the size of their box.

You will do - soon ! When the pubs and clubs are chucking out at 7 - 9 am --- You can watch en route to work !!
Nice to know where the 'all night' revellers will work --- the old King Cole no doubt !!

 

[AdamW]

P.C. = Personal Computer. Any piece of hardware/firmware/software combination that performs a specific task, regardless of its architecture would still be a p.c. The size, look and cost of the box and its contents are not what a p.c. is.

It's a case that we have gotten use to calling that thing with an X86 or celereon processor a p.c.

"IBM compatibles" as we used to call them when there were more standards about (before the redesignation of the Mac as a toy for arty types )

This "cell" idea is nothing new, it is just another example of distributed computing. Anyone knows that buying more expensive CPUs is a law of diminishing returns. Looking at one retailer today, an AMD64 rated at a performance figure of 3700 is £305, whilst one rated at 3400 is £150. Twice as much money for a 10% performance increase.

So, rather than try to build one big powerful CPU, you take several cheap CPUs and work them together in parallel or in distribution.

Such computers are no longer the stuff of Universities and government institutions, a dual-processor PC is not THAT uncommon in the home of an enthusiast, and there are also people who build "Beowulf" clusters. Such a cluster is a big pile of discrete PCs, connected via a network (people often use gigabit ethernet for this), that then appears to the user as one very powerful computer.

"Cells" is just a nice pretty name, and more cleverly packaged processing nodes. In fact, what they show in a diagram offers little difference in it's design to a P4 with "Hyperthreading".

 

[AdamW]

Looking at that guy's page some more, it is revealed why he thinks this is a neat idea... he is... a mac-man! Hence his love of mentioning PowerPC processors.

Although, respect where it is due: he does own a couple of Amigas, good man!