PS3.5: Sony Patent Shows Plans To Increase PS3′s Power With External Processor
The PlayStation 3 was a massive investment for many gamers, especially for those that bought the console at launch. For Sony, the costs were even higher, with billions spent on development, and more spent on selling the console at a loss. So its no wonder the company wants to extend the PS3′s life-cycle, and thus make profit on the platform. Now, a Sony patent has hinted that they will release external processors to make the console even more powerful – without the need for a PS4.
The benefits of an upgrade to the PS3 are obvious – allowing for a more powerful machine, without having to pay so much for a new console. However, the “PS3 External Processor” has its drawbacks: it wouldn’t give consumers the same experience as a full new console, and would run the risk of both fragmenting and confusing the market.
The patent – from Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Tokyo, JP – explains the reasoning behind the processing peripheral:
In recent years, there has been an insatiable desire for faster computer processing data throughputs because cutting-edge computer applications involve real-time, multimedia functionality. Graphics applications are among those that place the highest demands on a processing system because they require such vast numbers of data accesses, data computations, and data manipulations in relatively short periods of time to achieve desirable visual results. These applications require extremely fast processing speeds, such as many thousands of megabits of data per second. While some processing systems employ a single processor to achieve fast processing speeds, others are implemented utilizing multi-processor architectures. In multi-processor systems, a plurality of sub-processors can operate in parallel (or at least in concert) to achieve desired processing results.
Coming to the conclusion that:
Accordingly, there are needs in the art for new methods and apparatus for interconnecting one or more multiprocessor systems with one or more external devices to achieve higher processing capabilities.
The patent is shown in a picture:
The dotted area 500, is the external processor, with the patent explaining that the memory it shares (514) with the internal processor could be DRAM, MRAM or SRAM, among others:
PE 500 is closely associated with a shared (main) memory 514 through a high bandwidth memory connection 516. Although the memory 514 preferably is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), the memory 514 could be implemented using other means, e.g., as a static random access memory (SRAM), a magnetic random access memory (MRAM), an optical memory, a holographic memory, etc.
The patent expressly states that several external processors may be used:
In accordance with an alternative embodiment, two processor elements may be cascaded by each employing its respective BIC in a coherent symmetric multiprocessor (SMP) interface (or BIF) configuration. The coherent SMP interface (BIF) of each processing element is coupled to one another to set up a coherent interface there between.
The patent was filed this August and only recently published, showing that any plans are most likely in the early stages.
Last year, EA’s Chief Creative Officer, Rich Hilleman, told VentureBeat how he “expected we’ll see a PlayStation 3.5 before we see a PlayStation 4 and an Xbox 560 before we see an Xbox 720,” ”
Would you be interested in purchasing an “External Processor”? Let us know in the comments below.
20 Responses to “PS3.5: Sony Patent Shows Plans To Increase PS3′s Power With External Processor”
Depends what it costs, and even if it really actually exists. Remember, just because something is patented, doesn’t mean it will be made.
Besides, where would it connect? Opening your PS3 voids any warranty, there’s no external connector other than the USB ports, and they simply wouldn’t be fast enough.
They could use the connectors on the back of the PS3 namely the HDMI but I don’t have the specs on how fast that connector can run when you add that “shared memory” box. This sounds like Sony is acknowledging that the “system” memory of 256k for DDR3 needs to be expanded and Sony wants to control how it is done.
If this becomes reality I would like to see it as a factory warranted upgrade, if it is just additional memory then Sony could just offer a new system board with the new changes to PS3 Slim/Phat users that have the newer boards. Since this will eventually would have to be incorporated internally in a new hardware configuration.
HDMI can run at up to 10.2 Gbps, which is actually only ~1.275 GBps. That’s fast enough to provide a slight speed increase, but barely noticeable. Plus, you’d then take away the best output port on the console!
” 256k for DDR3″ lol
that is megabytes dude. And there is 256 on the GPU and another one for the SPU for a total of 512 MB.
I would like to see a “system” board upgrade like Apple computer offered its user base when they first introduced the PPC processor in their computers. Since the early Power PC computers used the existing cases for Apples 600 series computers some people could get a system board upgrade for a price and then have a new tech computer.
If Sony did this I would like to see it, since everytime you insert a connection point, that point can be a cause for failure. When you consider the visuals of the patent that the external box is labeled Shared memory it looks like it would make sense to just create an internal memory card holder for the DDR3 high speed memory that the system requires or if it is for dedicated video then do that..
It Would Be great if we would not need to Buy a PS4…. Wich We Do… Faster Bd reader for example
Yes I would buy an external processor for the PS3.
It would be awesome if the PS3 could be turn into PS3.5 and thus granted PS4 game compatibility for some Extra $$. Sure it could be done, I don’t know how marketable that could be or if it would cut significantly into PS4′s sales, but I’m sure if it’s feasible it wouldn’t be so cheap and Sony would make good money out of this “converters”, as long as they make the old PS3 “flawlessly compatible” with PS4 games. I don’t think that’s ever been done before for a console, old hardware playing next-generation games. I wonder if that could work….
Personally, I’d go for the PS4, but I imagine their will be millions upon millions of people who would rather shell out $150-$200 for such a “miracle upgrade”. But I don’t know, it could get really messy, development-wise, they installed-base could be disrupted too and worse case scenario it could turn out to be another 32X, unable to take advantage of next-gen software and sabotage the PS4 in the process….no way.
No chance that this is a PS3.5 and it isn’t additional memory / CPU for the PS3 to allocate to video games either.
The diagram clearly illustrates the device would interface with an existing DRAM / Optical / other memory unit. The PS3 doesn’t cater for this, so it would need to be something new. Any connection with a PS3 (or indeed another device) would be via the device’s I/O interface, possibly USB, Bluetooth, Wifi, etc…
It’s more likely that this device will allow multiple Sony devices to connect, interact and share memory stores that could exist on new ranges of Sony devices.
This kind of developpement is very unlikely for a multitude of reasons. This said, the patent only expose a kind of need along a generic idea. The games made for a console are tailored to the very specific hardware it have and this is great strenght over PC games.
If anything, this is probably related to the PS4 developpement. They said they already begun doing so. It could be something like upgrading a GPU on a PC but way easier on next Sony’s console. Todays GPU are very capable of… I think it worth to sit down and think about what opportunities lie ahead.
That’s what I was thinking – PS4 development. With advanced planning, they could definitely set this up to work with the next system. Of course, this would require a careful marketing strategy to avoid confusion…
I would probably buy a external processor especially if it meant a faster running XMB. Maybe this is what sony is wait for for cross game chat.
hello…
I would buy anything that keeps my PS3 alive & kicking & the next console too as long as there are games.
I remember posting several times the need to expand memory for the PS3 via external devices (USB/HDMI pass-through/etc… used readyboost as reference).
I just want to see more & what technical improvements it brings, then wait for a testing phase before going for it.
cheers!
No, I will not be buying an external processor because my PS3 works perfectly fine with its current processor..
I really don’t see the need for an external processor…my ps3 runs like a ferrari
great, now i have to buy this!
I remember reading something about this in a rumor article when the PS3 first came out. NVidia has been working on the project during the time before PS3 but Sony didn’t want to wait for it. But its nice to see that its still a possibility. External Graphics card added would mean better 3D graphics and hopefully extend the life of a PS3.
how many external processors would be offered, and would there be benefit in purchasing more than one? Also, would the additional power be applied to all processes, or just upcoming games?
Yes. I’m interested in buying stuff that makes m PS3 more powerful.
What a load o bullshit!!!!!!!