IBM's New 9-Core Cell Chip Hit's 5.6 GHz

"Cell - coming soon to a broadband device near you!"

After four years and over $400 Million, IBM has secretly co-developed a multiprocessor that has redefined the way multiprocessors are designed. This chip, known as Cell, is of a new breed of processor known as "multicore", meaning chips with more than one processing core burned into the same piece of silicon.

So.... where are Intel and AMD? Well, they have been busy announcing dualcore processors, however, the Cell chip skipped 2, 3, and even 4 to come in at a staggering 9 cores. Did I hear a 9'er in there??? Yes, 9 cores. I'd say... "thanks for playing." And just for some salt on the rim, I also heard rumor that the Intel design may not hold up when push comes to shove... but that remains to be seen.

In a recent test they topped the Cell chip out at over 5.6 gigahertz before popping it's voltage regulator (Business 2.0). The chip was designed for the newest Sony Playstation consol, but I have a feeling we will be seeing it in a number of the new consumer devices slated for the future. Good work to the IBM team in Austin and we look forward to the functionality we will get out of this new design!