Does the PS3's power scare anyone else (in a good way)?

Question

with only 41,115 Ps3's running, the petaflop barrier was crossed on folding@home. F@H is a distributed computing network that is now the most powerful in the world because of the PS3. As the PS3 is capable of running 24/7, its potential for use here is just starting to be seen. It was only a matter of time before is got here, but with only 41,115 PS3's running, imagine what the numbers would be if everyone ran F@H, this could be something truly great.

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/09/25/foldinghome-petaflop-barrier-crossed-update/

This is not a console wars discusion, it is simple an amazing technological achievement that can lead to great adavances.

to reiterate, this is not for the discussion of the console wars.

for inteligent discussion, rewards for folding would be nice, but it would have to be done carefully, exactly how would you do it?

Answer 1

The PS3's power really doesn't scare me in a good way, it makes anxious and excited for what the future holds for the PS3. I haven't decided to run Folding@Home on my PS3 yet, but I think that I will now, because the whole project is something great.

I think that Gandalf made a good point. The PS3 users running Folding@Home for hours a day should get something for their support if a new cure or something is found because of the Folding@Home project, like Playstation Store credit or a giftcard to buy a Sony product.

Answer 2

Imagine how much greater it would be if Microsoft and Nintendo decided to provide the Folding@Home application on their platforms too -- that's 20 million more potential users. You have to commend Sony on their interest in science. Sony has done 2 really good things with the PS3: first they allowed Linux to be run on the PS3 then they made Folding@Home available. If only they had a game worth buying I would get one. I am guessing Microsoft isn't doing the folding project because they have to many issues with overheating at the moment to have the 360 running hot 24/7. Nintendo isn't doing it because they are really new to the whole "always connected to the internet" thing.

It would be great if some university just bought the unsold 1 million PS3s collecting dust in back-stock in the USA. Then we we would have 1,041,114 PS3 working full time on Finding cures.

Am I the only one that finds it ironic that the PS3 seems to be really doing great things in every area except for gaming.


**Update**
Jeseth:
You mentioned that Xbox 360 and Wii can't run Folding@home because they don't have the processing power. Well to quote the Folding@home FAQ ( http://folding.stanford.edu/faq.html#project.requirements ):

"What are the minimum system requirements? All computers can contribute to Folding@Home. However, if the computer is too slow (eg wasn't bought in the last 3-4 years or so), the computer might not be fast enough to make the deadlines of typical work units. In this case, one should run with deadlineless work units. "

So yes Folding@home can be run on the 360 and the Wii if Microsoft and Nintendo chose to do so.

And to the person asking the question I am not flaming the PS3. I just want the folding@home project to get more support.

Answer 3

If you want to be cheap, then buy a second hand 40GB PS3 (this ps3 uses different versions of gpu/cpu so it it less likely to break than the launch 60GB PS3) and then buy any 500GB laptop hard drive that will fit. It's what I did, and only paid $150 for the PS3 and then $59.95 for the hard drive. Works great, and you'll never run out of space.

Answer 4

yes, I wish we would receive some kind of reward for donating our processing power when not using ps3 to play games or anything while charging the controller.
Like a ps3 or folding@home T-shirt.. just an idea hehe.

Answer 5

To that kid who recommended 360 and Wii get in on F@H.

360 and Wii were not used because they don't have the processing power of the PS3 and that F@H would not be possible on the other consoles.