PS3 Cell yields are in the toilet

Remember the fanboi brigade with more Internet access than either brains or common sense? They howled that it couldn't be true because their ego is staked on the PS3 that they will someday have. It just can't be happening. Well, we wonder if they will believe IBM Semiconductor VPs?

One of these pointed out that cell yields are in the 10-20 per cent range . With logic redundancy (translation: 'PS3 buyers only need seven SPEs [Synergistic Processing Elements], more would just be too much for such simple creatures'), they can double that. This suggests yields of 20-40 per cent.

Intel would have a hit squad sent off to deal with production execs if one merely cracked a joke about 70 per cent yields, and I can't see how 40 per cent will ever make the PS3 economically viable.

Once this gets out, look for a triumphant Sony exec to tell us about how it may be slow and de-featured, but the PS3 will be reassuringly expensive, and profits are for lesser companies. Besides, we mere mortals just don't get what Sony is trying to gift us with, DRM infected lock in.

Me, I am still trying to justify a 360 at half the price, available now. µ