QuoteIBM has admitted the yield for its Cell processor (as used in the PS3) is only 10-20% for a fully working 8 SPE unit. The pass rate for 6 SPEs or more is about 40%, but the PS3 uses 7, so the yield must be 25% at best for PS3 capable processors.
While not an issue for IBM, who could use Cells with only one working SPE in some devices, it is a problem for Sony, who need 7.

Other reports have said that the rate at which the 7 or 8 SPE cell units fail is quite high. So ideally Sony need 8 SPE cells in order to provide good reliability. SPE units can fail at any time, if one fails in a full 8 SPE core its ok, you still have 7, but if one fails in a 7 SPE core, your buggered. Could this lead to a high PS3 failure rate? If nothing else it could lead to a shortage of PS3s or the price remaining high for sometime after launch.

ill be honest i dont understand a word of that, but i think it means that only 20% of the chips that IBM press are suitable for use in the PS3, could explain the stupid costs?

i havent really been following it all but the ps3 is looking like abit of a white elephant.

This was already posted in the PS3 problems thread along with links.

Quote from: Deaths HeadThis was already posted in the PS3 problems thread along with links.

oops sorry. havnt been around for abit.

No worries.  Note that the 10-20% yeild is for 8 core Cell processors.  Yield for 7 core Cell may be as high as 40%.  PS3 will use 7 core Cells.  8 cores is for medical/military spec.