Researchers have harnessed the powerful silicon chips used in the Xbox 360 console to solve scientific conundrums.

Academics at the University of Warwick believe they are the first to use the processors as a cheap way to conduct "parallel processing". Parallel computing is where a number of processors are run in tandem, allowing a system to rapidly crunch data. Researchers traditionally have to book time on a dedicated "cluster" system or splash out setting up a network of PCs. Instead, the Warwick team harnessed a single Xbox 360 Graphical Processing Unit (GPU). The chip was able to perform parallel processing functions at a fraction of the cost a traditional systems.

More: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/8254159.stm

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