I know of the PS3, but it is actually kinda a low output from what I have been told/read.

Has anyone tried the new 360 yet? it seems like it would be a good one to do... hella good processor in it anyway...

I mean I have never really gotten into the new consoles after the N1 really... just never could justify paying thatmuch that only did one thing, but if the 360 and be revamped to run boinc... I just might get one! (or 3)

The PS3 has a special function to let you install another operating system. In contrast, the xbox360 has many special mechanisms to make sure you can't get any software running on it unless it's digitally signed by Microsoft or a licensed game-maker. That includes Linux.

Of course there's already hacks that let you get Linux on it (search "free60" ), but it's not easy to install, and it might be illegal. It won't work if you have an up-to-date xbox kernel as it relies on a security bug in older kernels, and you need to patch a game disc image (which involves having the original game in the first place). Maybe also remove a resistor from the mainboard. Have fun.

EDIT: ugh, there's a BBcode bug here.

my 1100 movies and I are not really concerned about legality as I go by pre-DMCA rules where the buyer actually had rights. I copy friends movies, they copy mine... as it was before the neo nazi took office in the US.

As far as modding the boards, that will be something I will have to decide on when I see the write ups. I am good with solder.. but may not want to press the luck on a 300+$ game system... better off just putting together a quad core and callingit done...

The ps3 is by far the most powerful cruncher. You can get a RAC of over 3500 with one.

If you're not concerned about legality, it's still a bit of a mess. BTW: the resistor removal is just so you can downgrade kernel if it gets upgraded. If you make sure it never gets upgraded automatically, you could skip the resistor removal step.

See I thought that they were much lower rated than that...
Or maybe I was thinking of original Xbox?...

Hell and they are cheaper than xbox360 too...

From what I read, the xbox is better than the PS2, but the PS3 is better than the xbox360.

If the application uses the six SPEs, the PS3 is very powerful. The admins at PS3GRIG benchmarked it at 16x a single core opteron.

Ok now just need to finish work on my cherokee
Get a job
Sell or trade said cherokee (trade for a CJ-what I wanted to begin with)
Finish working on the garage so I can open my cnc machine shop ($50 a running hour)
Buy PS3, hack it and get it crunching
Finish the work on the truck (runs fine but interior work)
Buy another PS3, hack it and get it crunching
Then move to another state... as I absolutely HATE Illinois, at least where I live in it...
Buy another PS3, hack it and get it crunching
Buy a dual quad core MB, equip said MB with dual quads and get it crunching...
Ah the cycle of life...