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The Internet rumour mill has long churned through possible details of the next-gen processor. But the technical specs are finally being revealed at a technology conference, according to Reuters.

The processor - dubbed the 'Cell' - is reportedly based on the core

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of IBM's existing PowerPC processor line, such as those appearing in Apple desktops and servers. A multi-threading, multi-core 64-bit chip, it is designed to be capable of massive floating point processing and to be optimised for 'broadband rich media applications', such as delivering movies.

IBM and Sony claim that a one rack Cell processor-based workstation will reach 16 teraflops per second. Furthermore, the Cell processors will support clustering to act as one huge parallel processing unit. It was back in November 2004, that they showcased the next-gen Cell processor for the first time.

'Cell processor-based workstations will totally change the digital content creation environment,' boasted Masayuki Chatani, corporate CTO of Sony Computer Entertainment. 'Its overwhelming power will be demonstrated at every aspect in the development of all kinds of digital entertainment content, from movies, broadcast programs to next generation PlayStation games.'