CES 2024: The Technological Marvel of the Las Vegas Sphere
A side note: Estimating how much memory and storage is needed to power the Sphere
I just returned from an exhilarating week at CES 2024. While I will write a detailed post about my favorite products and exhibits, I wanted to write this quick post about how I was captivated by one of Las Vegas’s most iconic new structures — the Sphere. As a marketing leader passionate about technology and innovation, I couldn’t help but ponder the immense technological prowess behind this architectural wonder. So, I started working with Chat GPT-4 to estimate how much DRAM and SSD could be required to “power the Sphere!”
What is Inside the Sphere?
The interior of the Sphere is nothing short of a digital wonderland, featuring a 160,000-square-foot LED screen with a stunning 16K x 16K resolution. This enormous display, Sphere’s advanced audio system, and haptic feedback technology demand substantial DRAM. CHAT GPT ran the numbers based on publicly available data, and the estimates indicate a requirement of about 40 to 50 modules of 16GB DRAM each.
What makes up the exterior canvas?
But the Sphere’s technological marvel continues beyond there. Its exterior, covered with 1.2 million LED discs, forms a gigantic screen visible from afar. Adding to our DRAM estimates, this external display might require 50% to 75% of the interior’s DRAM requirement (assuming the exterior video is of lower resolution than the inside), bringing our total estimate to 60 to 75 modules of 16GB DRAM each! A standard work laptop has either 16GB or 32GB of DRAM! Imagine the sheer computing power needed to create this immersive interior and exterior experience. For standard 4800 MT/s DDR5, this would result in a memory bandwidth of 2688 Gigabytes per second!
Your Thoughts?
Now, I turn to you, my SubStack Community: How would you estimate the DRAM and SSD requirements for a structure as grand as the Sphere using publicly available data? Consider its dual role as a visual and auditory masterpiece, both inside and out. What are your thoughts on the interplay of architecture and cutting-edge technology in creating unparalleled experiences?
As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible, the Las Vegas Sphere stands as a testament to our incredible journey in the tech world. Let’s discuss and dream big — the future is here, and it’s exhilarating!
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