During an ISSCC session yesterday, technology giant IBM revealed that it will soon transition the Cell BE processor found in Sony’s PlayStation 3 console to 45nm process.

What does this mean for you? The 45nm Cell will use nearly 40 percent less power than the current 65nm version, and its die area will be reduced by 34 percent. Reduced power usage results in less heat, which means Sony has less to spend on cooling components. That in turn means once PS3 units using 45nm process technology hit the market, we could be looking at another price cut.

IBM shrinks Cell to 45nm. Cheaper PS3s will follow [Ars]

Read more: PS3 40GB Still Using 90nm Chips, Says Sony, Cell CPU Goes 45nm In 2009, Cheaper PS3 A Possibility, PS3 40GB Uses Cooler, Smaller Chipset Design, Kaz Hirai Confirms 40GB PS3 Uses 65nm, NPD: 72 Percent Of America Played A Game Last Year