Sources detail PS4 processing specs

[Two4DaMoney]

I feel like yelling. All these fucking rumors as of late is enough to drive someone mad. Was the rumors crazy like this before the ps3/360 dropped?

[malys]

I have no doubt that's the spec that were handed out, two years ago when they probably first started sending information out. Specs change on new consoles all the time. I like the idea of a switch to. Whatever ends up being added will be a custom chip/s regardless of the base architecture, that will be a lot more powerful than the same pc counterpart. It's most likely the chips they will be using won't be out until next year so how can they send out specs that don't exist yet. Sending out lesser specs of similar architecture let's people get a large head start so you end with more launch titles. They won't be pushing graphics boundaries but no launch titles usually do anyway.

It's highly doubtful they use the cell again, when the ps3 came out the cell was the best around, but thanks to the cell other manufacturers have played around with chips with specialized cores and get the same benefit of power. That's one of the reasons IBM has given up on the chip, it was the right technology but the wrong implementation. Switching to x64 will save on power and make it a lot easier for companies to program for.

While the cell isn't difficult to write for, optimization takes a lot of people and a good bit of time leading to higher creation costs. The ps3 was great on high end ability, but very low on games that actually hit that, what's the point of that much power if nobody can use it, but at the same time they don't want to make another Wii that hits max the first week and nothing ever pushes the limits. You won't end up with high end pc levels but we should get a lot more games, a much better interface, and more applications/functions

[jj03]

i'd like the ps4 to be tampax red in colour and come with a 'bitch' warning system...for when the wife appears and starts moaning...

[Bligmerk]

I feel like yelling. All these fucking rumors as of late is enough to drive someone mad. Was the rumors crazy like this before the ps3/360 dropped?

There is only one rumor. It has just been posted, re-posted, cross-posted, and mutation posted a few thousand times, until you see one like the OP, which is exactly the same when it was posted last month, the month before that and back into last year. This same rumor was being used for the *IMMINENT* announcement, in late 2011, of the Xbox 720 at CES 2012, which happened in January, the result which is here:

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Epi...012-38465.html
Epic Fail: Microsoft Fails To Announce Xbox 720 At CES 2012

A few people in this thread recognize that, then there are several people that seem to be totally clueless. It is the same bunch of people circulating this sucker bait and the same suckers bite at it, over and over. Charlie Demerjian, Kraptaku, PSU, IGN, Paul Thurrott, the same people that were passing around similar trash when the "ps3/xbox dropped".

The real mystery is why so many people stay so stupid and gullible for so many years. It was Charlie Demerjian and Paul Thurrott that started this latest gossip (it doesn't even have enough credibility to be called a rumor), except when they started it last year, with an AMD GPU/CPU and the ATI GPU "leaked" by "sources" and IT WAS FOR THE XBOX 720. Apparently, they looked really stupid when the 720 wasn't announced at CES, they scrambled to make the "sources" now say, oh, it is actually the PS4 they were talking about. Here are the real "sources" and you will see Luke Plunkett in there, as well as good old Charlie, Paul Thurrott, and the youngest one is the main source, he has a next gen poo flinging job with a yet to be announced AAAA title (since as we all know, MS came out a couple months ago and said AAA wasn't good enough):

[Lefein]

http://youtu.be/b5PI_1P02Ig

[Morganator]

http://youtu.be/b5PI_1P02Ig

And I have no reason to start believing Pachter now. Sony, Microsoft and/or Nintendo WILL do it regardless of what, we the consumer, want. They know it and those consumers with at least half a brain know it too.

[Ghost-Rhayne]

There is only one rumor. It has just been posted, re-posted, cross-posted, and mutation posted a few thousand times, until you see one like the OP, which is exactly the same when it was posted last month, the month before that and back into last year. This same rumor was being used for the *IMMINENT* announcement, in late 2011, of the Xbox 720 at CES 2012, which happened in January, the result which is here:

http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Epi...012-38465.html
Epic Fail: Microsoft Fails To Announce Xbox 720 At CES 2012

A few people in this thread recognize that, then there are several people that seem to be totally clueless. It is the same bunch of people circulating this sucker bait and the same suckers bite at it, over and over. Charlie Demerjian, Kraptaku, PSU, IGN, Paul Thurrott, the same people that were passing around similar trash when the "ps3/xbox dropped".

The real mystery is why so many people stay so stupid and gullible for so many years. It was Charlie Demerjian and Paul Thurrott that started this latest gossip (it doesn't even have enough credibility to be called a rumor), except when they started it last year, with an AMD GPU/CPU and the ATI GPU "leaked" by "sources" and IT WAS FOR THE XBOX 720. Apparently, they looked really stupid when the 720 wasn't announced at CES, they scrambled to make the "sources" now say, oh, it is actually the PS4 they were talking about. Here are the real "sources" and you will see Luke Plunkett in there, as well as good old Charlie, Paul Thurrott, and the youngest one is the main source, he has a next gen poo flinging job with a yet to be announced AAAA title (since as we all know, MS came out a couple months ago and said AAA wasn't good enough):

+rep

[radgamer420]

Meh more rumors. That being said I dont think the next gen will be the quantum leap that people are expecting due to MS and Sony wanting to launch their hardware at a competitive price. People who believe that these consoles will have 4gb or 8gb of RAM are going to be sorely disappointed. I would say 2gb at the maximum is more likely.

[Nu Soard Graphite]

My sincere hope is for Sony to use an upgraded Cell (faster clock speed and maybe a few more cores...perhaps 2 PPE's and 12SPE's) in order to facilitate PS3 backward compatibility (though they've said its not a priority) and it needs to be powerful enough to implement flawless emulation of PS2 software (and maybe even upscale it) and the video capabilities need to be able to do 3D in 1080p as well as uncompressed audio.

I know its a pipe dream, but thats what i hope for. Developers know Cell by now. Simply giving them a more powerful version with a burly graphics processor would make it easy on current developers. At the very least, the PS4 needs to be able to produce high end grfx slightly better than what the best pc cards are capable of now. If they dont, microsoft will eat their lunch next gen...

[Bligmerk]

There is no doubt the next generation is a year or two away now, that much is certain. So, there is a growing interest in what that will bring. These web and blog site rumor-mongers know that and it means increased traffic, if they can make the rumors sensational enough. Sensational doesn't have to mean good or even credible, more often it is more effective by being false and outlandish. It would be more service to gamers if these sites would actually have some actual factual tidbits instead of just WAG (wild ass guess). Since this would actually mean investigative work, it is a lot easier to smoke some dope, kick back and have a bowl with little paper slips to randomly pull out, saying things like "no used games", "AMD x86 processor", "Southern Isle GPU", "ARM processor", "PowerPC processor with GPU on die", "no backward compatibility" and so on. Then just start taking the random draws and make a story out of them. And that is all these are, just stories, not rumors or leaks. And this thing about "anonymous sources" is derived from a principle of journalistic integrity and ethics that all sources are kept confidential. These people have no integrity or ethics to begin with and they are not journalists, so why continue this fraud of keeping sources anonymous? The real reason is because they are fake or not trustworthy once they are known.

Below are a couple references. One is Charlie Demerjian claiming the Oban taped out in December 2011 (its really hilarious that at one point, the doofus said the code name was Obed). If that were true, then it would mean MS finalized the design of their Next Xbox late last year -- with the technology of late last year, to go into production in 2013. This article is actually a modification of the earlier articles he was posting claiming the Next Xbox would have a multi-core AMD processor on die with a GPU. Notice how similar that is to the current round of story spreading? When he was claiming the Next Xbox would have a multiple core AMD x86 processor, there was an uproar about backward compatibility. So what does he do? He conveniently claims Oban now has a multi-core PowerPC processor. Voila! BC controversy for Next Xbox is taken care of, now shift that uproar over to the PS4 by saying it will be the one to have a multi-core AMD x86 processor. Sheer genius! In the article, even the "sources" can't agree. MSNerd says no, not a multi-core PowerPC processor but a multi-core ARM processor and HardOCP says no, it is a multi-core AMD processor. Truly, this is an idiots' parade. The second reference is somebody keeping track of all the Next Xbox stories. If you put them on a timeline, then you can see the progression and you will notice, at one time, it was MS that was going to get rid of used games. Huge uproar, OK, quick, claim it was Sony that came up with that. It is so stupid, it can make somebody laugh and cry at the same time.

sauce
Report: Xbox 720 chip tapes out
December 7, 2011

Microsoft has reportedly taped out a next-gen chip for its upcoming Xbox 720 console.

According to SemiAccurate, the processor - which has apparently been dubbed Oban - is powered by PowerPC architecture.

However, MSNerd claims the mystery chip is based on ARM architecture, while HardOCP believes Oban may feature an AMD x86 core.

"[Yes], the chip itself is a little bit grey in areas," tech guru Charlie Demerjian acknowledged on SemiAccurate.

"[Yet], it is definitely an ATI GPU which lends itself towards the backwards compatible option. IBM is also involved, so eDRAM is very likely, something our sources are all confirming."


Demerjian - who estimated the next-gen console would likely launch in late spring or early summer of 2013 - also noted that Microsoft was being "quite mum" on its plans for the 720 at this point.

"Normally, a game takes ~2 years to write from scratch, so you get devs in the loop early, especially on new hardware... [So either] the launch is later than Q2/2013, or the developer's job will be different this time.

"By that, I mean backwards compatibility, so you write for the XBox 360 and add features for the Next, or that you are forced to write generalized Metro stuff to a black box."



Demerjian, an Atari veteran, noted that with luck, it would be a 100% superset of XBox 360 features, which would make life much easier for devs.

"If Microsoft decides to try and leverage the failed Wince/Windows Phone Whateveritisthisweek by making the XBox Next run the same VM/middleware, I can see a developer revolt and slews of lowest common denominator software packing the virtual shelves.

"[Fortunately], at this point in time, the software ecosystem seems like it is going to be much more interesting than the hardware," he added.

10/15/2008
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to provide "Forward Compatibility," make supported current gen games look much better
http://kotaku.com/5063787/rumor-next...ard-compatible

4/16/2011
Gamerzines: Crytek wants 8GB of RAM
http://www.gamerzines.com/playstatio...n-8gb-ram.html

4/20/2011
Kotaku: MS targeting 2014 for Xbox 720
http://kotaku.com/5794000/microsoft-...o-in-the-clear

7/7/2011
HardOCP: AMD wins all GPU contracts; Xbox 720 to have new IBM cell processor
http://hardocp.com/article/2011/07/0...sole_hardware/

7/19/2011
Tomshardware: AMD: Xbox 720 to Have Avatar-level Graphics
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/AMD...son,13095.html

7/20/2011
HardOCP: AMD gets Xbox 720 contract, rumoe of Fusion Bulldozer Variant
http://www.hardocp.com/news/2011/07/...ardware_update

8/15/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox SoC (CPU+GPU and eDRAM) named “Obed”
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/08/15/n...name-and-date/

10/20/2011
Develop Online: Xbox 720 in 2013
http://www.develop-online.net/news/3...-for-Xbox-Next

11/7/2011
MS Nerd (IGN): Code Named Loop, Xbox 720 to be ARM based, smaller than Xbox 360; will have dedicated cores for graphics, AI, physics, networking, encryption, sensors
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/...-than-xbox-360

11/9/2011
IGN: Xbox 720 coming holiday 2012
http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/...g-holiday-2012

11/14/2011
VG247: Xbox 720 to have 6 core CPU, AMD GPU
http://www.vg247.com/2011/11/14/repo...re-cpu-inside/

11/14/2011
Eurogamer: Microsoft plans two versions of its next Xbox - rumour
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...xt-xbox-rumour

12/5/2011
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 chip taped out
http://semiaccurate.com/2011/12/05/e...ust-taped-out/

12/14/2012
CNET: Xbox 720 confirmed for 2013 launch
http://news.cnet.com/8301-10805_3-57...x-design-boss/

1/18/2012
SemiAccurate: Xbox 720 Chips in production; SoC, PPC, and AMD GCN based
http://semiaccurate.com/2012/01/18/x...in-production/

1/19/2012
Fudzilla: Next Xbox to use a SoC code named “Oban,” in production; PPC based
http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/i...ct-run-is-real

1/24/2012
IGN: Xbox 720 Chipset in Production; “Oban” ready, no launch until 2013
http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/121/1217112p1.html

1/24/2012
IGN: Coming 2013, Xbox 720 Will Be Six Times as Powerful as Current Gen (6670 based, not GCN)
http://uk.ign.com/articles/2012/01/2...as-current-gen

1/25/2012
Eurogamer: Next Xbox GPU based on £50 Radeon HD 6670 card - report
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...70-card-report

1/20/2012
OXM: No Xbox 720 in 2012
http://www.oxmonline.com/microsoft-s...3-system-debut

1/25/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 to play Blu Ray; may block used games; Kinect 2; may be 6-8x faster than Xbox 360
http://kotaku.com/5879202/sources-th...oduce-kinect-2

2/10/2012
Eurogamer: Xbox 720 to use tablet like touch screen controller; UE4 running on next gen platform
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/20...troller-rumour

2/15/2012
Kotaku: Xbox 720 code named Durango
http://kotaku.com/5885539/the-next-x...e+nameddurango

2/28/2012
TheVerge: Crytek Twitter leak indicates Xbox 720 code name is Durango
http://www.theverge.com/tag/xbox-durango

3/8/2012
Gadgets: Xbox 720 shown in London with amazing graphics
http://www.gadgetsandgizmos.org/xbox...zing-graphics/

3/9/2012
MCV: Xbox 720 to have no disc drive, 2013 release
http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/exclu...xt-xbox/092534

3/9/2012
Joystiq: Battlefield 3 developer DICE says 2GB of memory not enough, needs more future proofing
http://www.joystiq.com/2012/03/09/ba...eam-specs-for/

3/14/2012
Kotaku: Obsidian cans dev team making Xbox 720 exclusive
http://kotaku.com/5893427/rumor-obsi...d-by-microsoft

3/16/2012
Tomshardware: No Xbox 720 at E3, 2012, or anytime soon
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Mic...ole,15043.html

4/2/2012
VG247: Dual South Island (GCN) GPUs not in SLI, 4-6 Core CPU, Blu Ray, Kinect, Always On Internet Required, 2013 release
http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/02/xbox...tcon-required/ (http://www.vg247.com/2012/04/02/xbox...tcon-required/)

[daLa]

I've always been a PS owner, still one One, 2 and 3. But Sony better step they game up and have a next gen console as powerful as Microsoft's or more powerful, if Microsoft's it's significantly more powerful than Sony's then I will consider switching.

[coolguy]

it sounds good. look what they did with the gpu in the ps3 it was a gt 6800 card. i have faith in sony

[tbx59]

at this point, I'm more interested in services in the console - if xbox is going to keep handing out money hats for espn and hbo, then i'll just go with that - I've always liked sony stuff, from the folks bringing home an early sony CD player, to saving money to buy mini disc as a teenager, etc. But, games are games, and living in the US, xbox is winning overall online and paying for the services that matter.

Unless sony goes balls to the wall like I have come to expect from a sony product, I imagine my next console will be xbox, hope not though - hope sony sacks up and is true to their DNA and s____ out a forward thinking (even if it doesn't work, hell the fact their crap doesn't always capture the market but is always trying to move the ball is endearing).

meh, big Ns geneartion late tactics the last gen and this one coming up, and sony maybe not being sony - a lost generation, just hope it's short.

[jj03]

its ps4 or nothing for me..

[Lefein]

its ps4 or nothing for me..

I more or less share this sentiment. If the PS4 ends up being a debacle then I will be a PC-only gamer.

[MBS D@v!d]

I think that Sony and Microsoft both know that they MUST both deliver great machines. This time, I expect Sony to really go for raw power. They can't take another PS3-like situation where the Xbox360 has the advantage in most multi-plat games. They'll either make it a high-end powerful multimedia gaming machine, or they'll totally screw up. The same goes for Microsoft, although Microsoft has some sort of advantage. I think it's up to Sony to deliver, because Microsoft already did.

Even though the PS3 is my favourite console, Microsoft did it better - they have better online services (besides the fact that you have to pay for it), and the machine was powerful enough to handle games that are about equally as good as PS3-games (although some PS3-games stand out, like GOW3 and KZ3) but at the same time, they used very simple hardware. The Xbox360 is nothing but a simple PC in a small, nice-looking plastic box. Easy to code for, cheap to produce.

I bet that Sony will go for some kind of hybrid between the Xbox360-structure (simple, PC-like) and the exotic desing of the PS3.

The PS3 costed 599 Euros at launch in Europe. Sony shouldn't go over 649 Euros at launch in my opinion. But they MUST provide a killer-machine in terms of raw power. I want a huge step forward, although we must accept that the steps between future console generations won't be as huge as the previous ones. The cheaper, the better - yes - but we won't get a great console if they don't put in some of the best hardware available at the time. That's what I think.

We just have to wait and see. I'm sure both companies will come up with great machines. As long as they're at least equally good (like the PS3 and the Xbox360), I'll go for the PS4. If the next Microsoft console is clearly superior to the PS4, I'll go for the new Xbox or just buy a high-end PC. That's it.

[skinny_jr]

its ps4 or nothing for me..

This!!!!!!

[jj03]

I more or less share this sentiment. If the PS4 ends up being a debacle then I will be a PC-only gamer.

if it does turn out badly, i will start gaming on my pc...

[Two4DaMoney]

its ps4 or nothing for me..

Same for me.

I don't give a shit if it ends up less powerful than the nextbox if the games are basically the same. Now if the nextbox are getting games that can't be done on the ps4(such as wii not having gta4 while ps360 does due to hardware power) then I'm going to have a problem. There's no way I'm missing out on Sony first party titles. Worst comes to worst, I'll jump into next gen 2 or 3 years after launch.

[Sub-stance1]

There is a good chance that it will be less powerful but it all depends on how the devs work with it. I don't think power needs to be the focus of the next PS. It needs to be more balanced and easier to develop for. They are supposedly going with AMD so it looks like they are going that route.

[TheTenth666]

Most people can't see the difference between HD and SD on a HDTV, they believe having a HDTV means they're watching HD. I've been gaming since age 7 (I'm 42) so I've seen graphics of the Atari 2600 and the progression since then. The human eye will soon meet its limits and upping the graphics will meet its limits soon because of that.