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AMD hints at faster, more power-efficient Xbox, PS4 chips

Industry observers estimate the new chips could be ready for the Xbox One and Sony PlayStation 4 in about two years

GarrusVakarian4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

"Microsoft's Xbox One and Sony's PlayStation 4 are due for release next month, but chip supplier Advanced Micro Devices is already teasing chip upgrades that could make the game consoles faster and more power-efficient"

Interesting. Faster and more power efficient, im all for this.

KHATL664609d ago

"Interesting. Faster and more power efficient, im all for this"

Me too. Just not sure how I feel about buying a new console every two years.

angelsx4609d ago

Anyway you buy new phones every year even more expensive

Braid4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

That they're working on more power efficient chips that could also be used on next-gen consoles doesn't necessarily mean that we'll see an upgrade to the console hardware in the near future, that'd be a somewhat contradictory practice to the nature of 'close-box' gaming consoles that we're used to -and more importantly- we all love, as it's undeniable that console gamers are more interested in comfort and ease of use than 'upgradable hardware' and 'more power'.

I don't know how this could work with the developers either, if there was a newer, upgraded hardware available, they'd have to write two types of codes that would benefit older and newer chips, and games would look different, which is the type of thing you see on PC gaming, and not on consoles.

I doubt console gamers would want or like that.

Ju4609d ago

This will be the exact same machine. No performance "upgrade" will happen on an SKU base. What it will be is a cost saving version, smaller, cheaper to build. But that's about it.

- BTW: In the future - which is already starting now - devs will have to develop for a broader range of HW. SteamBox is a nightmare in that respect, but also PS360/PS4One/Vita/Mobile...and PC. Developers are adjusting to that changing infrastructure, we might as well see a broader range of devices in 2-5 years. SteamBox is to consoles what Android is for Mobile. Fragmentation is coming.

Gaming1014609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

For those who can't read between the lines, smaller chips that use less energy produce less heat. This results in fewer failure rates, as heat is usually what melts some of the seals causing the yellow light of death on the PS3, and RROD in the xbox, cooling systems be damned.

This is not something that's going to run games better, although this 'closed box' model that everyone is alluding to is ridiculous.

If you can buy a $700 iPhone every year, why can't you buy a $400 console every 3 years? I'd like to be able to upgrade and catch up to the PC's of that time, it's ridiculous that it's been 7 and 8 years before a console upgrade.

Computersaysno4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

Its nothing new to the industry or particularly exciting. The console specs are now fixed, have been for months. They are both in full production, so obviously their hardware performance is now set in stone for their lives.

These will just be the designs for the 20nm fabrication node which should hit properly next year. Full mass production on the node at TSMC hasn't actually started yet- its not due until February 2014. It'll be May 2014 before a couple more 20nm production lines start up. I wouldn't expect consoles with 20nm chips arriving much before this time next year...

Both machines have been designed and launched on existing 28nm hardware which has been around for large dies at TSMC since early 2012, 18 months ago.

The latest node will be ready for full production in about 4 months, whereupon we'll see a brand new generation of fast PC graphics, drastic reduction in the price of existing cards and the consoles transitioning eventually to the smaller newer node.

The shrink should reduce the chips power consumption and eventually the cost of them. The problem is at the moment going to 20nm will be more expensive early on because of the major technical challenges posed by this process. It will come down however, in time.

Its standard procedure. The faster you get on the latest process generally the better because it allows you to cut costs and the cost of the console of course.

Smaller chips on good yields cost less. Smaller chips make less heat. Less heat means less cooling requirements. Less cooling requirements means cheaper cooling solutions.

Consoles won't likely move onto new processes until after Nvidia and AMD have launched their 20nm graphics cards.

The reason for this is that they buy up so much of the manufacturing capacity for their cards and pay a premium for it, that the consoles have to wait a bit until more capacity is around.

Gamer19824609d ago

Not gonna happen as older consoles wouldn't be able to play the newer games they cannot put out a new console every couple of years. People who use phones as an example of how it can work have to look at the bigger picture. You don't buy £60 games for your phone. It's as simple as that. They could upgrade the chips to make them cooler and the consoles smaller and cheaper. But they have been doing that for years. That's no doubt what this is really about and somebody is getting ahead of themselves here.

pixelsword4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

If I gotta get a console every two years, I might as well upgrade my PC; it's at least useful for more than entertainment: I can make money on my PC.

turgore4608d ago

Its not really a new console. It will probably be just like releasing the ps3 slim and super-slim or the xbox s.
If they will make it faster it probably won't impact gameplay in any way except a couple of faster fps.

Blachek4608d ago

Does anybody else remember Perfect Dark... what about the Expansion Pack it required to be plugged into your N64 just to access the Campaign in Single Player?

I wish it were this simple again to double the power of a gaming console

Hitman07694608d ago

I would support a new console generation every 4-5 years. 8-9 years was absolutely garbage.

Mr_Skyfish4608d ago

Aha but that's where a 2 year warranty comes in handy!

+ Show (8) more repliesLast reply 4608d ago
zeal0us4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

Well these probably won't be put into the next gen console 1-2 years. This gen we seen CPU and GPU process go from 90nm to 45nm. Both next gen consoles are starting out at 28nm. I wonder how low will next gen goes before this generation is over.

NarooN4609d ago

Depending on if they get TSMC or GloFo to do the chips, they might get down to 14nm FinFets or something.

HighResHero4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

It's becoming increasingly difficult to manufacture that scale and beyond I hear.
This (and battery limitations etc) is why we can see some stagnation in mobile devices.
Maybe we will see some massive, "quantum" ;) leaps though with some revolutionary technology.
28nm Is already pretty darn amazing imo.

GribbleGrunger4609d ago

And you think that they'll use that extra power? It's not going to happen.

FlyingFoxy4609d ago

It doesn't matter if the games are designed to use it or not, if there are any performance issues like frame rate dips and the newer chips are actually faster, it would give better performance at least in those areas.

hesido4608d ago

@flyingFoxy:

You don't want fragment your user base in the console world.

One good thing about developing for consoles is that you have set performance that you can optimize to. Making faster consoles inside a generation will ruin this.

Do you not think they could have upped the clocks on the RSX (ps3)? They could easily have. But the RSX inside the latest PS3's have the same performance of the first PS3 that's rolled out.

It's not as if they couldn't make a faster RSX.

rainslacker4608d ago

At most you might see improvement in UI functions and things not really related to games. Games will use the initial specs of the system, and Sony would not open up that power to be used on newer games for the sole reason of it fragments the user base.

They could become more reliable, if that happens to be an issue early on, but until these consoles are in use for the consumer, it is unknown if that is even neccesary.

It's a cost saving thing, and a way to reduce the form factor like they do with slim models.

ATi_Elite4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

Upgrade will be CHeaper to make NOT faster or more power.

Imagine having a Day 1 box then 2 years later that same box has a more powerful chip.

Now Devs are gonna make games using the better chip thus making you have to go out and buy another Box.

see the problem.

So cheaper to make is about all your gonna get and maybe more watt efficient.

Rhaigun4609d ago

Exactly. Even if the chip is a hair faster, we're talking about something so minuscule, you won't Eben notice.

thisismyaccount4609d ago

What if the new PS4 is up to 10 - 20% more faster and efficient ? What if next gen games will have an extra sticker on the back cover like :

Gran Turismo 8 (2018)
"Works only with PS4 Rev. 2.0 2015+"

come_bom4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

"AMD hints at faster, more power-efficient Xbox, PS4 chips"

And this is another of the reasons I'm only purchasing my next gen console next year. No RUSH!

nypifisel4609d ago

Going down in chip size will greatly reduce heat output and power consumption. But it wouldn't make sense to give them any upclocks due to it alienating consumers within their own brand.

Magicite4609d ago

does that mean that consoles will be upgradeable kinda like PC's?

3-4-54609d ago

If it's like what Nintendo did with the N64 and the memory upgrade I'd be all for it.

It has to be something everyone can plug into their console...

Having to buy a new model is going to make half your market mad.

DOOMZ4609d ago

Next thing you know we will be having contracts for consoles. This way when we are done for the two year plan, we can just trade it in for a new one,SMH!

kevnb4608d ago

maybe ill buy one in 2-3 years

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 4608d ago
4609d ago Replies(1)
Baka-akaB4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

There is no way they'd fragment their base like this . People need to let go of their weird dreams of an upgradable console ... it makes little sense and goes against the purpose of consoles .

Get a pc already if you care about that . Only way it will happens is if future consoles go cazy about clouds and streaming

DomceM4609d ago

"People need to let go of their weird dreams of an upgradable console"

No need to let go of "weird" dreams.

Steambox is upgradable. so if its a big deal for someone, then they can do that.

Baka-akaB4609d ago

And steambox is a console ? Nope . It aint even there yet to boot , let alone fragmenting any kind of market

thehitman4609d ago

steambox is just a branded pc like alienware with its own O/S. Doesnt make it a console.

Bob Dole4609d ago

The faster more power efficient chips would probably be put in the "slim" models a couple years down the line.

jeffgoldwin4609d ago

Highly doubt they wud be faster. More efficient and smaller, yes. Just like last gen of consoles where the cpu shrunk 3 times/more efficient. But never got a speed increase.

MidnytRain4609d ago

I don't understand what purpose that would serve. Boosted performance? As console businesses, they're not going to screw over the guys who bought a console at launch.

solidboss074609d ago

Indeed. It seems these people are after a Steam Box, or something.
Its all about reducing manufacturing costs, and power usage for the customer.

Jazz41084609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

Will not happen.

DomceM4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

What is a console? Your "Consoles" have pc parts in them this gen. In the past they had their own parts like ps3's cell, ps2s chip, etc. What do they have now? slightly customized pc hardware? Maybe they dont be deserved to be called consoles anymore? Its just a locked down PC now.

Steambox is a console that you can modify. thats all. It has a controller, it will be used in the living room etc...

And marketshare is irrelevant. Its either a console or it isnt. And in this case it is.

So yeah bottom line. Locked down pc + controller or open pc + controller. Barely any difference.

I think you are afraid to call steambox a console b/c you know how kick ass its going to be. And you dont want it to be compared with your machine.

solidboss074609d ago

No Dunder-Nut. We are calling a SteamBox a console you can upgrade' as opposed to PS4 ect with fixed components.
WTF are you going on about?

DomceM4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

Nice personal attack without understanding why I posted what I did.

I was responding to baka-akab above. You have 3 bubbles. Are you new to N4G? The comment structure can be confusing at times in terms of how it is layed out.

I clicked to respond to him, but you see yourself where the comment is located. I couldve specified i was talking to him in my original post though. Still had i replied to you, my post wouldve appeared shifted to the right under yours. Which is not the case.

Oh yeah, stop the name calling at the drop of a hat.

Baka-akaB4608d ago (Edited 4608d ago )

"I think you are afraid to call steambox a console b/c you know how kick ass its going to be. And you dont want it to be compared with your machine. "

My machine ? I've got a gaming able pc too you know ... and i'm actually interested by the steam box . So spare me the whole "ooooh you feel threatened " angle .

Steambox , as yet to show that it's going for a different market than the usual pc game . So far it seems just made to facilitate that and another mean to distribute them . So again , it hardly risk fragmenting any kind of market .

Meanwhile , until everything is cloud/streaming based on the console side , there is little , if any way for devs and constructors alike to waste ressources making different set of games for hardware variations on a same console .

saikorican4608d ago

People having "weird dreams" is how things like innovation start. You shouldn't insult people just because they hope for things to be a different way someday. An upgradeable console doesn't have to fragment anything if you have regulations and actually spend time to do it right. Not saying it's gonna happen anytime soon but don't be so closed minded.

Baka-akaB4608d ago

I've insulted no one here . And i did mention a future way of it happening , so keep reading whatever you want from it

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4608d ago
darksky4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

They could use the faster chips and allow devs to develop games that run better on the newer boxes and slightly downgraded on the older ones..i.e lower resolution instead of 1080p like XBOX one already does. The older units will then get phased out over a few years.

The benefit of this is that we don't have to wait for 10 years for the next gen to get better games and SONY/MS can build cheaper consoles in the process.

Bob Dole4609d ago

Sounds terrible. If that had happened last gen Bob Dole would have had a $600 phased out console.

DomceM4609d ago (Edited 4609d ago )

you shouldn't have gotten agrees for that comment.

This is normal for chips. (power + cost savings).

Show all comments (81)
60°

Next-Gen Xbox on Track for 2027 Release According to AMD

AMD has mentioned that the next-gen Xbox is on track for release in 2027, which means we might be in the final year of the Series X|S.

118d ago
KicksnSnares118d ago

Xbox is dead. How are they making another console? Fake news lol

fr0sty117d ago (Edited 117d ago )

They might think taking a crack at the PC/console hybrid approach might work out for them... but with PS6 delayed until 2029 at least, there went the power advantage that paying all that extra money was supposed to afford them once PS6 does launch. Also, releasing a console right now is stupid with RAM prices as high as they are. Either we're gonna be forking out $1200-1500 for this thing, or it's going to get downgraded. It costs over $700 to put 64GB of RAM into a PC right now because all the AI datacenters are buying up ALL the RAM.

Maybe a select few gamers will be willing to fork out that much $ for a system that is more powerful than PS5 Pro, but most gamers are only just now feeling like PS5 is hitting its stride and still has a few years of life left in it before we need to move on to a new generation. Plus, by the time PS6 does launch, RAM prices will be stablizing, so PS6 will be able to put much more of its overall budget towards a more powerful GPU and CPU vs. having to spend such a large chunk of the budget just on RAM like the new Xbox will, assuming it does drop next year while still in the midst of this RAM crisis.

Reaper22_117d ago (Edited 117d ago )

People said the same thing about xbox 360 launching early but it turned out pretty good. Microsoft's R&D is much larger and more cash rich than Sony's. They have the money to do it. One of the reason Sony is waiting because they arent ready to spend billions more on hardware and the PS5 is still selling and that would definitely hurt their sales. Plus they just released Ps5 pro.
The series x isn't selling well so for Microsoft its a good time to get ready for next gen. The next console from xbox is gonna be for core gamers and no matter when sony launches it probably wont have many advances over Magnus if any at all. Im confident it will be on par or better than the next Playstation. Even the series x does features that ps5 or the pro still cant do. Sony shouldn't of released the PS5 pro. Imo its not needed and underwhelming. They could of used what they spent on that for the PS6

salis844117d ago (Edited 117d ago )

First, no one actually said that PS6 is delayed.

The rumor started with Tom Henderson saying he thought PlayStation might consider delaying the PS6 due to RAM prices. He specifically did not say that he heard that they were going to delay it or anything like that, it was 100% speculation, and he never implied otherwise.

That said, let them delay it, the PS5 Pro especially with FSR 4 coming in the next month or so, will be more than sufficient. There isn't going to be any publishers, including Microsoft, willing to skip PlayStation's user base, especially when publishers seem eager to put games on Switch 2 which is a significant step down even from the base PS5. So, the idea that having more power is really going to shift things in their favor is extremely hard to believe.

Microsoft can make as many consoles as they want, the issue is convincing people to buy them.

Both the PS5 and the Switch 2 sold double the amount of consoles in December that the SX sold in the entire year of 2025. And I doubt that a super expensive co-pilot box is going to help them, especially if you look at the lackluster sales AI equipped PC's have seen.

117d ago
Eonjay117d ago

The next Xbox issaid to have 36 GB of memory so the price short from ram should not be as apocalyptic as a 64 GB kit. With the PS6 coming in with 30 GB, the RAM should not be what makes the Xbox cost so much more. Of course without Microsoft subsidizing the console the actual MSRPs may diverge wildly.

fr0sty117d ago (Edited 117d ago )

32GB of DDR5 still costs in the neighborhood of $250-300 for the super cheap stuff, $450 for the name brand. That's what entire consoles used to cost. That eats up a huge chunk of the budget that was supposed to be paying for the CPU and GPU, which means that the cost of this system will be driven farther north than previously anticipated, and it was already expected to be above $1k. Releasing a console in the middle of an industry-wide RAM shortage is stupid. Even GPU makers are scaling back production because of it, and focusing their remaining stock and production towards selling to datacenters. Some memory manufacturers have dropped consumer products entirely and now only make chips for datacenters. Nvidia is scaling back its consumer GPUs, no longer offering the super series of some GPUs, for instance.

For MS to pull the trigger now means releasing at a very risky price point against a PS5 that is simply on fire, even outselling the Switch 2 in many cases. It's coming at a time where the Xbox brand is at its weakest ever, and consumer confidence in the brand is at absolute rock bottom. Nobody wants to drop $1500 on an Xbox when they can play the same games on their PS5 Pro for half the price already, or even cheaper if using a base PS5. Only a select few enthusiasts will bother to fork out that kind of money... by the time this product reaches a price point where it can have mass-market appeal, the PS6 will be dropping... but by that time, RAM prices will be dropping, so PS6 will now be able to, assuming it does delay until 2029, invest more into upgrading its architecture over the previously released spec, invest in more RAM than the new Xbox will have, a better CPU & GPU, etc.

As for nobody saying PS6 will launch in 2029, nobody said it would come sooner either, not officially, at least. As of now all we have to go by are rumors based on internal information that could easily change at a moment's notice. Even the design of the chip itself could change as it has not yet entered into production. They could easily opt to include a few more CUs, more RAM, more CPU cores, etc. between now and when it does officially enter production. So, MS could drop a new Xbox now, but it wouldn't be wise, at all, for them to do so if they plan on even holding a candle agains the juggernaut that will be PS6. PS5 will most likely mop the floor with it due to its price point alone.

And that's assuming MS even gives the green light to start manufacturing the console to begin with. We'll see in the coming months if production even happens. Microsoft's shareholders damn sure aren't going to be willing to subsidize anything at all after they just dumped $100b into buying game publishers, expecting to see a ROI, and not seeing it anywhere near as fast as they'd hoped, which is why we're now playing Xbox games on PS5.

As for MS sitting on RAM, they are sitting on some, but Xbox is sitting on none. Microsoft knows good and well they will make far more money putting that RAM into datacenters than they ever would putting it into a console that is already at a huge disadvantage before it even launches, and has little hope of generating a lot of sales.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 117d ago
Neonridr117d ago

It'll end up being a Windows based machine that utilizes an Xbox ecosystem as well to play their game library on. But you'll end up being able to buy games from places like Steam as well more than likely.

Would make the most sense honestly. Best of both worlds.

Agent75117d ago

Microsoft should just ditch Xbox and cash in on PC and PlayStation games, maybe even Switch 2. Apparently, they make a loss on hardware, so what's the point?

Reaper22_117d ago

How can this be? Xbox died already.

117d ago Replies(1)
mkis007117d ago (Edited 117d ago )

What Xbox was is dead. Long live Xbox. I mean Halo and fable are coming to PlayStation this year. Gears and forza are already there. I'm here for it. I will absolutely give MS publishing my money if they make good games.

117d ago Replies(1)
Elda117d ago

My XBOX Series X is my first & my last XB console.

Show all comments (21)
150°

NVIDIA DLSS 4 vs AMD FSR 4 Compared: Ray Reconstruction Makes FSR 4 Look Last-Gen

FSR 4 was a substantial improvement to AMD’s upscaling solution. It reduces ghosting, improves finer mesh retention, and particle effects. In most cases, it delivers similar visual quality to DLSS 4’s CNN model, but slightly worse than the newer transformer model.

Read Full Story >>
pcoptimizedsettings.com
dveio180d ago

Since FSR is open-source and nvidia's DLSS isn't, I'd personally always prefer FSR.

Frankly, I think all these differences are nice to know (and notice) about if you're playing at DF level. And I totally respect that very small need to max out performance.

But given the prices, I don't think any nvidia GPU advantage justifies paying 1000+ bucks. I don't see any game(s) exclusively (or not) available on PC that offer a fundamentally different and innovative gameplay experience.

Notellin180d ago

There's never a good reason to own any products from Nvidia. They are one of the most destructive and anti-consumer companies that's ever existed.

Anyone buying and using Nvidia is only contributing to the downfall and end of gaming as we know it now.

With the rise of Nvidia all we've seen is price gouging while their products that continue to become less power efficient and their performance gains are so miniscule you'd need a 100x microscope to notice the AI upscaling. Pathetic really.

Tapani179d ago

Why do you need to pay 1000 bucks for an Nvidia GPU? You can find one that is faster than the PS5 Pro at 400 bucks, RTX 5060 ti 16GB, and it has better upscaling, more VRAM, multiframe generation and RT.

Gamersunite880180d ago

DLSS will always be better. FSR sucks.

__y2jb179d ago

The examples given look essentially identical.

babadivad179d ago

Exactly. Headline says FSR looks like last gen. Implying it's years behind the competition. Article says it's slightly behind.

Examples shown, the difference are barely discernible.

derek179d ago

I dont know about anyone else, but I've never had 2 screens playing at the same time to know the difference in performance of a given game. It's like those TV screen comparisons, virtually nobody in the real world engages does this, lol. Performance seems comparable to me. Besides Nvidia is no longer interested in the gaming products, its full steam ahead with "AI".

Tapani179d ago (Edited 179d ago )

Yeah, but the gaving division is still 8.5% of their global revenue, and they just made 30% YoY topline growth per quarter. A 11.35 billion business is absolutely massive, and this will continue to increase. That means there's 11.35bn reasons why they won't stop the gaming business, nor lose their focus on it. It's also their pivot if things do not go as well in the AI race. By end of 2026, they have DOUBLED the gaming division business in 5 years.

FY 2025 $11.35 billion 8.6%
FY 2024 $10.45 billion 15.2% (approx)
FY 2023 $9.07 billion -7.5% (approx)
FY 2022 $9.82 billion (approx) 49.6% (approx)
FY 2021 $6.5 billion (approx) 61.1% (approx)

MrDead179d ago

I've been lucky enough to get a new 5090 build in March, glad I went with Nvidia. Cyberpunk looks amazing.

Show all comments (11)
100°

AMD's RX9070 XT crushes Nvidia's RTX 5080 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 benchmarks - Story Mode

The 9070XT matches or beats Nvidia's much more expensive 5080 in CoD: BO7 benchmarks. A rare win for AMD. The article also takes a closer look at 9600X vs 9800X3D performance.

Read Full Story >>
storymode.info
wesnytsfs233d ago

No ray tracing might be why.

Runechaz233d ago

Ray tracing is useless in a fps

thecodingart233d ago

Came looking for dumb comments - found them

Zenzuu233d ago

Not every game needs to have ray tracing.

Darkseeker233d ago

I'd even say no games need to have it. It's just a ressource hog.

Blad3runner00233d ago (Edited 233d ago )

Why does the article use misleading terms like "Crushes" and "The 9070 XT "HANDILY BEATS" the more expensive RTX 5080" ? It even admits it at the end of the article, yet keeps the terms lol

Looking at the graph, the difference is only 4-19fps, depending on the settings.

I would hardly call a 4-19fps difference, "crushes" or "handily beats" and no one is going to buy a 9070 over a 5080 for COD alone. How does the 9070 fair in other games compared to the 5080?

OpenGL233d ago

I think they exaggerate because people like when a product punches above its weight, especially from an underdog, but yeah it's not a huge difference. There are plenty of games where the 5080 is significantly faster.

wesnytsfs233d ago

That is basically what the 5090 does compared to the 4090. I dont consider it crushing either and decided to keep my 4090 over geting the 5090 with its small increase of FPS.

OpenGL232d ago

That's a no brainer, the 5090 is definitely the fastest card on the market but the 4090 is the second fastest, so it's still extremely powerful.