ATI/AMD win GPU contract for next Xbox

[Queasy]

Fudzilla got the scoop from 'industry sources'. This pretty much ensures backwards compatibility instead of trying to come up with software based BC because of differing manufactures/architecture.

We've learned from industry sources that AMD / ATI has already won the GPU deal for the next generation XboX console. It looks like Microsoft was happy with first Xeons GPU and it wants to continue using the same, especially since the new ATI GPU should keep the compatibility with legacy games.

The consoles refresh was supposed to happen in 2010 but due to the recession both Microsoft and Sony have decided to push its plans for 2012 and keep the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 alive for more than it was originally planned.

We don?t know how the GPU looks like but judging from the timeline when it is supposed to be delivered we suspect that it might be a 28nm part.

 

[Fox5]

The cpu is honestly a lot more important for backwards compatibility than the GPU. And given how strongly Microsoft has pushed managed code, that may not even be necessary. If there's a console maker who could make "write once, run on any of our consoles" happen, it's MS.

I wonder if they (or Nintendo) would consider Fusion for the next gen console.

 

[Kabob]

I read this yesterday on Hardforum and alot of people are saying it's not true.

Alot of those claims were based off of this line:

The consoles refresh was supposed to happen in 2010 but due to the recession both Microsoft and Sony have decided to push its plans for 2012 and keep the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 alive for more than it was originally planned.

Since when was the recession every blamed as delaying the release of the next gen consoles? I thought MS said they planned a long cycle from the beginning?

Dunno anything yet, but who knows.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: kabob983
Since when was the recession every blamed as delaying the release of the next gen consoles? I thought MS said they planned a long cycle from the beginning?

I've heard it a couple of times.

 

[Zensal]

2012 sounds about right. The life cycle of this generation of consoles was supposed to be 10 years. 2012 is 7 years which means the large publishers will probably support it for at least 3 more years.

 

[Q]

Man I can't believe there is small talk of next consoles already, doesn't seem very long ago when 360 was released.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Quintox
Man I can't believe there is small talk of next consoles already, doesn't seem very long ago when 360 was released.

2005. By all rights, we should be talking of the next 360 coming next fall if the normal 5 year life-cycle was followed.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Quintox
Man I can't believe there is small talk of next consoles already, doesn't seem very long ago when 360 was released.

2005. By all rights, we should be talking of the next 360 coming next fall if the normal 5 year life-cycle was followed.

Agreed, and IMO it is starting to show its age. Still viable, but I'm really hoping the next gen consoles render games at a 1920x1080 native with 4xAA/16xAF.

720p was fine back in 2005, but 1080p HDTVs have really dropped in price since then. Plus, with ATI introducing Eyefinity which requires its cards to perform at massively high resolutions, 1080p with some eye candy should be trivial.

 

[zerocool84]

Originally posted by: nitromullet

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: Quintox
Man I can't believe there is small talk of next consoles already, doesn't seem very long ago when 360 was released.

2005. By all rights, we should be talking of the next 360 coming next fall if the normal 5 year life-cycle was followed.

Agreed, and IMO it is starting to show its age. Still viable, but I'm really hoping the next gen consoles render games at a 1920x1080 native with 4xAA/16xAF.

720p was fine back in 2005, but 1080p HDTVs have really dropped in price since then. Plus, with ATI introducing Eyefinity which requires its cards to perform at massively high resolutions, 1080p with some eye candy should be trivial.

Yep this is a long generation. I'm not used to it. Like you said the consoles are showing their age but I can still say that no way games be rendered natively at 1920x1080 with 4xAA for the next consoles. It takes great hardware to run the latest games on a PC at that rez with AA and not get low dips when there's a lot on the screen. Since they got moved to 2012 then maybe but with technology now, no.

 

[RaiderJ]

I picked up a 360 last year and haven't made my way through all the games that have caught my eye. Totally fine if they keep it around for several more years. Might eventually pick up a PS3 if they drop the price down - consoles don't really interest me until they hit the $200 range.

 

[KlokWyze]

Originally posted by: Queasy

Originally posted by: kabob983
Since when was the recession every blamed as delaying the release of the next gen consoles? I thought MS said they planned a long cycle from the beginning?

I've heard it a couple of times.

Me too. It's no surprise considering the costs of releasing a new console and the difficulty of having a smooth launch with even a few decent games. Anything about the specs of either system? Hopefully Nintendo will release something more powerful as well... but TBH, I don't really dig a lot of their stuff anymore. I'll probably pick up a modded Wii in a few years to play everything I missed this gen. 🙂