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PSP CPU locked in firmware at 222 MHz Thread Tools
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
(03-22-2005, 04:23 PM)

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PSP CPU locked in firmware at 222 MHz #1

Credits go to version at Beyond3d.com's forums:

Quote:
*Hiroshige's Goto Weekly overseas news*
Current PSP only efficiency of 2/3 being able to show the reason which is not




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


- As for operational frequency it was not 333MHz and was 222MHz

The PSP tip/chip was operational to tell the truth with only the clock of 2/3 of the specifications. Current PSP still being able to show full performance means not to be. In addition, the OS kernel of PSP among the main memories of 32MB, had possessed the 8MB thing area. This is large to exceptional case as a OS kernel area of the game machine.


The motherboard of PSP
In the middle of March was held "GDC (Game Developers Conference)" with, the side which is not excessively known so far generally concerning PSP, made clear. SCEA (Sony Computer Entertainment America), the session which is entitled "PSP Advanced Software Overview" was done with GDC. Among those, Mark DeLoura of SCEA (Manager of Developer Relations), update and software layer of the PSP hardware specifications and the entire image of the tool were explained.

In former official announcement, as for operational frequency of the CPU core of PSP with コンフィギƒ…ラブル, it was the expectation which operates at most 333MHz. But, with GDC, as for the CPU core of PSP, as for present condition when it is restricted in 222MHz, it was explained. It means to be held down to the clock of 2/3 of the specifications exactly. In addition, also bus speed, 166MHz at the time of specifications announcement of the year before last (reverse operation) from is backing up to maximum 111MHz from zone.

"As for CPU is the range to 333MHz, but under present conditions it is locked to 222MHz. Because the bus is typically the half of CPU (the clock), it has become 111MHz. When CPU is pulled up to 333MHz, when deciding, also the bus is pulled up probably will be to 166MHz, "that DeLoura explains.

The down grade to 222MHz has suggested that in provisional specification, there is a possibility of pulling up in the future to 333MHz. In the future, moving to 65nm process and the production process after the that, perhaps at the stage where electric power consumption goes down, to 333MHz it makes improvement possible.

SCEA did not explain the reason where it is restricted to 222MHz finely. But, as recognized even from the fact that this specification modification is explained with the corner of economical electric power, as for low frequency conversion for electrical retrenchment as for being it is clear. PSP, under the present conditions of 222MHz, to use comfortably with the lithium ion battery of 1,800mAh as an operation and a game machine of 4 - 6 hours, is the last line. Because of that, above this increasing CPU frequency, increasing electric power consumption, it is presumed that it was not possible to shave battery drive time. It seems that as for actual solution with semiconductor technology of present condition, is not 333MHz and is 222MHz.


Summary of CPU core. Frequency has become 222MHz with default The graphic engine under present conditions operates with 111MHz


- The electric power consumption decrease of PSP whose hardship is many

Those where it is distinct from the frequency lock of PSP, are that also SCEI and have suffered hardship in electric power consumption decrease. Especially, in case of PSP becoming problem TDP (Thermal Design Power: It is average electric power consumption not only thermal design electric power consumption). As for average electric power consumption, because leak (a leak) electric current echoes largely, with the process which the present time refines it is very difficult to lower. With improvement such as process technology and circuit design, how much can reduce leak electric power, it is one of the future technical hurdles of PSP.

Though, when you look at the whole PSP, the fact that electric power is eaten on the other hand seems like the device other than main chip set. In the explanation with GDC, seeking and the wireless LAN of UMD drive (Wi-Fi), high brightness setting and the like of liquid crystal display, when it is the operation which consumes electric power very it was explained. Conversely, as for electricity consumption being little, you say that it is the media engine, the bus and the memory stick.

As for the media engine which includes AVC decoding because rather to hard wired it is converted, electricity consumption is little. In 2004 August HotChips conference as for average electric power consumption at the time of AVC decoding below 500mW it was explained. As for the bus, it is seen that is, because economical electrical conversion is possible by the fact that it TURNS OFF briskly.

PSP in the future economical electrical conversion of UMD drive and wireless LAN module etc. becomes necessary. In order with GDC to hold down the access to UMD, it called. In addition, economical electrical conversion of wireless LAN module, as wireless LAN corresponding title increases, probably becomes the important element.

The 222MHz lock is produces effect to also software development. For example, when at the point in time when it reaches the point where it can utilize the frequency to 333MHz, the software where the load which uses the full CPU clock is high was made, there is a possibility the case where compatibility of the current type of 222MHz becomes problem coming out. But, when you see in positive, PSP specifications means to be the margin where still it improves performance.


The largest obstacle economical electric power of PSP. As for CPU under present conditions lock to 222MHz When developing the battery emulator tool in order to optimize electric power consumption


- 8MB and enormous OS kernel area


The summary of OS of PSP
With GDC, summary was explained concerning OS of PSP. Though as for big topic, the OS kernel was occupying to possess 8MB. The fact that as for the OS kernel of the game machine several hundred KB units quite there is many a thin thing, guarantees the 8MB thing quantity is quite exceptional case. Among the main memories of 32MB of PSP, the user (ゲームデベロッパ) only 24MB it means not to be left.

The fact that kernel possession memory is large many functions is for the controlling PSP. PSP has taken the API based programming model basically, (however, the graphic register list and the like is open) for the sake of, it is presumed that library layer and ratio of the driver are large relatively. Those where amount and the software layer whose extent of abstraction of the hardware is high become thick are reason.

Various OS kernel modules and the low level driver are loaded in the 8MB space, run also the utility applet of PSP. Also the engine such as network, audio and movie playback is included in module. Saving data management and ネットワークコンフィギƒ…レーション, there is an ounce clean keyboard and various message dialogues etc. in the applet.

In other words, it was not the case that the kernel itself of PSP is the size of 8MB, it is the case that it became the result 8MB, also the space of various engines and protocol stack and the applet etc. guaranteeing. Guaranteeing the space of the applet, in the game, send the game program, is an advantage where it can change to the applet quickly.


The OS kernel guarantees 8MB as the possession area The utility which is loaded in the kernel area

As for the graphic library with 3 classes, as for LibGU OpenGL like (it is not 100% interchangeable) Class of audio library


- The main memory of PSP which originally is 8MB

Those where it is interesting at the OS kernel area of 8MB are the point where the quantity of the main memory of PSP which SCEI at the beginning has planned is 8MB. In other words, when the cover is opened, it is the case that consumes the main memory quantity of originally plan with just the OS kernel of SCEI side. When SCEI has advanced PSP with the specifications of 8MB memory of according to of original plan, the possibility of having become something whose also OS development of SCEI side is very difficult is high.

Concerning the main memory of PSP, you say that the last of the specifications of PSP at stage of the り adjusting which is done, there was a considerable friction. EDRAM (it installed from viewpoint of semiconductor production and DRAM) it was only and from the viewpoint of SCEI and the game development which we would like to hold down to 8MB the memory quantity of PS2 class opinion struck between desired ゲームデベロッパ. Finally SCEI side on ゲームデベロッパ side, listening opinion concerning the desirable memory quantity. Because the opinion of 32MB is many preponderantly, there are the details that it actualized 32MB main memory with the DDR memory of 256Mbit as an external.

Is because it made the transplantation from PS2 of 32MB memory easy and applies that ゲームデベロッパ side desired 32MB. But because the OS kernel possesses 8MB really, like PS2 which almost could use 32MB freely you cannot use memory. Though, with PS2 does not prepare as for the module, because it is there is on a OS side, the memory necessary quantity PS2 compared to decreases on デベロッパ side depending upon the software.

As for case of the memory quantity of PSP showing, the hardware design of SCEI questions, development of software architecture, it sows, being able to link it is to be the possibility without of being. If the software architect has related closely at stage of the hard design, it is presumed that probably there was no complication at the memory quantity. If the abstraction with the software is made thick, the memory quantity to be more becomes necessary.

What you can see the mismatch of the design of this hard and the software the time, is the weak point of SCEI. It has become the big difference with Microsoft where especially software architect side decides the specification of hard. Though, the device development itself which designates, the personally owned semiconductor technology of SCEI as the base is big strength. If it is not that, it is difficult to make the game machine like PSP.

- There is no region cord/code in the UMD game

With GDC concerning the profile and the file format etc. of UMD it was explained. As for UMD, under present conditions there is a profile of 3 types of PSP game and UMD Audio and UMD Video. Concerning the PSP game among these, the region cord/code is not set. But, as for audio and video, it is the possibility that it is restricted.

With GDC "VFPU (vectoring floating point arithmetic unit)" of the CPU core of PSP concerning, summary made clear. As for the CPU core of PSP with the R4000 core of MIPS32 instruction set, VFPU has belonged as an extended arithmetic unit. VFPU is designed by for vectoring and matrix operation, supports the 32bit single precision floating point format of IEEE 754. The matrix of 4x4/product-sum operation of vectoring has become 22 サイクルレイテンシ.

VFPU 128 these コンフィギƒ…ラブル has the 32bit register, also scalar operation has become possible not only vectoring and the matrix. It is seen at the time of vectoring and the matrix that the plural registers are combined. In addition, also the floating point data of 32/16/8bit integer and half size can handle. In other words, PSP being relatively powerful, stacks VFPU whose is widely used.

http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/2.../kaigai166.htm
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
(03-22-2005, 04:26 PM)

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#2























BuddyC
huuugs
(03-22-2005, 04:29 PM)

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#3

Nice to see the technicalities of this finally explained in greater detail than just "it's locked at 222 Mhz, don't really know why."
jarrod
Banned
(03-22-2005, 04:30 PM)
#4

So basically...

-CPU locked at 222MHz (rather than 333MHz)
-GPU locked at 111MHz (rather than 166MHz)
-Lower lock speeds likely due to power consumption concerns
-OS takes 8MB of RAM, leaving 24MB for game data
-All games run under current "locked" conditions (implying conditions will be "unlocked" at some point).
Panajev2001a
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(03-22-2005, 04:30 PM)

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#5

Larger capacity batteries will be released and the CPU will be unlocked to 333 MHz.

I wonder if the GPU is locked at 111 MHz: it depends if the bus speed is locked at 111 MHz or not
teepo
Junior Member
(03-22-2005, 04:33 PM)

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#6

that is a significant amount.
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
(03-22-2005, 04:33 PM)

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#7

Originally Posted by jarrod:
So basically...
-OS takes 8MB of RAM, leaving 24MB for game data

True, but some of that space the OS keeps is well used IMHO as you can read from the slides.
Slayven
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(03-22-2005, 04:34 PM)

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#8

The PSP is like any good anime martial artist it trains with wieghts., once it starts unlocking the gates shit will go down
quadriplegicjon
dreams superior dreams
(03-22-2005, 04:35 PM)

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#9

Originally Posted by Panajev2001a:
Larger capacity batteries will be released and the CPU will be unlocked to 333 MHz.

I wonder if the GPU is locked at 111 MHz: it depends if the bus speed is locked at 111 MHz or not


so does that mean that you will only be able to play certain games on the psp with new extended battery ??

:( im not liking this idea.
BuddyC
huuugs
(03-22-2005, 04:36 PM)

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#10

Gonna be a nice little performance boost for that generation when everything is unlocked in a few years.

There aren't going to be any compatibility problems quad, it's just that older games won't run any faster or receive a performance boost from unlocking the processor.
The End
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(03-22-2005, 04:36 PM)

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#11

Originally Posted by Panajev2001a:
Larger capacity batteries will be released and the CPU will be unlocked to 333 MHz.

I wonder if the GPU is locked at 111 MHz: it depends if the bus speed is locked at 111 MHz or not

I'm getting N64 flashbacks here. I'm hoping that all it will take is a higher-capacity battery to unlock. I'm going to be pissed if they start shipping games that'll run in "high detail" or with better framerates on later, die-shrunk PSPs.
mashoutposse
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(03-22-2005, 04:36 PM)

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#12

I can't wait to see what 'full potential' games look like...
Elios83
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:36 PM)
#13

Originally Posted by Panajev2001a:
Larger capacity batteries will be released and the CPU will be unlocked to 333 MHz.

I wonder if the GPU is locked at 111 MHz: it depends if the bus speed is locked at 111 MHz or not

And million of early adopters totally fucked can:
1)Throw their PSP away
2)Update firmware,buy new battery to play new games.

I don't think this will be the case.
If 222MHZ is hardware locked in the current PSPs I think it's more probable that will be the new top working frequency.So basically there has been a downgrade since the original specs.
Which isn't so horrible considering that Ridge Racer and Wipeout Pure are running on the current PSP.
Panajev2001a
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(03-22-2005, 04:38 PM)

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#14

Originally Posted by The End:
I'm getting N64 flashbacks here. I'm hoping that all it will take is a higher-capacity battery to unlock. I'm going to be pissed if they start shipping games that'll run in "high detail" or with better framerates on later, die-shrunk PSPs.

It is not a hardware lock, but a firmware lock... crack the firmware and select the higher speed ;).

I think the bus speed is limited to 111 MHz so that means the GPU is limited to 111 MHz too.

The CPU can run at 333 MHz once the firmware is upgraded accordingly: the clock-speed is software selectable.
BuddyC
huuugs
(03-22-2005, 04:38 PM)

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#15

Originally Posted by Elios83:
And million of early adopters totally fucked can:
1)Throw their PSP away
2)Update firmware,buy new battery to play new games.

I don't think this will be the case.
If 222MHZ is hardware locked in the current PSPs I think it's more probable that will be the new top working frequency.So basically there has been a downgrade since the original specs.
Yup, dead on my friend. They're just throwing a 333 Mhz processor in there for kicks. You'll still be able to play unlocked games with the current battery, they'll just drain it faster.
Slayven
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(03-22-2005, 04:38 PM)

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#16

while we are on the future of the psp...anyone think they might be able to expand the storage on umds? are umd's dual layered?
Shompola
Banned
(03-22-2005, 04:38 PM)

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#17

sounds more like when the new battery is released. a few games can utilize the firmware and unlock the 33mhz thing or you do it with some firmware software that sony sends you. in the end it means that your old battery will drain faster than ever.
mashoutposse
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(03-22-2005, 04:39 PM)

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#18

Originally Posted by quadriplegicjon:
so does that mean that you will only be able to play certain games on the psp with new extended battery ??

:( im not liking this idea.

???

It means that your battery life will not hit advertised specifications when running games from that generation and beyond. Expect 2-2.5 hours of gameplay for unlocked games on the standard capacity bettery.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:40 PM)
#19

The speed of the system is not dependent on the battery even though it was locked for battery reasons. The CPU is scalable and will be at the developers discretion. The system is also smart enough to know when to throttle down or even shut off parts of the system that are not in use to conserve battery life. So when they open up the scalability to the developers, you will still be able to play games on your first gen psp with your first gen battery; it just won't last as long as maybe a newer battery.
Panajev2001a
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(03-22-2005, 04:40 PM)

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#20

Originally Posted by Elios83:
And million of early adopters totally fucked can:
1)Throw their PSP away
2)Update firmware,buy new battery to play new games.

I don't think this will be the case.
If 222MHZ is hardware locked in the current PSPs I think it's more probable that will be the new top working frequency.So basically there has been a downgrade since the original specs.

The processor is binned for 333 MHz operation (clock speed is software selectable) and they mention this: what has been downgraded were the GPU and the bus speed.

The GPU would present more problems to be clocked higher now as it has e-DRAM.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:41 PM)
#21

Originally Posted by Panajev2001a:
It is not a hardware lock, but a firmware lock... crack the firmware and select the higher speed ;).

I think the bus speed is limited to 111 MHz so that means the GPU is limited to 111 MHz too.

The CPU can run at 333 MHz once the firmware is upgraded accordingly: the clock-speed is software selectable.

No, the PSP dev lecture said that you could throttle the GPU up to 166.
mashoutposse
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(03-22-2005, 04:42 PM)

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#22

Originally Posted by Elios83:
And million of early adopters totally fucked can:
1)Throw their PSP away
2)Update firmware,buy new battery to play new games.

I don't think this will be the case.
If 222MHZ is hardware locked in the current PSPs I think it's more probable that will be the new top working frequency.So basically there has been a downgrade since the original specs.
Which isn't so horrible considering that Ridge Racer and Wipeout Pure are running on the current PSP.

Why would you ever have to throw away your early revision PSP?

The only relevant "step" is your #2, and buying a new battery isn't even compulsory.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:42 PM)
#23

Also not sure if I should mention this, but I've heard that in the future, Sony will free up about 4 megs of that 8 megs of restricted OS memory.
Panajev2001a
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(03-22-2005, 04:43 PM)

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#24

Originally Posted by Marty Chinn:
The speed of the system is not dependent on the battery even though it was locked for battery reasons.

I think Sony/SCE will feel more comfortable enabling the 333 MHz clock-speed setting (raising the bar from 222 MHz) when a new battery comes out and it should not take too long IMHO.
Shompola
Banned
(03-22-2005, 04:43 PM)

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#25

Originally Posted by Marty Chinn:
The speed of the system is not dependent on the battery even though it was locked for battery reasons. The CPU is scalable and will be at the developers discretion. The system is also smart enough to know when to throttle down or even shut off parts of the system that are not in use to conserve battery life. So when they open up the scalability to the developers, you will still be able to play games on your first gen psp with your first gen battery; it just won't last as long as maybe a newer battery.

So older games will run the cpu at 222mhz even though the firmware is upgraded? sounds neat.
Elios83
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:44 PM)
#26

Originally Posted by BuddyC:
Yup, dead on my friend. They're just throwing a 333 Mhz processor in there for kicks. You'll still be able to play unlocked games with the current battery, they'll just drain it faster.

Of course but that would cause a chaotic situation,I really don't expect the average joe to tweak with firmwares and clock frequency.
This move will be perceived by the media and the general publica as:Sony has fucked us.
Plain and simple.With all the negative return in terms of image.Nintendo is just waiting for something dumb like this to happen.
So I doubt it will happen,222MHZ is the new working frequency.Why should they speed it up when you're already kicking competition's ass with the current hardware.


PS:I'm european and I don't own a PSP,so I'm not an angry early adopter,but I realize how dumb this move could be.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:45 PM)
#27

Even now they were talking about how a puzzle game wouldn't need as much CPU power as say GTA, so you'll get longer battery life out of that with the CPU scaled down under the 222 mhz speed.

Heh I mean to write something up on this since I was at that lecture at GDC, but I got tied up with work and didn't have time. Does that article mention how broken the PSP hardware is? It's amazing how good the software looks and plays given some of the stuff I've heard =)
Panajev2001a
GAF's Pleasant Genius
(03-22-2005, 04:46 PM)

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#28

Originally Posted by Marty Chinn:
Also not sure if I should mention this, but I've heard that in the future, Sony will free up about 4 megs of that 8 megs of restricted OS memory.

Good.

About the GPU:





The bus speed's peak is 111 MHz and the GPU's is locked at the bus speed.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:47 PM)
#29

To be honest, I don't think its firmware at all. I think its pure dev kit related and will be invisible to the user. In the dev kit is a value you can set for the cpu speed but it currently does nothing.
BuddyC
huuugs
(03-22-2005, 04:47 PM)

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#30

Originally Posted by Elios83:
Of course but that would cause a chaotic situation,I really don't expect the average joe to tweak with firmwares and clock frequency.
The firmware update could be easily included with any games that require it. Have the game check for the update, and if a current or later version is not installed, say "Hey, I need to do a System Update before you can play me, hold on a second please."

I really fail to see the whole doom and gloom that you're trying to paint here, especially with the ease of system updates. Gotta be pretty dumb not to think that in the coming years Sony won't allow developers to make games that take full advantage of the system, especially in the face of competing handhelds.

You can spin it as a conspiracy theory to fuck over Nintendo's next handheld if you'd like, but any way you slice it, Sony would have to be pretty dense to not unlock the system's full potential in 2-3 years. "Think you've seen it all? Think again."

Last edited by BuddyC : 03-22-2005 at 04:50 PM.
Marty Chinn
Member
(03-22-2005, 04:48 PM)
#31

Originally Posted by Panajev2001a:
Good.

About the GPU:





The bus speed's peak is 111 MHz and the GPU's is locked at the bus speed.

Actually there's a typo there which is unfortunate cuz if you look at the pics you wouldn't realize that. The typo was pointed out at the lecture.
jarrod
Banned
(03-22-2005, 04:59 PM)
#32

Originally Posted by mashoutposse:
I can't wait to see what 'full potential' games look like...
Better than Dreamcast, worse than PS2. :P


Originally Posted by Slayven:
while we are on the future of the psp...anyone think they might be able to expand the storage on umds? are umd's dual layered?
UMDs are dual layered at 1.8GB. There's no real need to expand storage though, it's simple enough to just have multidisc games as needed.
ourumov
Member
(03-22-2005, 05:04 PM)

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#33

As Panajev claims they'll probably unlock it when new batteries appear...Kinda curious though.
mashoutposse
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(03-22-2005, 05:07 PM)

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#34

Originally Posted by jarrod:
Better than Dreamcast, worse than PS2. :P

Probably, but I'd expect a 50% boost in CPU and GPU frequencies to yield a very obvious graphics upgrade... And this is on top of the normal steady increase in visual quality that occurs as developers become more acclimated to the hardware.
Defensor
Mistaken iRobbery!
(03-22-2005, 05:12 PM)

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#35

Panev, do you think the PSP's UMD transfer speed of 11mbps is too slow? Causing the long load times in games like Darkstalkers? Or do you believe it was poor development when a company like Namco can get near zero to 1sec loading for a game like Tales of Eternia?
Lord Error
Sane for Sony
(03-22-2005, 05:12 PM)
#36

What I don't undetstand is - can the developer upload *anything* to that 8MB of reserved memory? One of the slides implied that they could put low level libraries and drivers there - or is all that already there?
Elios83
Member
(03-22-2005, 05:14 PM)
#37

Originally Posted by BuddyC:
The firmware update could be easily included with any games that require it. Have the game check for the update, and if a current or later version is not installed, say "Hey, I need to do a System Update before you can play me, hold on a second please."

I really fail to see the whole doom and gloom that you're trying to paint here, especially with the ease of system updates. Gotta be pretty dumb not to think that in the coming years Sony won't allow developers to make games that take full advantage of the system, especially in the face of competing handhelds.

You can spin it as a conspiracy theory to fuck over Nintendo's next handheld if you'd like, but any way you slice it, Sony would have to be pretty dense to not unlock the system's full potential in 2-3 years. "Think you've seen it all? Think again."

It would be interesting to know the reaction of the million of people that are going to buy PSP in a matter of days in USA.What would they do if they knew that they're buying an early revision of the hardware with the operative frequency locked down because of the battery while the final product will come out when they have 65n.Even if in future they can upgrade the firmware easily (and go buying a new battery if they don't want their new games to run for 1h and half) I fail to see how this is good for Sony and for the product's image and I don't know if these people would still buy it at launch.
When this story will be widely spread through magazines and will go outside GA-B3D, Sony,after all the complaints about faulty PSP hardware,will have a lot of PR damage control to do you can bet on it.

Last edited by Elios83 : 03-22-2005 at 05:17 PM.
xexex
Banned
(03-22-2005, 05:16 PM)

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#38

ok so the PSP CPU can operate at 333 MHz later when the firmware is unlocked, but are the bus and GPU speeds limited to 111 MHz always, or will they too be unlocked to their original stated speeds of 166 MHz?

assuming yes to all (plus the free-ing up of 4 MB) should provide PSP developers with a nice 'upgrade' for future generations of PSP games :)


anyway, im even more glad that i am waiting for a newer PSP revision to come out. 65nm, better battery, no butten issues, better games, lower price. win win

Last edited by xexex : 03-22-2005 at 05:22 PM.
Fafalada
He's a game dev, a programmer, and far smarter than you.
(03-22-2005, 05:18 PM)

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#39

Pana, just to let you know - there's no firmware lock that I'm aware off.
Bus and CPU Mhz is controlled completely in software(I can in fact, change clock speed every frame if I should choose to). The lockouts which SCE decides upon, are purely library based.

Originally Posted by Marty:
In the dev kit is a value you can set for the cpu speed but it currently does nothing.
Actually the functions DO work, their range is just limited to whatever SCE specifies. The whole point of Mhz control is that I can arbitrarily adjust the speed of the system according to the needs of the application.
Ie. perhaps my Menus can run with CPU set to 1Mhz - so why run it at 200 at that time.

Quote:
What I don't undetstand is - can the developer upload *anything* to that 8MB of reserved memory? One of the slides implied that they could put low level libraries and drivers there - or is all that already there?
Reserved means "reserved". From the point of view of developer, that memory does not exist. The idea is to have lots of utility stuff in there, which is why the kernel is 8MB instead of something smaller.
Lord Error
Sane for Sony
(03-22-2005, 05:18 PM)
#40

Elios, regular updates of handheld devices are the staplemark of that industry branch. PDA makers do it not only through hardware revisions but through firmware updates too, Nintendo does it with various hardware revisions too.

People are buying PSPs not because on how many MHz it's CPU runs or will run in the future, but because it has games they want to play and because of it's other features.
BuddyC
huuugs
(03-22-2005, 05:19 PM)

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#41

Originally Posted by Elios83:
It would be interesting to know the reaction of the million of people that are going to buy PSP in a matter of days in USA.What would they do if they knew that they're buying an early revision of the hardware with the operative frequency locked down because of the battery while the final product will come out when they have 65n.Even if in future they can upgrade the firmware easily (and go buying a new battery if they don't want their new games to run for 1h and half) I fail to see how this is good for Sony and for the product's image and I don't know if these people would still buy it at launch.
When this story will be widely spread through magazines and will go outside GA-B3D, Sony,after all the complaints about faulty PSP hardware,will have a lot of PR damage control to do you can bet on it.
It's pretty clear where I stand, and you've made your stance pretty clear, so there's not much more we can do than simply wait.

But if you think that the "upgrade" that generation of PSP titles receive when this thing hits is going to be seen as a bad thing, well, you're a very silly person. I think a shorter battery life at launch would have more far-reaching negative connotations.

Last edited by BuddyC : 03-22-2005 at 05:23 PM.
jarrod
Banned
(03-22-2005, 05:28 PM)
#42

Originally Posted by mashoutposse:
Probably, but I'd expect a 50% boost in CPU and GPU frequencies to yield a very obvious graphics upgrade... And this is on top of the normal steady increase in visual quality that occurs as developers become more acclimated to the hardware.
I dunno, it's still rather limited by RAM. Marty's rumor about freeing up another 4MB would probably help things quite a bit.

And with handhelds there's far less of an "acclimation" period given you're really dealing with "old" level technology and developers can use already well established techniques. Yes there a learning curve, but not nearly like you'd see on any console.
Mashing
Member
(03-22-2005, 05:29 PM)

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#43

Lovely, just lovely.

I am not amused Sony
Fafalada
He's a game dev, a programmer, and far smarter than you.
(03-22-2005, 05:32 PM)

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#44

Quote:
When this story will be widely spread through magazines and will go outside GA-B3D, Sony,after all the complaints about faulty PSP hardware,will have a lot of PR damage control to do you can bet on it.
What bad PR?
The machine has software controlled operating frequencies. The existing titles either run at the 222mhz default or lower - it's completely a software thing.

If I make a Tetris game for PSP and ship it with 1Mhz operating frequency, will people go complain to Sony as well because hardware runs so much below spec in that game?
Squeak
Member
(03-22-2005, 05:33 PM)

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#45

Quote:
Wasn't the fillrate in the threehundreds before? Now all of a sudden after the down grade it's up to 444Mpix?!
tedtropy
$50/hour, but no kissing on the lips and colors must be pre-separated
(03-22-2005, 05:35 PM)

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#46

I eagerly await the inevitable 'Overclock Your PSP' guide and the many fried PSPs that will accompany it.

Seriously though, how much do thermal concerns factor in when the top-end of the system is unlocked? Does the PSP ever manage to get warm externally while playing games? I've only had the chance to play Ridge Racer abit and didn't notice any heat at all.
xexex
Banned
(03-22-2005, 05:42 PM)

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#47

Originally Posted by Squeak:
Wasn't the fillrate in the threehundreds before? Now all of a sudden after the down grade it's up to 444Mpix?!


original PSP fillrate was 664 Mpixels. that *might* have been just raw untextured, unfiltered fillrate. like PS2's 2400 Mpixels. so 2/3 of 664 Mpixels, from the GPU clockspeed being 111 MHz, would be about 444 Mpixels.

the three hundred million number for PSP fillrate, 332 Mpixels, that *might* be the textured and filtered fillrate


so, the 444 Mpixel fillrate is of course, 2/3 of PSP's original max (untextured?) fillrate, due to the clockspeed of the GPU being 111 MHz.

(4 pixel pipelines @ 111 MHz = 444 Mpixel fillrate)

(4 pixel pipelines @ 166 MHz = 664 Mpixel fillrate)

(4 pixel pipelines @ 166 MHz if textured, filtered pixels take another clockcycle = 332 Mpixels)

(4 pixel pipelines @ 111 MHz if textured, filtered pixels take another clockcycle = 222 Mpixels )

Last edited by xexex : 03-22-2005 at 05:52 PM.
blackadde
Member
(03-22-2005, 05:43 PM)
#48

Shouldn't there be some heat concerns when they crank up the frequency by about 50%?
Fafalada
He's a game dev, a programmer, and far smarter than you.
(03-22-2005, 05:44 PM)

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#49

Quote:
I eagerly await the inevitable 'Overclock Your PSP' guide
As I said - it's software controlled clockspeed, so even if you write an application that overclocks the machine, any other application that sets it's own clockspeed will override your overclock.

Basically any kind of overclocking would be a waste of time, unless done on hardware level.

xexex, PSP texturing and trilinear filtering are free(barring any bandwith concerns) unlike the PS2.
Lord Error
Sane for Sony
(03-22-2005, 05:45 PM)
#50

Quote:
Does the PSP ever manage to get warm externally while playing games? I've only had the chance to play Ridge Racer abit and didn't notice any heat at all.
Same here. I've played RR, NFSU and Lumines in stretches that would drain the fully charged battery, and I've never noticed PSP getting even slightly warm.
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