Because Nvidia screwed them over.
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Xbox World Rumor: Xbox 720 Devkit Specs Detailed, Includes 16-Core Processor
- Thread starter Globox_82
- Start date
Because Nvidia screwed them over.
Well, to be fair, it's plausible insofar that early dev kits are usually if not always notably more powerful than the final retail unit. I recall reading that initial PS3 dev kits had a GPU configuration akin to SLI'd 6800s, for instance.
It's interesting to hear their comments about GDC, since we were hearing that no one knew anything about the PS4. To the point where there was concern.
As for the processor thing, the story in January was that IBM had manufactured thousands of processors for next-gen Xbox devkits. That isn't new information, this is just corroboration.
As for the processor thing, the story in January was that IBM had manufactured thousands of processors for next-gen Xbox devkits. That isn't new information, this is just corroboration.
eso76
Member
Durango can be phonetically spelled as "Do-rango". I think you're on to something!
Well, in the movie Rango comes up with that name when he reads "Durango" on the label of one of the bottles in the saloon..
and yeah, also "Do Rango !"
MarkMclovin
Member
D
Deleted member 80556
Unconfirmed Member
16 cores? Oh man, that Samaritan demo will looks like child's play compared to the possible games that come out from there. But it sounds fishy. Are we sure that instead of 16 cores, we're talking about SPU's?
I am starting to think that Sony and Microsoft are releasing these rumors to prevent us from getting the real facts.
I am starting to think that Sony and Microsoft are releasing these rumors to prevent us from getting the real facts.
CONSPIRACY.
Could you elaborate?
In any case, HUGE contracts for ATI here. Whatever happens in the PC realm, having these next gen consoles armed with ATI GPU's is going to be a humongous earner for AMD.
That slipped my mind; I haven't seen it since the theatrical release.
Won't get screwed in the arse (again).
Agent Ironside
Member
Legit.
NO. Thats ridiculous.
NO. Thats ridiculous.
QuaSLI.
I think the rumors are some sort of secret war trying to force the other party to respond in panic to what is otherwise a lie. We are the civilian casualties.
Interesting point but still doubtful that the console will come with such power.
blahblah...blah
Member
The oddest bit to me is this Crytek employee apparently Tweeting that he was at a "Durango conference". Seems like something the NDAs would forbid, i.e. it's bullshit.
EDIT: And a quick Google tells me I was wrong, someone did actually Tweet this. Odd.
EDIT: And a quick Google tells me I was wrong, someone did actually Tweet this. Odd.
Why not 128 cores? We have the technology
My tennis partner's cousin worked there and he would spill things all the time :lol
Takamura-San
Member
Yep.
I'm still waiting for PC-Gaf to post and shit on these specs as barely comparable to current PCs.
bigtroyjon
Member
not bullshit at all, story started on GAF
I don't think 16 cores is too outlandish. There are affordable 8-core desktop CPUs right now. The SPUs in PS3's cell processor aren't comparable to conventional x86 cores, but in a technical sense Cell could be considered an 8-core cpu.
These are the times we live in. The reason there's such a disconnect is that general-purpose computing tasks no longer drive a CPU to its limit. On the other hand, the popularity of mobile devices are forcing all hardware designers to shrink as much power as possible into a small, low watt chip. That trend has direct benefits on the development of high-end cpus too.
So yeah, bring on the 16-core. And if Sony is going to top it, we're in for an exciting next-generation.
These are the times we live in. The reason there's such a disconnect is that general-purpose computing tasks no longer drive a CPU to its limit. On the other hand, the popularity of mobile devices are forcing all hardware designers to shrink as much power as possible into a small, low watt chip. That trend has direct benefits on the development of high-end cpus too.
So yeah, bring on the 16-core. And if Sony is going to top it, we're in for an exciting next-generation.
ShinobiFist
Banned
Bingo!
Auto_aim1
MeisaMcCaffrey
It's going to be on the market for a long time so they have to take some losses initially, but I don't think it's going to be absurdly expensive like the launch PS3 was. Most people should be expecting a $350-$450 price point for both MS and Sony's consoles.
Exterminieren
Banned
Please tell me people aren't believing this.
Please.
Please.
I have hard time believing that both MS and Sony don't have spies of their own that tell them what is going on behind closed doors. I mean so many people are involved in a project that takes years, impossible not to have a mole.
So these rumors are probably more about magazines, sites getting hits. Not saying that there isn't some true to them, but 90% is probably nonsense. Or maybe rumors are spread so that big guys see out reactions.
Live Free or Die
Banned
$599
Not necessary, as these specs do a pretty good job of shitting on themselves.
Nvidia ensured Microsoft wouldn't make a profit off the original Xbox due to them not selling Microsoft the chip design patent or something. I'm sure someone else is much more knowledgeable on the subject.
And with Sony?
A bespoke 7777.
Sony did a sterling job itself of ensuring the PS3 wouldn't turn a profit. /rimshot
Xbox was a financial clusterfuck for MS because their hardware partners weren't interested in revisions, lowering costs accordingly, etc.
Basically, MS was stuck. So they gave a big fuck you to Nvidia and Intel.
In 2005, the high end PC CPU was dual core. MS put out a 3-core cpu in xbox360, and a year later Sony put out a cpu with 1 conventional core and 7 custom co-processors.
16-cores in Q4 of next year is not unbelievable when 8-core cpus are priced for mainstream PCs today.
16-cores in Q4 of next year is not unbelievable when 8-core cpus are priced for mainstream PCs today.
Don't you know. The engineer's behind these systems live in sheltered underground facilities and are isolated from the world ala Manhattan project. This is serious shit, the only mole around would be a literal one... deep under ground. Man I could right a fan-fic based on the consoles wars.. and It would be terrible
No, that's Nintendo's surprise. ;-)
Rebel Leader
THE POWER OF BUTTERSCOTCH BOTTOMS
What about the RAM & GPU? It won't matter how many cores you have. If you don't have a good amount of RAM and a good GPU.
Phonomezer
Banned
That would have an even more detrimental effect.
GarthVaderUK
Banned
Good idea! What have we heard so far for the Nextbox? Off the top of my head:
16 core CPU
8 core CPU
6 core CPU
2 7000 series GPUs
1 7000 series GPU
1 6000 series GPU
4GB RAM
2GB RAM
Blu-Ray disc drive
No disc drive
Internet connection required
Internet connection not required
Regular controller
Tablet controller
Kinect built in
Kinect bundled in
Anything else?
History repeats itself...
Woo-Fu
Banned
What specs? The only thing spec-worthy in the article is number of cores, which is meaningless in terms of overall horsepower. The only thing that means is more threads in comparison to a machine with fewer cores, more threads which will require more work from the developers to take advantage of.
You still have to fit into the same power/heat footprint which means you're not going to get 16 cores each as fast as the cores in a machine with fewer cores sitting in the same footprint.
It is why I made the pizza joke. More threads/slices aren't always useful.
As far as "beating" the PC those days ended when they started using PC hardware in the consoles.