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Wii U Speculation Thread of Brains Beware: Wii U Re-Unveiling At E3 2012

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As you have probably already figured, USB3 won't happen. I'll be happy if there are more than 2 USB 2.0 ports.

Nintendo said 4 USB 2.0 ports at E3. I just want them to convert one of them.

I think you're being too optimistic here. The original IBM press release mentions "energy saving", which would completely disclude it from a stock Power7 chip. That much is obvious. One that is customized to hell and back to reduce its footprint? Maybe. But then 1.5GB of memory? I'd put money on 1GB being in the main pool. There may be some side pool with 88mb or 128mb or something, of a different kind of memory than the main pool, but I'd still place my bets closer to 1GB than 1.5 or 2.

You haven't read my posts then if you are referring to a stock POWER7. I expect them to take three POWER7 cores, modify them, and build a chip from the ground up like Xenon.

And while I don't gamble, I would bet that it does end up at 1.5GB (definitely won't be 2GB). And the side pool is 32MB.



I really don't think that's going to happen. If the consoles release in 2013, they'll have 4 GB. Your phone will have 4 GB in 2013, too.

If the densities don't change in the next year, then expect 2GB. Phones for the most part use a low-power form of DDR2 memory.

Also, how would 1.5 GB work in a console? 192-bit bus and more complex chips? Seperate buses? Differentiated memory like the PS3? I thought we were pretty sure the large pool was unified? Why use 6x 4 Gbit chips to fill up the motherboard when you can use 4x 8 Gbit chips as well, which is cheaper in the long run? I don't see how 1.5 GB makes sense.

Either 192-bit or 96-bit like brain_stew mentioned before. I don't know how fast they would clock it, but if they went with the latter bus and 900Mhz memory, the BW would be 43.2GB/s according to how it's calculated for Radeon cards. And your numbers are off if you are referring to Wii U. You've just proposed 3GB and 4GB respectively. GDDR3/5 are currently at 2Gbit and 6 of them would be 1.5GB. And the only time I saw something with an 8Gbit density was stacked DDR3.
 
I'm not sure anyone would be able to tell if my bro stole my account and tried to get it banned.

I doubt he could come up with worse than I do on a daily basis.
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
Nintendo said 4 USB 2.0 ports at E3. I just want them to convert one of them.
eSATA or bust.

On a more serious note, my expectations re RAM are basically: 2GB if DDR3, less otherwise.
 

DCKing

Member
Nintendo said 4 USB 2.0 ports at E3. I just want them to convert one of them.
I really hope they do. USB 3.0 should be fine.
If the densities don't change in the next year, then expect 2GB. Phones for the most part use a low-power form of DDR2 memory.
Phones will get DDR3 tech already, but that's not the point. Even if densities won't increase (which they will, 22nm memory chips will be mainstream in 2013), then the next Xbox and PS will probably have less constraints when it comes to motherboard complexity.
And the only time I saw something with an 8Gbit density was stacked DDR3.
Whoops, meant to say 2Gbit/4Gbit. 4x4 Gbit DDR3 is definitely a possibility in the Wii U. The chips are available to day, but it'll cost them some more money.
 

wsippel

Banned
Whoops, meant to say 2Gbit/4Gbit. 4x4 Gbit DDR3 is definitely a possibility in the Wii U. The chips are available to day, but it'll cost them some more money.
It really depends on the memory controller Nintendo decides to use. They certainly could use POWER7 memory controllers, which are quad channel (4 x 4Gbit). My money is on triple channel, as that seems to offer a nice balance between PCB complexity and available bandwidth.
 

DCKing

Member
It really depends on the memory controller Nintendo decides to use. They certainly could use POWER7 memory controllers, which are quad channel (4 x 4Gbit). My money is on triple channel, as that seems to offer a nice balance between PCB complexity and available bandwidth.
What do you mean? The number of channels does not have to correspond directly to the number of memory chips (e.g. original 360 had 8 chips on a 128-bit bus). I think the Wii U will use 4 memory chips, likely 2 Gbit but hopefully 4 Gbit each, on a 128-bit bus. Any more would require complex designs for every chip attached on that bus, most notably CPU and GPU. Triple channel (192 bit) wouldn't be impossible I guess. But if they do it to allow for more memory it would be a better investment to go for higher density chips and keep the design simple. If they do it for bandwidth it would be cheaper to simply clock the memory higher.

The only reason why I stated 6 (or 3, for that matter) memory chips would imply weird bus width is because you can't distribute a 128-bit bus over six chips in a normal way, so they'd have to go for a rather unusual 96-bits bus, or a more complex 192-bit bus.
 

BurntPork

Banned
I don't know why, but I really don't think we'll get 1.5GB and I'm 100% sure that we won't get 2GB. Is 1.25GB possible? If not, then it's best to expect 1GB.
 

DCKing

Member
I don't know why, but I really don't think we'll get 1.5GB and I'm 100% sure that we won't get 2GB. Is 1.25GB possible? If not, then it's best to expect 1GB.
I don't think 2 GB is ruled out. Nintendo making the call to use higher density chips is about the least invasive design decision they can make, and they could still do it the coming months. Every piece of software will run as normal, and they don't have to change a single part of the motherboard design. It's not very likely considering the price, but if it's panic mode Nintendo, who knows.

Any other 1+ GB configuration that doesn't use a weird bus width is a non-unified one. So that means two memory pools, likely of different memory type. If it is slightly over 1 GB that implies some small amount of fast RAM, like eDRAM or 1T-SRAM. Made on modern processes, the Wii U can house >300MB of 1T-SRAM for chips the size used in the GameCube. So 192 or 256 MB of 1T-SRAM would definitely be possible.
 

wsippel

Banned
What do you mean? The number of channels does not have to correspond directly to the number of memory chips (e.g. original 360 had 8 chips on a 128-bit bus).
It doesn't have to, but it usually does. The number of chips is usually a multiple of the number of 64bit channels (like in your 360 example: four chips per 64bit channel).
 

LeleSocho

Banned
Can someone be kind and explain me what are the differences i should see on the screen when the same game game runs on the same hardware with the only difference of the type of RAM but with the same amount? Something like 1GB DDR3 vs 1GB GDDR3 or GDDR3 vs GDDR5
slow loading textures? pop in?
 
Can someone be kind and explain me what are the differences i should see on the screen when the same game game runs on the same hardware with the only difference of the type of RAM but with the same amount? Something like 1GB DDR3 vs 1GB GDDR3 or GDDR3 vs GDDR5
slow loading textures? pop in?

Better RAM allows for more data to be loaded faster.
So yeah, textures and models will load faster on faster RAM.

You can make up for this, in a sense, by having lots of shit RAM (like cell phones), but it's really not ideal for gaming.
 
Sigh.

I'll translate better, we know very little, what we do know suggests a hardware anywhere from only on par with PS360, to something perhaps 30-50% faster. Anything else is wild speculation or wishful thinking.

Nothing we know suggests this...
We know it has at least double the ram RAM.
We know it has a better CPU with maybe double to triple the EDRAM.
We know it has a GPU that is generations better than the PS3/360.

What do we know that suggests it's "only on par"?
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
Sigh.

I'll translate better, we know very little, what we do know suggests a hardware anywhere from only on par with PS360, to something perhaps 30-50% faster. Anything else is wild speculation or wishful thinking.
That's news to me. Care to elaborate?
 

LeleSocho

Banned
Better RAM allows for more data to be loaded faster.
So yeah, textures and models will load faster on faster RAM.

You can make up for this, in a sense, by having lots of shit RAM (like cell phones), but it's really not ideal for gaming.

But shouldn't more quantity allow me to put more models at the same time so pop in can be avoided?
 

BurntPork

Banned
Sigh.

I'll translate better, we know very little, what we do know suggests a hardware anywhere from only on par with PS360, to something perhaps 30-50% faster. Anything else is wild speculation or wishful thinking.

If by "what we do know" you mean "what is assumed 'because it's Nintendo'", then sure. Otherwise, that also falls into the "wild speculation" department because there's no more supporting it being that weak than there is supporting the 2-5x current-gen speculation.
 
I think we'll get about 1.5 GB of GDDR5. That's what? 6 chips? Assuming the density of those are doubled in the future, Nintendo cut costs by sticking in 3 512 MB chips in future revisions.

Someone correct me if I'm totally wrong on the densities and whatnot...
 
^ Sounds good to me.

eSATA or bust.

On a more serious note, my expectations re RAM are basically: 2GB if DDR3, less otherwise.

Don't be greedy. :p

I'm sticking with 1.5GB of GDDR5. I don't think 2GB was in that range or memory.

I say 1.5GB DDR3 (triple channel, 3 x 512MB). And considering Nintendo loves clean multipliers, I say 3.6GHz CPU, 1.8GHz RAM.

600Mhz GPU... or 900Mhz?
TrollFace%252528small%252529.png


I really hope they do. USB 3.0 should be fine.

Phones will get DDR3 tech already, but that's not the point. Even if densities won't increase (which they will, 22nm memory chips will be mainstream in 2013), then the next Xbox and PS will probably have less constraints when it comes to motherboard complexity.
Whoops, meant to say 2Gbit/4Gbit. 4x4 Gbit DDR3 is definitely a possibility in the Wii U. The chips are available to day, but it'll cost them some more money.

I figured you meant a smaller density. But all I'm saying is that if density max doesn't increase, then we won't see more than 2GB. Not whether a change is probable or not.

We should rename this thread Wii U Techulation, im bloody lost in jargon in here!

Thread title change was appropriate. :)
 

blu

Wants the largest console games publisher to avoid Nintendo's platforms.
What do you mean? The number of channels does not have to correspond directly to the number of memory chips (e.g. original 360 had 8 chips on a 128-bit bus). I think the Wii U will use 4 memory chips, likely 2 Gbit but hopefully 4 Gbit each, on a 128-bit bus. Any more would require complex designs for every chip attached on that bus, most notably CPU and GPU. Triple channel (192 bit) wouldn't be impossible I guess. But if they do it to allow for more memory it would be a better investment to go for higher density chips and keep the design simple. If they do it for bandwidth it would be cheaper to simply clock the memory higher.
You should keep in mind the most common IO width per DDR3 chip is 16bit. So a 128bit bus would allow 8 chips, x 4Gb each = 4GB (could be pricey), or the more realistic 8x 2Gb = 2GB. Yet, I believe the sweet spot might be at 4x 4Gb on a 64bit bus, amounting to the same 2GB, but with a much simplified bus design (DDR3 chips also come in a more compact packaging). So at, say, 1.2GHz IO you'd get 1.2G x8 (bus width) x2 (transfers/clock) = 19GB/s - perhaps a tad low but still acceptable for main RAM. If we reverted to the wider 128bit bus config keeping the volume (i.e. 8x 2Gb config), that BW immediately would double to 38GB/s, of course. Which would be perfectly fine for UMA, given the GPU's fb is absolutely independent of that.
 
Nothing we know suggests this...
We know it has at least double the ram RAM.
We know it has a better CPU with maybe double to triple the EDRAM.
We know it has a GPU that is generations better than the PS3/360.

What do we know that suggests it's "only on par"?

On a related note, how much did RAM hindered games on the PS3/360? I am surprised on how much developers has been able to pull of with 512MB by current standards. Assuming that Nintendo will have good RAM in the Wii U, doubling the RAM amount alone will make a major difference, correct?
 
Nothing we know suggests this...
We know it has at least double the ram RAM.
We know it has a better CPU with maybe double to triple the EDRAM.
We know it has a GPU that is generations better than the PS3/360.

What do we know that suggests it's "only on par"?
Everything suggests it's only a minor upgrade, perhaps only as powerful as every previous Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft console added together.
 

DCKing

Member
You should keep in mind the most common IO width per DDR3 chip is 16bit.
That's true, but doesn't seem to be set in stone for console manufacturers. The 360 went from 8 GDDR3 memory chips originally to 4 in an update without a hiccup, so it should be possible for Nintendo to get some wider memory chips, I guess? I'm fairly certain that we'll see a 128-bit bus in the Wii U, 19 GB/s bandwidth would really be too slow.
I'll translate better, we know very little, what we do know suggests a hardware anywhere from only on par with PS360, to something perhaps 30-50% faster. Anything else is wild speculation or wishful thinking.
If our information about the devkit is true, then at the very least the Wii U will be a noticeable leap over the PS360. It would at least be comparable to, say, the gap between Dreamcast and GameCube. Basically its hardware is significantly better and faster, and it has new technology that can do things that weren't possible six years ago.

The wild speculation and wishful thinking is about the extra power it might have beyond that. Lots of people here hope to see it in the same territory as the PS4 and next Xbox. Whether that will happen is still up in the air.
 

Snakeyes

Member
If our information about the devkit is true, then at the very least the Wii U will be a noticeable leap over the PS360. It would at least be comparable to, say, the gap between Dreamcast and GameCube. Basically its hardware is significantly better and faster, and it has new technology that can do things that weren't possible six years ago.

I'd be perfectly fine with the Wii U being the successful Dreamcast of the next generation.
 

AzaK

Member
Question. Does anyone know whether any of the platform holders generally have knowledgable about their competitors developments of new machines? The reason I ask is if MS and Sony we're confident in what the Wii U processing/graphical power level was going to be, do you think they might actually aim for something close to it themselves? Purely to save costs and therefore have a good launch price and lower/no losses.

I don't think the "tech game" is going to be as important this time around, and it will be services and experiences that will take a primary role in at least the marketing of the consoles.

Additionally, if devs have the same attitudes next time around as they had this time, they may not want to go to the trouble of doing a lot more work for other platforms and therefore play to the lowest common denominator - Wii U (Yes I'm being presumptuous).

Justa random thought.
 

MDX

Member
My take on the:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JElywbkSbY

Now considering Power7 has been referred to as a PowerPC, the IBMWatson tweet, the Engadget article, the mention of using technology introduced with Power7; the fact that the Power7 (besides the 360's CPU) is the first IBM processor called "multicore"; I'm confident that the WiiU's custom chip is built from the same architecture that the Power7 is based on, and will use the same elements that make the Power7 a Power7 with a few differences that will give it its own nomenclature.


Configuration:

Will be a SoC designed by Nintendo,
where GPU, CPU, DSP and Mem1 will be on the same silicon or die.

GPU = 1000Mhz, They type is really anyone's guess. GCN? It might borrow concepts that have started the GCN line.
RAM = 2000Mhz,
CPU = 3Ghz, 4 core OOE 64-bit PowerPC architecture v2.07
DSP = 32bit, sound processor?

Nintendo will go conservative with memory, but place it in the right places,
and use exotic kinds where it can.

Mem1 4 GPU/DSP 128MB (256 if they want to get jiggy) of 1t-sram(Q), or FCRAM
Mem2 4 System 1GB (g)ddr3 shared, good enough for resolutions up to 1920-1200
Mem3 4 CPU 16MB IBM eDRAM to keep things moving along.

16GB internal flash to support the initial "online" launch games and shop channels.
included. Therefore, no SD card included.

1. pack in game, WiiSportsUlympics: that will introduce, online play, Making Mii cameras using Tablet camera, and of course various ways to use the controller to the public and developers.
1. tablet controller
1. revised design of the Wiimote/Nunchuck

All for a cool $349

Retail launch games to get the Nintendo faithful to throw their money at Nintendo will include: MarioBrosWiiU & F-Zero (either by Retro or Monster Games). Second controller will also include a pack-in-game because it will be priced upwards of $ 80 or more.

Year 1: By Xmas WiiU Relax will be introduced, Pikmin3 & a Monolith's title that we wont get till year 4.
Year 2: Several big Nintendo titles through the year to battle a possible PS4 launch.
Year 3: Drought. Though by this time third party presence will be strong.


Y'all welcome to tear it all apart...
 
^ I'll pass on that bomb. I like living.

Question. Does anyone know whether any of the platform holders generally have knowledgable about their competitors developments of new machines? The reason I ask is if MS and Sony we're confident in what the Wii U processing/graphical power level was going to be, do you think they might actually aim for something close to it themselves? Purely to save costs and therefore have a good launch price and lower/no losses.

I don't think the "tech game" is going to be as important this time around, and it will be services and experiences that will take a primary role in at least the marketing of the consoles.

Additionally, if devs have the same attitudes next time around as they had this time, they may not want to go to the trouble of doing a lot more work for other platforms and therefore play to the lowest common denominator - Wii U (Yes I'm being presumptuous).

Justa random thought.

I would believe they hear things that get leaked around. Though I think the opposite would happen and MS/Sony would make sure they are more powerful. The stigma Nintendo got from one gen would hurt them too much if they were too close, though there is a remote possibility it still happens anyway. But yeah the overall experience is going to be the biggest thing next to me also.
 

Pocks

Member
Nintendo said 4 USB 2.0 ports at E3. I just want them to convert one of them.

...
Why do they have so many USB ports in the first place? Will they be used to power the charging cradle/stand for the Umotes?

If so, then they should keep two USB 2.0 for charging, nix one of them, and make the third USB 3.0.

How do costs differ between 2.0 and 3.0, including any applicable licensing fees?
 

BurntPork

Banned
My take on the:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JElywbkSbY

Now considering Power7 has been referred to as a PowerPC, the IBMWatson tweet, the Engadget article, the mention of using technology introduced with Power7; the fact that the Power7 (besides the 360's CPU) is the first IBM processor called "multicore"; I'm confident that the WiiU's custom chip is built from the same architecture that the Power7 is based on, and will use the same elements that make the Power7 a Power7 with a few differences that will give it its own nomenclature.


Configuration:

Will be a SoC designed by Nintendo,
where GPU, CPU, DSP and Mem1 will be on the same silicon or die.

GPU = 1000Mhz, They type is really anyone's guess. GCN? It might borrow concepts that have started the GCN line.
RAM = 2000Mhz,
CPU = 3Ghz, 4 core OOE 64-bit PowerPC architecture v2.07
DSP = 32bit, sound processor?

Nintendo will go conservative with memory, but place it in the right places,
and use exotic kinds where it can.

Mem1 4 GPU/DSP 128MB (256 if they want to get jiggy) of 1t-sram(Q), or FCRAM
Mem2 4 System 1GB (g)ddr3 shared, good enough for resolutions up to 1920-1200
Mem3 4 CPU 16MB IBM eDRAM to keep things moving along.

16GB internal flash to support the initial "online" launch games and shop channels.
included. Therefore, no SD card included.

1. pack in game, WiiSportsUlympics: that will introduce, online play, Making Mii cameras using Tablet camera, and of course various ways to use the controller to the public and developers.
1. tablet controller
1. revised design of the Wiimote/Nunchuck

All for a cool $349

Retail launch games to get the Nintendo faithful to throw their money at Nintendo will include: MarioBrosWiiU & F-Zero (either by Retro or Monster Games). Second controller will also include a pack-in-game because it will be priced upwards of $ 80 or more.

Year 1: By Xmas WiiU Relax will be introduced, Pikmin3 & a Monolith's title that we wont get till year 4.
Year 2: Several big Nintendo titles through the year to battle a possible PS4 launch.
Year 3: Drought. Though by this time third party presence will be strong.


Y'all welcome to tear it all apart...

HAHAHAHA no
 

ASIS

Member
I don't understand, is this topic still active because of new info or is it just intense speculation?

Assuming it's the former, what's the stance on the WiiU right now? How powerful is it? When is the release date?


I'm sorry if I seem lazy but this thread has been alive for so long and the OP is not doing a good job of keeping dates so.... yeah..
 

EloquentM

aka Mannny
I don't understand, is this topic still active because of new info or is it just intense speculation.

Assuming it's the former, what's the stance on the WiiU right now? How powerful is it? When is the release date?


I'm sorry if I seem lazy but this thread has been alive for so long and the OP is not doing a good job of keeping dates so.... yeah..

There is hardly any concrete news. Just (reliable?) rumors and speculation/educated guessing. It's why the OP is never updated.

Edit: From time to time there's talk about what Nintendo needs to do in order to be successful although those conversations usually dissolve when occasional troll (luckyman) troll pops his head in here to cause animosity.

I usually just lurk on this thread because it's a good read.
 
I don't understand, is this topic still active because of new info or is it just intense speculation?

Assuming it's the former, what's the stance on the WiiU right now? How powerful is it? When is the release date?
Barely any new info.

But based on what we know expect it to be somewhat more powerful than current gen consoles with at least twice the system memory and a better CPU/GPU combo, but not quite on par with MS/Sony's next systems.

Fall 2012 unless delayed.
 
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