3ds specs are here!

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"]Sheep really have learned nothing..BreakTheseLinks

[QUOTE="gamecubepad"]

So it's basically GC-level with some advcanced shader capabilities. Nice.

It's funny that some people were actually expecting something along the lines of a Tegra 2. This is Nintendo we're talking about. They haven't had a system with cutting-edge gfx since the N64, and it's worked for them. To be honest, there's no reason to have a handheld with current-gen level gfx.

dontshackzmii

the gc spanked the ps2 in power.

Agreed. My favorite system from last gen.

---

The specs for the PSP are something along the lines of(from wikipedia):

CPU- 1-333MHz(222MHz default)

RAM- 32MB(64MB in later models)

GPU- 1-166MHz(111MHz default), 2MB VRAM

---

3DS:

CPU- 2x 266MHz CPUs

RAM- 64MB

GPU(PICA200)- 166MHz, 4MB VRAM...

(from wiki)PICA200 3D processing core consists of up to four programmable vertex pipelines that can be rearranged as four pixel pipelines. The number of IPCs and pipelines will depend on the target processor core and will be subject to possible changes in the future.

For 2D graphics rendering there are two optional addons: image post-processing module PICA-FBM ("Frame Buffer Object") that can be used as anti-aliasing filter with support for some specific 2D functions and vector graphics module PICA-VG ("Vector Graphics") as PICA-FBM extension.

PICA200's basic OpenGL ES 1.1 support is functional equivalent to DirectX 7+ ~ 8.0 GPUs, that was actual in PC market in 1999-2000, but OpenGL ES 1.1 extension pack and DMP's unique extensions (MAESTRO-2G) tweaks made graphics rendering on this fixed function IPC more alike to more contemporary DX9.0c ~ DX10.1 GPUs.

• DMP's MAESTRO-2G technology
  • per pixel lighting
  • procedural texture
  • refraction mapping
  • subdivision primitive
  • shadow
  • gaseous object rendering

---

So don't worry, the 3DS is a step above the PSP in all regards. Doubt it can push the geometry that the Wii does, but it's shader capabilities are more advanced.

Well, I was going to buy it day one... Now... After hearing the so called "real" specs, I'll hold off.

Would have been nice if it had...

300 MHz Dual CPUs

200 MHz GPU

8MB VRAM

128 RAM

2GB Storage

Oh, well... Time shall see.

Doesn't matter to me. The games look great, but I hope 3DS continues the strong 3rd party legacy as its predecessors.

While this is old news I just thought I should share...

This is the Nvidia Tegra 2

• two ARM Cortex A9's at 1.0 ghz
• a dedicated 2d/3d GPU
• up to 1920x1080 resolution
• low power requirements
• DDR2 ram
• support for 3d touchscreen UI
• etc.

Facts: http://www.nvidia.com/object/tegra_250.html

Tegra 2 tech demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpGtu_ZkwqA

So what's with the 3DS :? If the specs hold true handhelds from other companies should really make the 3DS look dated even before launch.

I'm not meaning to be a party killer, as I myself am planning on getting a 3DS, but this is just weird.

To me this means it will probably not be extremely expensive so I'm happy.

Is it just me or do games like Metal Gear and Kid icarus actually seem like they would require higher specs than this especially running in 3D.. not sure if these are totally accurate

For those expecting high clock speeds you really need to think about the platform. It's a mobile device. Higher clock speeds means putting more energy through your processor. That energy isn't coming from a power plant a few hundred miles away from you, it's coming from the battery of the system. More energy taken, less battery life.

A powerful laptop playing games doesn't have much more than 2-4 hours depending on the size of the battery. Do you really want to only go for 1-3 hours before you have to recharge?

The graphics of 3DS games have looked fine so far, no need for more power. Give me more battery life.

Is it just me or do games like Metal Gear and Kid icarus actually seem like they would require higher specs than this especially running in 3D.. not sure if these are totally accurate

VendettaRed07

No matter how good or bad these specs are.. We've seen what it's capable of and the graphics look fantastic for a handheld.

Well, I was going to buy it day one... Now... After hearing the so called "real" specs, I'll hold off.

Would have been nice if it had...

300 MHz Dual CPUs

200 MHz GPU

8MB VRAM

128 RAM

2GB Storage

Oh, well... Time shall see.

[QUOTE="topgunmv"]

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"] I would question the validity of their sources' off-the-cuff comparisons first. Pure specs aren't subject to hyperbole.Cherokee_Jack

I think one of three things is happening. Either their "insider" made up the specs, the "developers" they talked to were just blowing smoke, or ign made the entire thing up since they didn't name any sources.

That's my view of the situation. Developers BS about hardware like that constantly, especially if they're on the creative side and not qualified to talk about the tech. But these specs don't seem made-up, and since the press routinely hears about this stuff long before we do, it's entirely plausible that IGN got legit details from some source or other.

storage should be 4gb atleast and 266mhz CPU? thats lame considering theres cell phones with 1ghz cpu.

sikanderahmed

For those expecting high clock speeds you really need to think about the platform. It's a mobile device. Higher clock speeds means putting more energy through your processor. That energy isn't coming from a power plant a few hundred miles away from you, it's coming from the battery of the system. More energy taken, less battery life.

A powerful laptop playing games doesn't have much more than 2-4 hours depending on the size of the battery. Do you really want to only go for 1-3 hours before you have to recharge?

The graphics of 3DS games have looked fine so far, no need for more power. Give me more battery life.

Wasdie

[QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

[QUOTE="gamecubepad"]

So it's basically GC-level with some advcanced shader capabilities. Nice.

It's funny that some people were actually expecting something along the lines of a Tegra 2. This is Nintendo we're talking about. They haven't had a system with cutting-edge gfx since the N64, and it's worked for them. To be honest, there's no reason to have a handheld with current-gen level gfx.

gamecubepad

the gc spanked the ps2 in power.

Agreed. My favorite system from last gen.

---

The specs for the PSP are something along the lines of(from wikipedia):

CPU- 1-333MHz(222MHz default)

RAM- 32MB(64MB in later models)

GPU- 1-166MHz(111MHz default), 2MB VRAM

---

3DS:

CPU- 2 266MHz CPUs

RAM- 64MB

GPU(PICA200)- 166MHz, 4MB VRAM...

(from wiki)PICA200 3D processing core consists of up to four programmable vertex pipelines that can be rearranged as four pixel pipelines. The number of IPCs and pipelines will depend on the target processor core and will be subject to possible changes in the future.

For 2D graphics rendering there are two optional addons: image post-processing module PICA-FBM ("Frame Buffer Object") that can be used as anti-aliasing filter with support for some specific 2D functions and vector graphics module PICA-VG ("Vector Graphics") as PICA-FBM extension.

PICA200's basic OpenGL ES 1.1 support is functional equivalent to DirectX 7+ ~ 8.0 GPUs, that was actual in PC market in 1999-2000, but OpenGL ES 1.1 extension pack and DMP's unique extensions (MAESTRO-2G) tweaks made graphics rendering on this fixed function IPC more alike to more contemporary DX9.0c ~ DX10.1 GPUs.

• DMP's MAESTRO-2G technology
  • per pixel lighting
  • procedural texture
  • refraction mapping
  • subdivision primitive
  • shadow
  • gaseous object rendering

---

So don't worry, the 3DS is a step above the PSP in all regards. Doubt it can push the geometry of that the Wii does, but it's shader capabilities are more advanced.

Details in the link in my sig.

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

For those expecting high clock speeds you really need to think about the platform. It's a mobile device. Higher clock speeds means putting more energy through your processor. That energy isn't coming from a power plant a few hundred miles away from you, it's coming from the battery of the system. More energy taken, less battery life.

A powerful laptop playing games doesn't have much more than 2-4 hours depending on the size of the battery. Do you really want to only go for 1-3 hours before you have to recharge?

The graphics of 3DS games have looked fine so far, no need for more power. Give me more battery life.

NVIDIATI

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

[QUOTE="Wasdie"]

For those expecting high clock speeds you really need to think about the platform. It's a mobile device. Higher clock speeds means putting more energy through your processor. That energy isn't coming from a power plant a few hundred miles away from you, it's coming from the battery of the system. More energy taken, less battery life.

A powerful laptop playing games doesn't have much more than 2-4 hours depending on the size of the battery. Do you really want to only go for 1-3 hours before you have to recharge?

The graphics of 3DS games have looked fine so far, no need for more power. Give me more battery life.

Teufelhuhn

Also there is this:

"Tegra 3 almost done and a Tegra 4 currently underway, but that we should expect a new Tegra SOC "every single year.""

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/21/nvidia-ceo-tegra-3-almost-done-tegra-4-on-the-way-expect-a-ne/

Things are moving fast in the world of portable devices.

[QUOTE="gamecubepad"]

So don't worry, the 3DS is a step above the PSP in all regards. Doubt it can push the geometry of that the Wii does, but it's shader capabilities are more advanced.

SaltyMeatballs

Details in the link in my sig.

Perhaps, but they could be basing these numbers off the max clock speed of 400MHz, while the version the 3DS is using has a 166MHz clock speed. Like you said though, given the small screen res., and the nature of stereo3D, there's no reason to have such high poly count. From the description they have of the Maestro extensions, I'd say the 3DS is basically a handheld Xbox...

The autostereo screens are gonna have the biggest impact on gfx quality, though. Overall, I'd say Nintendo made the perfect choice in hardware, balancing gfx power and battery life, with the bonus of dual-screens and autostereoscopy. I'm waiting outside of my local electronics store at least 24hrs. before launch that way I can score a few of these babies. I can see the whole "sold out for 2yrs" like the Wii happening all over again. This will be the pinnacle of gaming tech. No joke.:P

it has the same amount of RAM as the Xbox, that's pretty good to me.

and gotta love people trusting a developer about the specs yet when those same people say the graphics compare to current gen consoles, pff nah we don't trust them. Of course I'm not expecting as good looking games as on 360/PS3 from the 3DS but I expect to see results close to them ona small screen. We've already seen what Resident Evil Revelations looks like and that looks pretty damn impressive to me.

and to quote Capcom from a recent article:

"The game's graphics rendering pipeline is, when looked at from a far, almost identical to that of Resident Evil 5. The game has such things as HDR Rendering, Self Shadows and Normal Maps. Effects like color correction, depth of field, gamma correction and such have also already been implemented."

Guess we'll see, hopefully at the end of the month.

[QUOTE="SaltyMeatballs"]

[QUOTE="gamecubepad"]

So don't worry, the 3DS is a step above the PSP in all regards. Doubt it can push the geometry of that the Wii does, but it's shader capabilities are more advanced.

gamecubepad

Details in the link in my sig.

Perhaps, but they could be basing these numbers off the max clock speed of 400MHz, while the version the 3DS is using has a 166MHz clock speed. Like you said though, given the small screen res., and the nature of stereo3D, there's no reason to have such high poly count. From the description they have of the Maestro extensions, I'd say the 3DS is basically a handheld Xbox...

The autostereo screens are gonna have the biggest impact on gfx quality, though. Overall, I'd say Nintendo made the perfect choice in hardware, balancing gfx power and battery life, with the bonus of dual-screens and autostereoscopy. I'm waiting outside of my local electronics store at least 24hrs. before launch that way I can score a few of these babies. I can see the whole "sold out for 2yrs" like the Wii happening all over again. This will be the pinnacle of gaming tech. No joke.:P

Those are great specs for a handheld Did seriosly people expect specs from a console one? :?Giancar

I just want to remind people that just because something is 133mhz or so doesn't mean its the same as a GC clocked at 133mhz. these numbers are relative to the architecture of the hardware. Its like comparing an Intel Pentium 3 at 333mhz to an intel pentium 2 at 333mhz (this is just an example). obviously the pentium 3 is better. This logic applies with every peice of hardware including RAM. I personally feel that the 3DS is within the xbox 1 levels. Also a question to Teuf. why two ARM 11's? I can understand why they chose an ARM 11 itself, but why two?

To be honest I don't really understand the numbers, but we already have seen what the 3DS was capable of even before it started the race. The graphics already look beastly for a handheld and more importantly there are even more epic games being released for it.

Yeah, it's a portable GameCube, like I expected. But it's not the specs that will do 3DS, it's the games (and 3D effects).

why two ARM 11's? I can understand why they chose an ARM 11 itself, but why two?

painguy1

Doubling the cores is cheaper and more power-efficient than scaling up the clock speed.

I would think the nature of stereo3D is going to be the biggest problem. Programmable shaders aside, how is the 3DS going to keep up with Xbox level graphics if it has to constantly render two scenes for both the left and right eyes, while only pumping out maybe 12M polygons/second?

SakusEnvoy

Capcom has already shown it can be done. As I previously stated, I doubt it has the polygon pushing power of the GC/Xbox, but the shader architecture is more advanced.

"PICA200's basic OpenGL ES 1.1 support is functional equivalent to DirectX 7+ ~ 8.0 GPUs, that was actual in PC market in 1999-2000, but OpenGL ES 1.1 extension pack and DMP's unique extensions (MAESTRO-2G) tweaks made graphics rendering on this fixed function IPC more alike to more contemporary DX9.0c ~ DX10.1 GPUs."

The Xbox used a DX8 GPU, so going by initial specs and info, the PICA200 with MAESTRO is a little more advanced. Check out the previous post by laus_basic for proof.

Not to mention the 3DS main screen is running 800x240(192,000 pixels) or 400x240(96,000 pixels) per eye. The Xbox ran games at 640x480(307,200 pixels), so the pixel fill rate doesn't need to be even close to as high as on the Xbox to achieve similar results, even with lower geometry counts.

From the PICA200 white papers it says MAESTRO offers support for cube environment maps, procedural textures, normal mapping, tessellation, and soft shadows. Normal maps in tandem with occlusion culling and tessellation make poly count irrelevant. Back to what I was saying, though. Autostereo will make the games look way better than increased poly count could ever manage to do on it's own.

While this is old news I just thought I should share...

This is the Nvidia Tegra 2

• two ARM Cortex A9's at 1.0 ghz
• a dedicated 2d/3d GPU
• up to 1920x1080 resolution
• low power requirements
• DDR2 ram
• support for 3d touchscreen UI
• etc.

Facts: http://www.nvidia.com/object/tegra_250.html

Tegra 2 tech demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpGtu_ZkwqA

So what's with the 3DS :? If the specs hold true handhelds from other companies should really make the 3DS look dated even before launch.

I'm not meaning to be a party killer, as I myself am planning on getting a 3DS, but this is just weird.

NVIDIATI

Problem is the price. They would be idiots to jack up the price point for power they DO NOT need.

Disappointed was expecting a bit more but whatever its nintendo after all.

[QUOTE="gamecubepad"]

[QUOTE="SaltyMeatballs"] I think it could push close to the Wii, seeing as all together the resolution is still a lot smaller than Wii's 854 x 480 (3DS all together is 800 x 240, basically half the Wii's resolution)

Details in the link in my sig.

SakusEnvoy

Perhaps, but they could be basing these numbers off the max clock speed of 400MHz, while the version the 3DS is using has a 166MHz clock speed. Like you said though, given the small screen res., and the nature of stereo3D, there's no reason to have such high poly count. From the description they have of the Maestro extensions, I'd say the 3DS is basically a handheld Xbox...

The autostereo screens are gonna have the biggest impact on gfx quality, though. Overall, I'd say Nintendo made the perfect choice in hardware, balancing gfx power and battery life, with the bonus of dual-screens and autostereoscopy. I'm waiting outside of my local electronics store at least 24hrs. before launch that way I can score a few of these babies. I can see the whole "sold out for 2yrs" like the Wii happening all over again. This will be the pinnacle of gaming tech. No joke.:P

Rendering the same frame twice at 2 different angles isn't the only way to do 3D as Crytek showed. I read something about them using some kind of "back buffer" or something like that, but it produces the stereoscopic 3D effect with barely performance loss.

Not that I understand what any of that means. :P

[QUOTE="dontshackzmii"]

http://gear.ign.com/articles/112/1122613p1.html

kinda disappointing when it comes to the gpu . But it has 2 cpus witch is not bad .

gamer620

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

While this is old news I just thought I should share...

This is the Nvidia Tegra 2

• two ARM Cortex A9's at 1.0 ghz
• a dedicated 2d/3d GPU
• up to 1920x1080 resolution
• low power requirements
• DDR2 ram
• support for 3d touchscreen UI
• etc.

Facts: http://www.nvidia.com/object/tegra_250.html

Tegra 2 tech demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpGtu_ZkwqA

So what's with the 3DS :? If the specs hold true handhelds from other companies should really make the 3DS look dated even before launch.

I'm not meaning to be a party killer, as I myself am planning on getting a 3DS, but this is just weird.

Cherokee_Jack

Problem is the price. They would be idiots to jack up the price point for power they DO NOT need.

yeah really.. Honestly having a slightly more powerful gamecube at this point is way more than enough.. Especially if it means the difference between good and bad battery life. Plus none of this official anyhow. And another thing how do any of us even know what its really going to look like? Its on a display that none of us have ever really seen before so what might look ok on a 2D display might be an entirely different story on a 3D screen.

[QUOTE="NVIDIATI"]

While this is old news I just thought I should share...

This is the Nvidia Tegra 2

• two ARM Cortex A9's at 1.0 ghz
• a dedicated 2d/3d GPU
• up to 1920x1080 resolution
• low power requirements
• DDR2 ram
• support for 3d touchscreen UI
• etc.

Facts: http://www.nvidia.com/object/tegra_250.html

Tegra 2 tech demo: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpGtu_ZkwqA

So what's with the 3DS :? If the specs hold true handhelds from other companies should really make the 3DS look dated even before launch.

I'm not meaning to be a party killer, as I myself am planning on getting a 3DS, but this is just weird.

Cherokee_Jack

Problem is the price. They would be idiots to jack up the price point for power they DO NOT need.

Not that I understand what any of that means. :P

789shadow

[QUOTE="789shadow"]

Not that I understand what any of that means. :P

mystervj

Didn't Kid Icarus look like a GC game to you?

[QUOTE="mystervj"][QUOTE="789shadow"]

Not that I understand what any of that means. :P

Didn't Kid Icarus look like a GC game to you?

Normal maps in tandem with occlusion culling and tessellation make poly count irrelevant.
gamecubepad

Back to what I was saying, though. Autostereo will make the games look way better than increased poly count could ever manage to do on it's own.

gamecubepad

Just wait for the 3DSi.

I like it how everyone is disappointed with the tech all of the sudden :P

It's still gonna be the biggest handheld console in years to follow.

Well, I was going to buy it day one... Now... After hearing the so called "real" specs, I'll hold off.

Would have been nice if it had...

300 MHz Dual CPUs

200 MHz GPU

8MB VRAM

128 RAM

2GB Storage

Oh, well... Time shall see.

Truth_Hurts_U

wtf why? The games looks great, why are people compalining?

[QUOTE="BreakTheseLinks"][QUOTE="nintendo-4life"]Sheep really have learned nothing..nintendo-4life

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"][QUOTE="BreakTheseLinks"] How's that?Bigboi500

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"] Graphics aren't important. The 3DS was proven sufficient enough back in E3. Why is there so much interest over specs?nintendo-4life

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"][QUOTE="Bigboi500"]Why would you judge a few posters actions as the entire fanbase?

Bigboi500

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"] I'm judging SW sheep.. Wasn't I clear about that? :?nintendo-4life

[QUOTE="Bigboi500"]

[QUOTE="nintendo-4life"] I'm judging SW sheep.. Wasn't I clear about that? :?nintendo-4life