OK OK, we seem to be getting a new rumor and leak topic about the upcoming consoles (PS4 and Xbox 720) about every 6 hrs. So you know what that means don't you? Ohhhhhhh yeahhhhh it's STICKY TIME!!! :D :D
And here's what I'm going to do. For all rumors, leaks, and speculation that anybody can provide from an established media outlet (Eurogamer, IGN, 1UP, Kotaku, Gamespot, GT, etc... and blogs don't count) if you got anything new, I'll update the OP with that info as soon as I can, so all the reports on what to (possibly) expect can be compared by source. If you got something new, post it here with a link to the source and I'll update.
No link, and it doesn't get included in the OP. Other than that, all your own specualtion, ideas, what you hope to see, what you think the name will be, and all general discussion can be exchanged here.
This encompasses ALL the unreleased system for which we have no official facts on; PS4, Xbox 720, Ouya, and now replaces the Steambox sticky.
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So all the source reports we have so far:
Eurogamer Article - Orbis Unmasked
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"Both the next generation PlayStation - and its Xbox competitor - feature eight-core CPUs clocked at 1.6GHz according to sources trusted by Digital Foundry. The main processor architecture driving both consoles is said to be derived the new "Jaguar" technology currently in development by Intel's arch-rival, AMD. These are low-power processor cores designed for the entry-level laptop and tablet market, offering an excellent ratio between power consumption and performance. The PC Jaguar products are set to ship later this year in a quad-core configuration - next-gen consoles see the core count double with some customisations added to the overall design.
Married to the eight-core processor, Orbis also features Radeon HD graphics hardware. We've previously suggested that AMD's mobile "Pitcairn" design - the Radeon 7970M - could be a strong basis for a next-gen console graphics core in terms of power consumption and die-size. Running at 850MHz and featuring 20 of AMD's "Graphics Core Next" compute units, our information suggests that Orbis shaves off 10 per cent of that number, offering up 18 CUs in total, and sees a mild downclock to 800MHz. Incorporated into a design dedicated to cutting-edge visuals and gameplay, this hardware has some serious potential."
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CVG - PS4 drops dualshock
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Sony will drop the DualShock controller for the next PlayStation, according to a new report.
Sources told CVG Sony has tested new controllers with biometric sensors on the grips and an LCD touch-screen.
This information tallies with what Eurogamer has heard from our own sources. We understand that as of six months ago Sony was testing a controller that had an LCD touch-screen on the front and biometrics functionality on the back. These designs, we were told, have changed almost every month, but are for the controller for the next PlayStation.
Biometrics technology captures data from the player's body, such as temperature and heart rate. Half-Life developer Valve has been experimenting with the tech, trying to discover new game experiences that would benefit from it.
Sony did not comment.
The DualShock controller was introduced alongside the original PlayStation in 1997 and has been used for each PlayStation home console since.
It is expected that the PlayStation Vita will be compatible with the next PlayStation. CVG suggests existing PlayStation 3 controllers will work with the console in a similar way that Wii Remotes work with the Wii U.
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Now Gamer - PS4 and X720 specs report
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PS4 Tech Specs
An APU with a fast GPU.
4GB of DDR3 RAM.
4GB of GDDR5 RAM.
CPU is an x86 system with 256-bit bus.
A more off the shelf design than the modded Xbox 720. "We all feel Omni is more of a pc in it design."
Capable of 3.2TFlops of data.
Xbox 720 Tech Specs
Three SOCs in one console. Two "Venus" models, and one "Mars".
8GB RAM, with 1GB devoted to operating system.
Mars SOC - System SOC
GPU AMD 8850 spec GPU clocked at 600mhz
4 core CPU is clocked @ 1.8GHz. It is an x86 system.
Audio DSP
2 of Venus SOC - Application SOC
GPU AMD 8900 spec GPU clocked at 800mhz with 10000HD series future tech
4 core CPU is clocked @ 2.5GHz
1.5 Gb of GDDR5 ram on each SOC (total 3GB) clocked @ 1.2Ghz
Common factors
4GB of DDR4 RAM with 384 bit bus
Ray tracing chip
High speed blitter with 510 GB/s bandwidth between SOCs
EDRAM
Power brick is 300 watts, but SDKs are looking at 230 watts used.
Capable of 4.2TFlops of data.
Next-Gen PS4 & Xbox 720 Tech Glossary
APU = Accelerated Processing Unit. A hardware system that includes an additional method of processing. In this case, a CPU with a GPU built in.
CPU = Central Processing Unit. The primary processing function of a machine.
GPU = Graphics Processing Unit. The system used to process and generate the visuals of a game.
SOC = System On Chip. A method of combining all the processing functions (CPU, GPU, etc) onto a single chip. Largely used for mobiles and tablets, but increasingly popular for consoles.
Omni = One of the proposed final names for the PS4.
Starsha = The rumoured name of the chips on board the PS4.
Thebes = The internal codename for the PS4.
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Nowgamer Xbox 720 more powerful than PS4
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Yes, another new rumor just kicks in. This rumor has more technical details then the past ones. However, just read it for fun, don't take these kind of rumors seriously. The final specs will always be revealed after E3.
"The next-gen console wars kicks off early as insider claims the Xbox 720 will outperform the PS4 quite considerably."
Published on Jan 17, 2013
As part of an insider reveal -with numerous technical details on the Xbox 720 and PS4 spotted- a developer has claimed that the Xbox Next will be considerably more powerful than the PS4.
The tech specs of both the PS4 and the Xbox 720 are quite telling of where next-gen might take us, and the insider claims that Sony is looking to target 4K resolutions for its TV market while Microsoft is intending to target complexray tracing lighting technology.
Next-gen Espionage
As part of the reveal, the insider confirmed that both consoles will be "a big jump" on what we have now, and that quite a lot of next-gen espionage has gone on as both console manufacturers try to compete with one another.
Sony caught wind of Microsoft's dual SOC (System On Chip) technology, and countered it by increasing the RAM to 8GB as well as improving the GPU.
However, Microsoft has since reacted to that by adding in a third SOC into the Xbox 720 - resulting in what the developer refers to as "three computers in one".
The Differences Between PS4 & Xbox 720
The insider was asked about whether this three SOC system will cause issues for developers, questioning whether it could prove as difficult as the PS3's Cell chip to develop for.
On paper both systems are capable of 3.2TFlops of data, however the Oban blitter inside the Xbox 720 increases the speed at which data is transferred, meaning the Xbox Next is actually capable of 4.2TFlops.
The inclusion of EDRAM, too, means that a lot of data is shared between the three chips.
"We all feel Omni is more of a pc in it design," claims the insider, "Or more off the shelf than Durango."
He adds that Durango - or Xbox 720, or Xbox Next - has a more "modded design" which includes a better bus, higher memory speeds and extra rendering tech.
"I'd look at Durango as high level-PC and Omni as a medium setting PC," says the insider.
PS4 Vs Xbox 720: Image Quality
Though Sony is targeting 4K resolution capabilities, it seems the PS4 won't actually be able to generate the resolution native and will instead upscale.
"The thing about Omni," says the insider, "is it will upscale to 4K but the IQ [Image Quality] is very low in regards to Durango."
He adds that a higher resolution doesn't equate to a better image quality. He does claim that third-party games will be able to scale easily across the Wii U, Xbox 720 and Omni, however adds that "first party games and some third party will look amazing on Durango no doubt.
"You will see a big difference."
Later on the insider is quizzed on the ability to port games from the PC to each of the consoles, to which he replies that the Xbox 720 is no different"to developing for 360. The tools are highly-developed to handle the system."
He then adds, "And the first time you see xbox IQ you will know... The winner."
Microsoft Has Spent More Developing The Xbox 720
According to the insider, Microsoft has a "massive budget" for developing the Kryptos project and the result is the Oban blitter, a microprocessor that increases the speed at which data is transferred through the system.
Discussing the Oban and CPU setup, the insider claims "It's 384bit and has 550gb/s it was designed to enhance the system for ray tracing and other memory heavy rendering engines.
"Oban is the game changer for MS. You all will see very soon with your own eyes and ears."
The insider is the posed the question on whether the three SOCs will cause trouble for Microsoft, and in fact make it harder to develop for than Sony's single SOC system.
"It would be hard to achieve if it was not for Oban design," he says, adding "I have heard Starsha kits have very bad heating problems due to the GPU and SOC not being specialised enough.
"I think that has come down to sony not having enough money to invest in R&D."
The insider then claims that the Oban/Venus blitter and SOC setup has been in development for two years by Microsoft, IBM and AMD.
"And also a lot of people are comparing Starsha and Kryptos by saying that Starsha is more powerful, well it's because you are comparing them to early SDK. Sony Starsha has been in final SDK since December."
Xbox 720 Will Have Better Multiplatform Games Than PS4
Though in many ways the two systems are comparable, the insider is adamant that the Xbox 720 will be better overall than the PS4.
"Every multiplatform or third party game will look better on Xbox Next," claims the insider, adding that even first party games on the Xbox 720 "will look better then other company's offerings."
Because of the Oban parts inside the console, the insider says the Xbox Next will stay current.
He then answers the question over memory. The PS4 has 8GB of memory, as does the Xbox 720 - however 1GB of that Xbox Next's RAM will be used only for the operating system to power features such as in-game video Skype chat.
The insider is the questioned again on the limitations of having three SOCs inside the Xbox 720, and how it could pose an issue for multiplatform games on the console.
"The 2xVenus and 1xMars are designed with Oban controllers. These SOC can work together. But they do not need crossfire.
"Porting is not a problem. Porting pc gameswould be a lot easIer this time. Any part of the engine code can be sent to any CPU core or GPU DSP [digital signal processor], it's very opendue to the blitter."
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VG24/7 - rumor of PS4 to be 50% faster
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If latest rumours regarding next generation hardware are to be believed, the next PlayStation is to be significantly more powerful that the next Xbox.
Developer sources, speaking after meetings at CES, have told VG247 that the next PlayStation, codenamed Orbis, will have a run-capability of 1.84 teraflops. Conversely, the next Xbox, codenamed Durango, will be able to achieve 1.23 teraflops.
If true, these numbers mean PlayStation 4 will have a 50% raw, computational power advantage over Xbox 720.
While PS4 will have greater grunt that 720, however, the Microsoft machine has significantly more RAM at 8Gb, weve been told. Our source said that 3Gb is reserved for the OS, apps and security, leaving 4-5Gb for games.
Orbis will have 4Gb of RAM, said our source, of which 1Gb will be reserved for for OS, security and apps, leaving some 3Gb for games.
Both machines will supposedly have have the ability to read 100Gb Blu-ray discs.
Durango is apparently based on the Radeon HD 8770 GPU.
PlayStation 4 has been previously rumoured to be built on AMDs A10 APU.
It was recently claimed that the two machines are to be announced in late March. Its widely assumed that both consoles will launch in November this year.
VG247 is under the impression that several media outlets are in possession of documents related to Durango from CES and are currently working on major leak stories.
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Examiner - PS4 vs X720 specs
DigitalSpy PS4 50% more powerful than 720
MCV - also reporting PS4 more powerful than 720
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