Console hardware timelines

[dagamer]

I have a few simple questions I'm going someone knows the answer to (and will or ably help avoid circular topics in other threads):

HMMBFM = How many months before launch.

1) HMMBFM must the CPU/GPU/APU design be locked down? (And here I am talking about changes that must be planned for in advance, even if they don't leak for several months later).
2) HMMBFM must final clocks be locked down?
3) HMMBFM must final retail assembly start?
4) HMMBFM must developers be given devkits good enough to pass certification for launch games?

Here are my answers though they are bound to be wrong:
1) ~1 year.
2) 2-3 months, though technically it's before the first retail unit is assembled (meaning it passed testing).
3) 2-3 months.
4) No clue.

 

[Kb-Smoker]

I dont think it fly by the seat of your pants like some think on here.

1-2 should be locked down when you design the chips. Unless you run into problems like low yields.
3. 3-4 months from launch. Sony is starting this month for ps4 if reports are correct. X360 started in aug.
4. 5-6 months from launch, hopefully before e3.

 

[Rangers]

probably nobody (outside a few employees directly involved), even here, knows these answers exactly.

hence we can still speculate over downclocks and upclocks and RAM even at this late date.

i just have a vague idea changes to silicon (eg, adding cu's to an existing gpu design) takes a really long time. like well more than 1 year perhaps.