Predict: The Next Generation Console Tech

[XpiderMX]

Have been posted?

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/memory...to_Support_Hybrid_Memory_Cube_Technology.html

 

[almighty]

Have been posted?

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/memory...to_Support_Hybrid_Memory_Cube_Technology.html

Memory bandwidth FTW!!

 

[jlippo]

Memory bandwidth FTW!!

Could certainly be a very interesting, a GPU with huge scratch pad or all VRAM on top of the GPU?

 

[AlNom]

Yeah... I'm not sure it'd be something to expect for a 2013 console. One could always hope I guess. *shrug*


http://denalimemoryreport.wordpress...-details-about-the-micron-hybrid-memory-cube/

Black expects the first samples of HMC assemblies to appear in the first half of 2013. Based on DRAM litho roadmaps, he expects each of the DRAM die to have 4Gbit capacities by then. With four die, that means the sample HMCs in mid 2013 will have 16Gbit or 2Gbyte storage capacities.

 

[fehu]

can be in time for a late 2014 console?
btw they are not inventing a new memory technology, "only" stacking existing die

 

[AlNom]

I don't think it's that easy/simple. The manufacturing process to include the TSVs is quite a bit more complex... The HMC also differs from regular stacking with the introduction of a logic layer to facilitate the bandwidth connections. My main concern over its usage is related to the costs and when they would need to lock down the design spec of the machine to keep control over said cost concerns.

Samsung does have TSV stacked DDR3 now though it seems to be more of a density win than anything (8Gb RDIMMs).

 

[Acert93]

Well, maybe DDR4 will be early. In my feeble opinion waiting for a major break through, like HCM breaks down such a huge long standing barrier waiting a year (e.g. slide from 2013 to 2014) is worth it.

 

[Rangers]

Yeah I'm not expecting anything exotic next gen. Too early.

 

[almighty]

Well if rumors are true and the development kits for the new Xbox are in prouction then surely they're using standard memory technologies?

 

[fehu]

early devkit are nothing like the final product, the question is "how early are?"
for the 360 what was the delta between dev kit and launch? a year?

 

[lefizz]

Around a year if i remember correctly, though i think the dev kits (the apple g4s with some extra bits n bobs) had there graphics cards changed before the final dev kits arrived a few months before the console shipped

 

[AlNom]

Around a year if i remember correctly, though i think the dev kits (the apple g4s with some extra bits n bobs) had there graphics cards changed before the final dev kits arrived a few months before the console shipped

IIRC, the earliest had 9800s, then X800s, then X850s (as the latter two became available).

 

[XpiderMX]

First alpha kits:
- Dual core PowerPC G5
- ATi RADEON 9800 Pro

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1030308/xbox-sdk-released-cool-apple-power-mac-g5s

 

[Rangers]

Just noting in here internet has been abuzz lately with Crucial M4 128GB (a quality SSD) and other SSD sales recently. Newegg had M4 128GB for $99. Well below the fabled 1$ per GB barrier.

Just something a little interesting regarding consoles I suppose. What if they can put even a 64GB SSD in a console, as rapidly as SSD prices are plummeting.

I know there is an SSD thread, but I guess that is about games distribution, whereas this is not per se? I see it as more a performance option.

 

[Proelite]

The Pastebin article from back in December mentioned the Durango having 8 GB of flash ram in addition to 4GB of ram. Speaking of that article, I can't believe it's still the only certified partial leak so far.

 

[Rangers]

How is that leak "certified"? Because he knew the code names?

I'd hope for more than 8GB as low as flash prices are falling. At least 16...to load most of the game in.

 

[Proelite]

How is that leak "certified"? Because he knew the code names?

I'd hope for more than 8GB as low as flash prices are falling. At least 16...to load most of the game in.

That's best confirmation of any leak so far.

 

[babybumb]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/169845/the_future_according_to_epics_tim_.php?page=3

Epic aiming very high with UE4. Hints at obvious platforms so specs should be assured decent at this point or they would be wasting money for this tech

I know it's under wraps, but you guys are probably feeling pretty okay about Unreal Engine 4.

TS: Yeah, we're starting a behind-closed-doors showing of the engine to developers; this is part of our very early ramp-up cycle. We went through this cycle with Unreal Engine 3 starting in 2003 and 2004. At some point we'll make public announcements and ramp up to the point where developers are shipping games, but it's very early right now. We're aiming very high, and the intended platforms this is aimed at haven't even been announced.

 

[Proelite]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/169845/the_future_according_to_epics_tim_.php?page=3

Epic aiming very high with UE4. Hints at obvious platforms so specs should be assured decent at this point or they would be wasting money for this tech

I keep getting the sense that one of the two platforms are going to be 2014.

 

[almighty]

http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/169845/the_future_according_to_epics_tim_.php?page=3

Epic aiming very high with UE4. Hints at obvious platforms so specs should be assured decent at this point or they would be wasting money for this tech

I stopped reading after this

When you look for the best graphics available in the whole game industry today, you look at Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, and those games are the best out there, bar none.