The leaked specifications of the PlayStation 4/Orbis are making rounds on the Internet. Here’s why I say it’s all Crap.
Specifications at a glance (click for source)1. x86 CPU and GPU Package
- AMD Fusion APU – Codenamed ‘Liverpool’
- AMD x86 Quad Core at 3.2 GHz
- ATI r10xx (3rd generation) GFLOPS at 800 MHz and 1843 – Codename “Tahitiâ€
- Unified 2GB of memory (still uncertain, this can be 4GB)
- Blu-ray
- HDMI 1.4 – 1080p output
- 320GB + HDD
- 16GB Flash Memory
- The CPU in question is said to be an AMD Fusion (probably quad-core) based on the “Steamroller†cores set to launch in 2013. The problem is, 4 cores would not only be too less, it would be insanely weak against the rumoured (and probably more authentic) 16 Core PowerPC CPU that XBox 720/Durango will hold.
- The entire board seems to be x86. The CPU, GPU all desktop grade (not even mobile, to save power). If that is the case, why not simply build a PC in a case and sell it as the Playstation 4?
- Even if it were a quad-core, that too based on AMD’s Steamroller ala Bulldozer enhanced cores, there is serious doubt that it would be clocked at a lowly 3.2GHz. Taking into consideration a 2014 release, we can hope for a 22nm or 20nm manufacturing process. We also know that Bulldozer cores are weak at lower frequencies (they were built to perform by operating at higher frequencies after all), so 3.2GHz on that architecture, with just 4 cores would just be another word for “FLOPâ€.
- I don’t see a world where the successor to the mighty and powerful Playstation 3 (with the octa-core Cell processor) would have a weaker processor inside it’s successor, that too nearly after a decade.
READ THE ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE: The Leaked PS4 Specifications are Bull$h!T
1) Using a simplified design makes more sense. It reduces bottlenecks , increase efficiency and reduce additional cost of addition third party hardware.
2) The Fusion APU from 28nm will be bring some serious grunt both in CPU/ GPU and in compute performance (which really matter for visual devices such as PS4)
3) Well they will be fine tuning and making custom chip solutions to make it stand out when compared to plain x86 based pc.
4) Bulldozer ! = Steamroller , though it is based on the same shared concept. Steamroller will feature a complete remake so it will have much better IPC and works well with low clock speed.(Quoting AMD CTO words)
5) Its not about being powerful, what about having 8-16 cores if you cannot utilize it , plus when developers cant even utilize 4 cores whats the matter of shipping with 16 core. Add to that (if the specs aretrue) the compute power/ope cl/gl will seriously help developers draw game and utilize the system to its full potential.
Other than that take everything with a bag of salt