(Rumored) XBox2 specs hint at the 976?
Hey all!
XBitlabs has posted a brief transcript of the currently rumored XBox 2 specs at:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mmedia/...426094105.html
Check out the processor specs: 3X 3.5GHz+ cores!?! At least I'm assuming it's three cores and not three discrete processors: note the shared 1MB L2 cache.
Pretty impressive stuff. Now how does this relate to "Future Hardware"? Well, given that the rumored release date of the XBox2 is hovering around mid 2005 right now, is this the kind of horsepower that's going to be powering the next generation of towers?
Egads!
-John
XBitlabs has posted a brief transcript of the currently rumored XBox 2 specs at:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mmedia/...426094105.html
Check out the processor specs: 3X 3.5GHz+ cores!?! At least I'm assuming it's three cores and not three discrete processors: note the shared 1MB L2 cache.
Pretty impressive stuff. Now how does this relate to "Future Hardware"? Well, given that the rumored release date of the XBox2 is hovering around mid 2005 right now, is this the kind of horsepower that's going to be powering the next generation of towers?
Egads!
-John
Comments
Originally posted by bangstudios
Hey all!
XBitlabs has posted a brief transcript of the currently rumored XBox 2 specs at:
http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/mmedia/...426094105.html
Check out the processor specs: 3X 3.5GHz+ cores!?! At least I'm assuming it's three cores and not three discrete processors: note the shared 1MB L2 cache.
Pretty impressive stuff. Now how does this relate to "Future Hardware"? Well, given that the rumored release date of the XBox2 is hovering around mid 2005 right now, is this the kind of horsepower that's going to be powering the next generation of towers?
Egads!
-John
I think it is more interesting that IBM is already working on 65nm chips.
Originally posted by oldmacfan
I think it is more interesting that IBM is already working on 65nm chips.
Fair game -- especially given the issues IBM has had going to 90.
Just thinking about this for a second: if the processor specs are to be believed, and if the 976 scales with clock speed in a similar fashion to the 970, a (VERY rudimentary) calculation results in the assertion that a "single processor" (three core) 976 running at 3.5GHz will be over 2 1/2 times faster than a dual 2.0 G5?!?
Again, egads!
-John
It's definitely looking like the Xbox 2 is going to be a "Lifestyle Device" and not simply a game machine.
I'm thinking it's going to be $500-$700 and contain just about everything but the kitchen sink.
DVD Burner
Game Player(duh)
PVR
Music Management/Home Networking
Looks like Microsofts Trojan Horse into the home. It'll go where Media PCs cannot.
Originally posted by hmurchison
DVD Burner
Game Player(duh)
PVR
Music Management/Home Networking
Looks like Microsofts Trojan Horse into the home. It'll go where Media PCs cannot.
Last time I spoke with my contact, still no hard drive. Makes a PVR somewhat difficult.
Originally posted by bangstudios
Just thinking about this for a second: if the processor specs are to be believed, and if the 976 scales with clock speed in a similar fashion to the 970, a (VERY rudimentary) calculation results in the assertion that a "single processor" (three core) 976 running at 3.5GHz will be over 2 1/2 times faster than a dual 2.0 G5?!?
You don't have enough information to be making guesses at how performance compares to current machines.
Originally posted by audiopollution
Last time I spoke with my contact, still no hard drive. Makes a PVR somewhat difficult.
Yes understandable. I assume that MS will be offering Good/Better/Best models.
If this diagram is correct there definitely is support for a HD in the ASIC. I have to think that MS is going to tailor this much like Sony's PSX system as not "just" a game machine but a whole entertainment device.
Rooster
As for the Xbox 2, it's just going to be another failed attempt for MS. XBox 1 lost them about 200 million dollars or something (maybe more). XBox 2 won't lose them as much because fewer people will buy it. People won't pay 500-700 dollars for a crappy lifestyle device, and they won't pay that much for a crappy game console.
Unless MS finds some crazy way to get *games that don't suck serious ass* on their platform, it's sunk. (and they won't, because good game programmers would rather program for PS2 or 3. . . long story, but just realize this is the case.)
Anyway, it seems hard to understand how MS is going to deal with a device that should cost in the $1200 range at least other than to simply hemorrage money the way they do with the Xbox right now.
Bottom line: I don't think the "976" is going to be in the Xbox 2.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
The Cell won't be so conventional.
As for the Xbox 2, it's just going to be another failed attempt for MS. XBox 1 lost them about 200 million dollars or something (maybe more). XBox 2 won't lose them as much because fewer people will buy it. People won't pay 500-700 dollars for a crappy lifestyle device, and they won't pay that much for a crappy game console.
Unless MS finds some crazy way to get *games that don't suck serious ass* on their platform, it's sunk. (and they won't, because good game programmers would rather program for PS2 or 3. . . long story, but just realize this is the case.)
Anyway, it seems hard to understand how MS is going to deal with a device that should cost in the $1200 range at least other than to simply hemorrage money the way they do with the Xbox right now.
Bottom line: I don't think the "976" is going to be in the Xbox 2.
What is $200 million to Microsoft. It is like you or me loosing a penny. Means absolutely nothing. MS will win the game console market. Why? Because they can afford to loose a billion dollars a year and not even blink. Hell they may make an X-box with those specs and sell it for the same amount and absolutely crush the competition. MS will win, no doubt about that at all.
Originally posted by Programmer
You don't have enough information to be making guesses at how performance compares to current machines.
You're correct ... thus the "VERY rudimentary" qualifier. I simply went clock-to-clock.
Do you have any other information? The tone of your comment would suggest that you do ... please share, if so.
-John
I think it is more interesting that IBM is already working on 65nm chips.
Would be nice to see IBM master 90nm first before moving on to other endeavors.
Originally posted by Programmer
I have lots of information, but it is all covered by NDA. Suffice it to say that I read many of these postings with a great deal of amusement.
AARRGH, bastard! We also want to know.
Originally posted by Programmer
I have lots of information, but it is all covered by NDA. Suffice it to say that I read many of these postings with a great deal of amusement.
This MUST be bloody entertaining for you, then!
Well, if the 976 specs are anywhere near what's shown in the block diagram, I'm impressed.
-John
Now I guess they should have banned me rather than just shut off posting priviledges, because kickaha and Amorph definitely aren't going to like being called to task when they thought they had it all ignored *cough* *cough* I mean under control. Just a couple o' tools.
Don't worry, as soon as my work resetting my posts is done I'll disappear forever.
Now I guess they should have banned me rather than just shut off posting priviledges, because kickaha and Amorph definitely aren't going to like being called to task when they thought they had it all ignored *cough* *cough* I mean under control. Just a couple o' tools.
Don't worry, as soon as my work resetting my posts is done I'll disappear forever.
Originally posted by AirSluf
One doesn't even need an NDA to read FH with amusement!
Agreed!
The best $46.00 spent every month is AI in broadband. The rest is gravy.
Originally posted by Programmer
I have lots of information, but it is all covered by NDA. Suffice it to say that I read many of these postings with a great deal of amusement.
I guess it's gone to your head then. Try some humility.
Originally posted by Splinemodel
Bottom line: I don't think the "976" is going to be in the Xbox 2.
Your right that it's not the 976.
Microsoft is having their processor designed for them specifically. They are doing the same thing Sony is doing with IBM only Sony is using a technology that is pretty much the first of it's kind. Apple will probably follow in this direction (integrating some CELL technology into it's brand PC's) depending on the results. I would hope they would anyway. But that is still a long ways off, and few processors past the 976.