AMD Working on Graphics Processor for PlayStation

[DJ aka GDR DJ]

AMD Working on Graphics Processor for PlayStation

 

Sony PlayStation 4 May Be Powered by AMD

 

 

It is well known that Sony Corp. is developing the next iteration of the popular PlayStation console, the PlayStation 4. What remains unknown is the hardware that powers it. According to a media report, the PlayStation 4 will utilize graphics processing technology designed by Advanced Micro Devices.

 

A former employees of AMD told Forbes web-site that the company is working on a graphics processing technology for the next-generation PlayStation 4 video game console. The ex-employees did not provide any actual details or evidence about the actual proceedings and also naturally remained anonymous.

 

At present the information should be considered as a rumour as a custom AMD Radeon graphics chip inside the PS4 means that Sony will either have to drop compatibility with PS3 titles on its new consoles, or pay additional royalties to Nvidia Corp., whose chips power the current PlayStation 3 system.

 

In case the rumours about AMD's custom Radeon graphics processors inside Xbox Next (Loop, Durango) as well as PlayStation 4 are correct, then the company has a reason to celebrate: it is a massive success to power all three next-generation consoles from all three major platform holders, Microsoft, Nintendo, Sony). Such position on the market may be very favourable for AMD as it will allow it to scale its graphics processing architecture beyond consoles, which are the primary game platforms nowadays, to new types of hardware that will be the gaming platforms of tomorrow.

 

 

Among other advantages, Radeon HD architecture inside every next-generation consoles will provide AMD a major advantage on the market of personal computers as all major game designers will have to optimize their titles for AMD architecture and therefore the Radeon graphics chips for PCs will have an advantage over competing solutions.

 

However, developing of three separate graphics cores for the next-gen video game consoles means that AMD will have to offload resources from other projects, such as next-generation GPUs for PC or ultra-portables, and dedicate them to development of new solutions for console platform holders.

 

AMD and Sony did not comment on the news-story

 

source

[Chuckun]

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this.. Part of me thinks it's purely bullshit and neither parties deny it because for Sony it's good publicity for rumours to fly about, and for AMD it makes them sound better..

 

But the other half of me thinks that it is actually highly possible.. There's no doubt in my mind that AMD are fully capable of producing absolutely top-notch, top-end hardware.. But the way I've always seen it is they tend to stick to the lower-budget market to provide a decent solution to those with smaller budgets.. I think with the right deal, they could produce whatever was needed..

 

EDIT: I sort of hope they don't have any involvement with the next generation consoles actually.. I never buy AMD so it makes no difference to me, but I know a lot of people rely on AMD as their primary option due to the better value for money.. If they up their game, they'll up their prices.. And they'll no longer be the quality budget option so many people turn to.. And a lot of people wont be able to afford anything decent any more.. They may even shoot above Nvidia prices if they do pull off contracts for next gen consoles..

[Jefke]

I'm not entirely sure what to make of this.. Part of me thinks it's purely bullshit and neither parties deny it because for Sony it's good publicity for rumours to fly about, and for AMD it makes them sound better..

 

But the other half of me thinks that it is actually highly possible.. There's no doubt in my mind that AMD are fully capable of producing absolutely top-notch, top-end hardware.. But the way I've always seen it is they tend to stick to the lower-budget market to provide a decent solution to those with smaller budgets.. I think with the right deal, they could produce whatever was needed..

 

EDIT: I sort of hope they don't have any involvement with the next generation consoles actually.. I never buy AMD so it makes no difference to me, but I know a lot of people rely on AMD as their primary option due to the better value for money.. If they up their game, they'll up their prices.. And they'll no longer be the quality budget option so many people turn to.. And a lot of people wont be able to afford anything decent any more.. They may even shoot above Nvidia prices if they do pull off contracts for next gen consoles..

 

just for the record amd (well ati...) already have provided the videocard for the xbox360

 

Atm has AMD the best videocard (Nvidia will probably do better when they release their new cards)...

But yeah, amd is most of the time aimed for 'bang for the bucks'.

 

sidenote: in the current mac there are also AMD graphics .

 

 

[/AMD fanboy mode: off]

 

I hope they get it so they have higher profit rates: don't forget there is another part of AMD. The cpu part and that part really needs some more competition, now it's totally dominated by Intel (in the high end segment) and Intel has way more money then AMD to invest. So I kind of hope they get the contracts.

Edited February 24, 2012 by DrJoske

[Chuckun]

just for the record amd (well ati...) already have provided the videocard for the xbox360

 

Atm has AMD the best videocard (Nvidia will probably do better when they release their new cards)...

But yeah, amd is most of the time aimed for 'bang for the bucks'.

 

sidenote: in the current mac there are also AMD graphics .

 

 

[/AMD fanboy mode: off]

 

Shows how much I know! I am pretty useless with most PC hardware though so that's not surprising