JEMC said:
I agree that hardware is the main problem for an early 2019 launch, but in my oponion it's more because of the GPU part rather than the CPU. Both Scorpio and PS4Pro feature a Polaris 10 (RX 480/580) part, with some Vega enhancements, and that's the best AMD has on offer right now in the mainstream segment, which is the one Sony would look for unless they want to launch a more expensive PS5. There are rumors that AMD may have Vega 11 to replace Polaris 10, but given how Vega 56 performs, the jump in performance from such part would be very small if at all. Given that Vega 20 will only be a refresh on a smaller node, and will launch late next year, we'll have to wait for Navi to see real improvements and something worth a new gen of consoles. |
It's true that AMD has been stagnating on the GPU side. But in terms of console GPU performance, I think we will see at least GTX 1080 (12TFLOPS in GCN) levels of performance, better if they wait for newer architecture. Of course the high GPU prices will prevent them from getting that level of performance in APUs this early. But I do think that's a decent enough jump, enough to follow the 4K standard set by these mid-gen refreshes (I do expect the majority of PS5 games to be native 4K) and still have enough headroom to push visuals over current gen graphics, especially considering the jump in CPU performance we'll get will be much larger than PS360 to PS4One was. That opens up new opportunities in game design and possibly allow for more 60fps games.
| Alby_da_Wolf said:
Definitely agree, not to mention that AMD must rely on third party foundries for production (and it had to fight with Intel in tribunals to be allowed to completely end internal production, become financially unsustainable, and start totally outsourcing, as Intel, through some one-sided parts of their cross-licensing deals, wanted to prevent the outsourcing of x86 CPUs production) while cryptocurrency mining is keeping GPU and memory prices high, so it's both more likely a delay than an acceleration in the CPU and APU roadmap and unlikely an early drop in GPU and memory prices. APUs like those used in base model consoles are maybe in a better situation, particularly if they are customised models made on console makers specifications, as their production and prices are established on deals between AMD and console makers and not directly subject to end-user market volatility, that anyway still indirectly influences them, particularly if and when, after the initial deals, the console maker needs a larger production increase than initially agreed. The later they start producing PS5, the more likely production will have caught up with miners demand, possibly with mining-taylored cards with their own market, ending the current GPU price turmoil. |
For some reason I missed your post, I'm still not familiar with this site's notification system. Anyway, absolutely. It's a win-win for everyone.
