Future Console CPU-GPU solutions - Revisited - PS4 Example

[freedquaker]

I already like the upcoming generation with PS4, the new Xbox, and the Steam Box (while I totally ignore the Wii U). I like PS4 especially because

a) Sony have come to their senses and implemented the x86 architecture

b) Included lots of fast RAM in the system

c) Kept the costs relatively down the CPU solution and other components

d) Chose AMD and Fusion Architecture (or rather Bobcat - Jaguar).

e) Sound a lot more humbled this time etc...

I want to reiterate that my predictions, as always, were right on spot! I want to quote my own post from 2010. http://gamrconnect.vgchartz.com/thread.php?id=119706&page=1#

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Part 1 - on 16 November 2010

The Memories in computers are not improving as fast as they used to, so the next generation console systems are likely to include several GBs of RAM, and several Hundred GBs of Hard drives as given. On the other hand, the CPUs and especially the GPUs are still improving remarkably. However, they are also the major source inside consoles. They cause instabilities such as overheating, they are usually victimised by the system bottlenecks since they are, by definition, the fastest parts of the system, they cost the most among all others, and they are subject to the most fierce competition. In short they are of the most crucial importance of the system.

In addition to all that, we know that a system is only as fast as its slowest piece. In CPU - GPU solutions, one of those components are always the bottleneck (apart from the other unavoidable memory bottlenecks). Therefore it is logical to try to balance the power of those two. Given all that, it makes a lot of sense to create a cost effective and integrated CPU-GPU design like the AMD Fusion / Zacate.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4023/the-brazos-performance-preview-amd-e350-benchmarked

This kind of approach, although not up to the modern mainstream CPU performance levels yet, is very effective in providing a very balanced and reasonable CPU-GPU performance with a very cost effective and power efficient way. I believe that should be the future of console CPU-GPU solutions. It's not only efficient & cost effective but also easily scalable. In other words, the APU (CPU-GPU package) can easily be upgraded without further complications.

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Part 2 - on 17 November 2010

Now let's think about the power of Xbox, Gamecube and wii in CPU and GPU terms and then compare it with the first AMD APU model (Zacate).

Xbox used a modified P3 - Celeron hybrid at 733 Mhz and was easily faster than GC. The wii has twice the CPU power. Given that Zacate is easily faster than Dual Atom cores, which in return is much faster than P3, Zacate's performance should already be ahead of wii.

Xbox's GPU was something between Geforce2 & 3 as I remember, ahead of GC then. Wii should have roughly the same graphics capability as Xbox. Zacate, in this regard, is generations beyond wii, and should be comparable to Xbox 360.

Now that APU is only the beginning of the story, and specifically designed to be cost effective. That architecture will have been improven in the next couple of years, and the more flexible designs in a larger die or higher buses within, with more cores etc, has the potential to deliver a much better performance.

Guys, please remember that the GPU is the bottleneck in most games. Only few games are CPU intensive (like Starcraft 2), which can be reprogrammed accordingly. I haven't even mentioned the power and cost efficiency of the solution. They will be utilized on netbook and cheap ultraportables for God's sake!

Even the very first APU gives you a performance way beyond Xbox/wii and not too far from Xbox360. On top of all that, they are very programming friendly! I bet they can still easily design an APU today that will top both Xbox360 and PS3,  for a lower cost than their rivals respectively.

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