This thread is, as the title states, about posting our predictions about the 3DS specs.

Mine is that the CPU is about as powerful as the Gamecube's, and possibly has a vector or integer unit to help with rendering flexibility. I predict the real power is in the GPU, not only to help with all the extra effects shown in the games, but also a much larger frame buffer for the 3D of course.

I also get the feeling that even though the specs will be as strong as the GC's, the form of them will seem like the DS, to accommodate the general system similarities.

EDIT: Sorry this was a lump of text at first. The rich text system has been inconsistent since the site change. Is there a thread discussing that already?

The CPU has to be stronger than the Wii. It needs to render images twice to each so that the 3D effect can be achieved. The GPU seems stronger a little reaching Wii level graphics. Although i can't really tell after seeing the Resident Evil and Metal Gear Solid shots. They look crisp, reaching or surpassing PSP visuals.

It also has 2GB of storage game cards for launch meaning that higher cards are going to be availabe later on. 3D cameras are also impressive and the feature of viewing 3D movies seems like it would require a really good battery and impressive CPU power.

The GPU renders the images, not the CPU. So it would have to be that which has the most power.

I predict that it will be more powerful than my Sega Genesis and less powerful than a PS3. What do I win?

This is predictions, not bets. And if it were, you'd get about $1 for such hedging.

Well, things we know...

-has dedicated VRAM pool (unusual for SOC design)

-GPU made by Japanese firm (NEC/DMP speculated)

-ARM series CPU (backwards compatibility)

-Uses programmable shaders, effects already shown in demos include bump mapping, self shadowing, normal mapping and specular highlights

-geometry counts comparable/above PSP, everything must be rendered twice for 3D

-contains flash memory, Nikkei implied full game download to internal memory (so more than 2GB)

...going off all that, in terms of consoles I'd say it's most likely closest to the original Xbox in power.

Everything averaged out, it'll be around the power of the GameCube. 

- It'll have less geometry and the graphics in those terms will seem to be on par with the Dreamcast

- It'll have programmable shaders and so the graphics on those terms will seem to be above anything seen on Wii

The main reason behind the console looking weaker in the graphics department to the GameCube is 3D and also the fact that it has to output graphics to two screens, and not just the one. I'm sure developers that want to get the most out of the system will try to limit the strain on the system by focusing on the top screen and dial down the FPS to the point that 2D looks better than 3D mode due to flickering (unless Nintendo has that locked so devs can't do that).

i predict the 3ds to be around the gamecube power level, mabey just under it as its handheld.

With Kid Icarus being the best example of graphics so far, and taking Mario Sunshine or Metroid Prime as a comparison since those games were near launch, I'd say the 3DS doesn't render as many objects or as big levels as the Gamecube but what it does render is of Gamecube quality.

Since Sunshine is my threshold of 'better graphics become a nice to have', that's great.

It will do a MILLION BILLION BLINGILLION OOGIEFLOPS per second

And slap your arse while you're not looking