They can license X86 without a fee paid directly to Intel. In addition to this, they have more flexibility as to whom can fab the X86 style of CPU. Now both of the major contract fabricators, TSMC and Global Foundries have a license to fab the chips the console makers have a lot more choices.

In terms of console design, its a lot easier to qualify and produce a console based of pre-existing technology. They would not have to send out development kits early on because any software which was designed to run on X86 could run on their consoles. This speeds up time to market and enables the console maker to keep the existance of a new console that much closer to their chests. So just because we haven't heard about it, doesn't mean it isn't coming. The only people who would need to know would be the executives, they can tell their staff to build a game for PC and target X specification.

Who is the best bet for Nintendo at the moment for low power, higher performance designs? Arm is too weak, Power PC just doesn't have the low power options and with X86 they can go AMD and get high performance graphics on the chip and from just the one vendor with built in power management options.

I also expect Microsoft would be seriously considering a return to X86 as well. Given the time-frames, Bulldozer/Llano would be quite a good match for their console, especially if they target late 2012 with a quick shrink to 22nm in 2013/2014 close at hand. A system on a chip makes a lot of sense given the form factor and cost requirements for a console. They more than anyone understand how much easier it is to manage one thermal spot rather than two.

 A system on a chip makes a lot of sense given the form factor and cost requirements for a console. They more than anyone understand how much easier it is to manage one thermal spot rather than two.

Is there any current benchmark that could give us a glimpse of what to expect of next gen graphics? Supposing it is a graphics leap as big as PS2->PS3

I'm always curious to find that out...

Is there any current benchmark that could give us a glimpse of what to expect of next gen graphics? Supposing it is a graphics leap as big as PS2->PS3

I'm always curious to find that out...

Check Metro 2033 maxed out screenshots if next gen comes in 2012.

lol I'd be very disappointed if next gen don't look better than that. Metro 2033 is not significantly better looking than Uncharted 2.

I expect at least twice nicer looking than that Haven benchmark. A Haven with more polygons and sharper textures.

lol I'd be very disappointed if next gen don't look better than that. Metro 2033 is not significantly better looking than Uncharted 2.

I expect at least twice nicer looking than that Haven benchmark. A Haven with more polygons and sharper textures.

I'm not speaking about console version of metro. If you expect more than Haven benchmark it won't be possible in consoles before 2015 i think we are at least one or more probably two generations of GPUs from point of having games with details like this.

Let's assume that Metro 2033 maxed out does indeed look like UC2 (which it doesn't, not even by a long stretch) or GoW3 (same) you have to keep in mind that there were some heavy restrictions on those games. The only reason GoW3 loked to good is ebcause the developers had absolutely full control of the camera and what you could see. SO while it looked good wherever the camera was pointed at, I guarantee you that the textures and scenery dropped out the moment you could move the camera.

I'm not speaking about console version of metro. If you expect more than Haven benchmark it won't be possible in consoles before 2015 i think we are at least one or more probably two generations of GPUs from point of having games with details like this.