What devs have asked for 8GB on a console? I thought I read one.. .maybe valve that asked for 6 or more than 4 or something similar.

Crytek:  next generation of consoles should have “a minimum” of 8GB’s of RAM... both the 360 and the PS3 are running on 512MB of DDR3 RAM, which Sousa described as “the biggest crippling factor from a visual perspective.”

DICE: "Two gigabytes would not be enough when it comes to RAM [random access memory]" Andersson said. "Four gigabytes would work. Eight gigabytes? Yeah. I think that would be perfect when it comes to memory." 

SE: Enix believes the PS4 and Xbox 8 will need as much RAM as possible if they want to match the experience of PCs with ever-evolving hardware. So no specific amount given here, but I doubt, and I think you'll agree, that "as much RAM as possible" = 2gb.

As for CPU/GPU, even if memory is 2-3x times, I dont' think that means by default you can expect CPU/GPU to be 2-3x greater. While I think that variance is likely, it could technically be much larger. So 2-3x is like the minumum, or it's unlikely to be any lower?

Again, I had read the most recent rumors that Microsofts outing won't be out until spring 2014.  That's approx 1.5 years.  PS4 isn't even on the horizon.  In any case, both consoles are conjecture because neither have actually even been shown, even in concept form.  The timetable for these consoles is completely unknown, but more likely to be farther away than closer.  We first saw WiiU at E3 last year.  Its coming out a year and a half after that.  If Microsoft or sony shows off their next console tomorrow, we can likely expect it a year to a year and a half after.  Unless they pull a Sega Saturn, and release the console a week after they tell anyone it even exists.

Crytek:  next generation of consoles should have “a minimum” of 8GB’s of RAM... both the 360 and the PS3 are running on 512MB of DDR3 RAM, which Sousa described as “the biggest crippling factor from a visual perspective.”

DICE: "Two gigabytes would not be enough when it comes to RAM [random access memory]" Andersson said. "Four gigabytes would work. Eight gigabytes? Yeah. I think that would be perfect when it comes to memory." 

SE: Enix believes the PS4 and Xbox 8 will need as much RAM as possible if they want to match the experience of PCs with ever-evolving hardware. So no specific amount given here, but I doubt, and I think you'll agree, that "as much RAM as possible" = 2gb.

As for CPU/GPU, even if memory is 2-3x times, I dont' think that means by default you can expect CPU/GPU to be 2-3x greater. While I think that variance is likely, it could technically be much larger. So 2-3x is like the minumum, or it's unlikely to be any lower?

MS first showed the 360 at E3 2005... same year it launched. There's no reason they won't wait until as late as E3 and still launch in 2013 holiday. Granted, it becomes more unlikely the longer it goes and definitely not happeing if its not shown at that E3.

I keep hearing that from people who likely were young and/or weren't really paying attention to gaming news back in 2003'ish time.

We knew about the XBOX 360 (XBOX 2) well before Microsoft's official announcement at E3 2005.   For example, in 2003, We knew AMD were doing the GPU because they announced it, and Microsoft followed it up a few days later.  My point is, is there's always a lead time before a home console launch....no less than a year of lead time in fact.

"Known during development as Xbox Next, Xenon, Xbox 2, Xbox FS or NextBox,[21] the Xbox 360 was conceived in early 2003.[22] In February 2003, planning for the Xenon software platform began, and was headed by Microsoft's Vice President J Allard.[22] That month, Microsoft held an event for 400 developers in Bellevue, Washington to recruit support for the system.[22] Also that month, Peter Moore, former president of Sega of America, joined Microsoft. On August 12, 2003, ATI signed on to produce the graphic processing unit for the new console, a deal which was publicly announced two days later."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xbox_360

Are you serious???? We know every company is making somethign years before its announced. Fucking stupidist shit I've ever heard. So what 720 is considered officially known since 2007 then???

Here maybe you need more.....This is MICROSOFT confirming XBOX 2 is on the way in August 2003.  Smoking guns like this can't be discounted....not even by you, superchunk.

ATI wins bid for next Xbox

"We selected ATI after reviewing the top graphics technologies in development and determining that ATI's technical vision fits perfectly with the future direction of Xbox," Robbie Bach, senior vice president of Microsoft's home and entertainment division, said in a statement.http://news.cnet.com/2100-1043_3-5063661.html

Again....when console developers are truly ready to bring consoles, we always know about it......always.