The rumours that have come out about the Wii U's hardware are vague and (often) contradictory, and it is likely we won’t have a decent idea of what it is really capable of until after E3.

The early suggestion of a multi-core IBM CPU and a GPU based on ATI’s R700 seemed entirely reasonable. Being that this hardware is hardly new, Nintendo would (likely) optimize and customize the hardware increasing the performance while reducing the cost and energy consumption, and this hardware would have been in the range of 4 times the power of the HD consoles when it was initially released, if Nintendo went this route I highly doubt that the Wii U would be that similar to the performance of either HD console.

With that said, I highly doubt people will really see a "generational" jump in performance from any console in the next generation. Between the diminishing returns of hardware performance, the massive budget required to make games to take advantage of it, and the high costs associated with the HD consoles at launch I don't think anyone is going to repeat the strategy of the HD consoles this generation; after all, who would want to buy a $600+ console with $70+ games ...

i think you are forgetting that a factor in the size of the ps2 and xbox was the harddrive slot they both had

All these people analysising specs drives me potty.

All you need to do is look at what the machine will hopefully be capable of.

Not only will the machine be capable of 1080p resolutions on most games which neither the PS3 or Xbox 360 are capable of doing but at the same time as doing this it will have to stream 480p graphics to at least 1 Pad if not 2. So if you think that 1080p is 5 times the resolution of 480p. The wii U will infact be capable of running 7 times standard definition.

The chipset for the graphics card has been rumoured for sometime and this chipset has its own (on PCs anyway) 1GB RAM. 768MB shared will not be the case IMO.

The Processor if Quad core is at least 25 percent more power than the Xbox due the additional core and from memory the Xbox only uses 1 core for gameplay and the other 2 for other functions.

And finally when will people learn thats its not all about the Graphics. This machine will especially if it has 2 pads provide some amazing new gameplay experiences and I am really looking forward to its release .

Wow. If you get so pissed when people argue with you then maybe you shouldn't be on a forum? Hhhmm?

Twist your  words. Lol. I said exactly why the bar can be raised much higher than the PS360 despite the size of the box butof course you hate people arguing against your points.

I'm not wasting anymore time with you. Good day, sir.

Your explanation was bad examples.

Any what's my point? The size of the Wii U may pose some limitations in regards to delivering cutting edge technology. That's simply a fact.

Gaming laptops and all in one PCs with gaming GPUs demonstrate current game level graphical processing tech can be easily engineered to fit into small form factor packages.

Will anyone be engineering a tablet sized device with a GTX 580? Of course not. Nor a GTX 570, GTX 560, etc. which require more power to operate and generate more heat, requiring significant active cooling solutions. But none of those GPUs can be currently produced for less than $100 (nowhere near this price point, regardless of production scale) either making the whole "cutting edge" factor moot. 

Mobile GPU chipsets on the other hand can be cooled by miniature fans that fit into a sub 1" chassis. Mobile GPU chipsets that easily provide more graphical processing power than the RSX or R500 based Xenos GPU.

Regardless, cutting edge technology is not the issue for the Wii U. Cost will be, as is always the case with Nintendo, which is why the rumored R700 based GPU seems all the more plausible. HD4850 level of graphical processing power, at least 50-100% more than the RSX or R500 (extreme low ball estimate), in a GPU than can be produced for maybe $50, probably less. 

Unlike gaming PC rigs, GPUs in consoles do not constitute 1/3rd up to 1/2 (in extreme multi card builds) of the hardware costs. Keep in mind that at its most expensive, the RSX had an iSuppli estimate of about $85 for a $599 retail console. 

They were huge factors, especially considering that both had bays for full-sized 3.5" HDDs. Lots of empty space in the original PS2. And as for the orginal Xbox; like they said, comfortably housed a family of four. 

The Wii U doesn't have a bay for a small for even a 2.5" HDD by constrast. A 3.5" HDD would take up about half the overall internal volume of the Wii. 

And we're done.

exit52000 said: All these people analysising specs drives me potty. All you need to do is look at what the machine will hopefully be capable of. Not only will the machine be capable of 1080p resolutions on most games which neither the PS3 or Xbox 360 are capable of doing but at the same time as doing this it will have to stream 480p graphics to at least 1 Pad if not 2. So if you think that 1080p is 5 times the resolution of 480p. The wii U will infact be capable of running 7 times standard definition. The chipset for the graphics card has been rumoured for sometime and this chipset has its own (on PCs anyway) 1GB RAM. 768MB shared will not be the case IMO. The Processor if Quad core is at least 25 percent more power than the Xbox due the additional core and from memory the Xbox only uses 1 core for gameplay and the other 2 for other functions. And finally when will people learn thats its not all about the Graphics. This machine will especially if it has 2 pads provide some amazing new gameplay experiences and I am really looking forward to its release .

Where did you get that it will run most games at 1080p?

Reggie said its capable of 1080p. So are PS3 and Xbox 360. You're just assuming these games are going to run at native 1080p? This is Nintendo. They sell their consoles at a profit.

VGKing said: exit52000 said: All these people analysising specs drives me potty. All you need to do is look at what the machine will hopefully be capable of. Not only will the machine be capable of 1080p resolutions on most games which neither the PS3 or Xbox 360 are capable of doing but at the same time as doing this it will have to stream 480p graphics to at least 1 Pad if not 2. So if you think that 1080p is 5 times the resolution of 480p. The wii U will infact be capable of running 7 times standard definition. The chipset for the graphics card has been rumoured for sometime and this chipset has its own (on PCs anyway) 1GB RAM. 768MB shared will not be the case IMO. The Processor if Quad core is at least 25 percent more power than the Xbox due the additional core and from memory the Xbox only uses 1 core for gameplay and the other 2 for other functions. And finally when will people learn thats its not all about the Graphics. This machine will especially if it has 2 pads provide some amazing new gameplay experiences and I am really looking forward to its release . Where did you get that it will run most games at 1080p? Reggie said its capable of 1080p. So are PS3 and Xbox 360. You're just assuming these games are going to run at native 1080p? This is Nintendo. They sell their consoles at a profit.

A HD4850 can run (native render) most games of the current generation at 1920x1080, typically over 30fps depending on the level of added effects and AA. 

Until I hear anything compelling that convinces me otherwise, I'll accept the concensus among most major reports that the AMD R700 design will be used for the final production GPU. 

As for costs, the R700 is mature technology (2008), meaning the per unit cost on chips from AMD will probably be about or under $50, which for a $300-400 retail price console design, is pretty consistent with former consoles. 

But yes, stating 1080p capable could mean anything from "plays 1080p video" to natively renders games visuals at 1920x1080. Quite a difference.