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Forums - Nintendo - Could optimizing the Wii U OS free up more RAM for games?

curl-6 on 27 March 2013
Mazty said:
curl-6 said:
Mazty said:
Yes but ultimately is there a need? Would ports utilise the extra ram? Unlikely as most ports never bothered to use most of the Cell processor.
Exclusives could use the RAM but again, is there really a need? Considering it looks like both the PS4 and nextbox will use 8GB of RAM, freeing up an extra 256mb (if that) seems a waste of time.

It's easier to use extra RAM than an architecturally challenging processor though. A little bit more wiggle room could make the difference between, "a cut down port is possible" and "porting would be impossible."

I doubt it will happen myself, but its a possibility, no? Didn't they do it with the 3DS?


Yeah I suppose it would make things easier, and maybe certain things more console specific e.g. DLC could harness such a thing. Is it possible? Certainl, however I would be surprised if it was used. 

So would I, it doesn't seem like the sort of thing Nintendo would do, but hey, a man can dream.



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S.T.A.G.E. on 27 March 2013

Theres no need to free up any ram on the Wii U. Next gen is coming and even freeing up a little bit more space wouldnt help anything. Too much wasted energy.



Cobretti2 on 27 March 2013

they probably reserving the ram for dual gamepad support in the future at this stage.



 

 

TheLastStarFighter on 27 March 2013

Absolutely, and I'm sure it's likely. I think the 50:50 split is just the starting point. The Wii U OS doesn't seem too intensive to me. When you think that games and OS together ran on .5 gig on PS360, the Wii U OS could maybe used that much or less.

Games on NextBox are expected to have about 4 gig available to them, while the Windows 8 based OS uses the other 4. If NextBox games are using 4 gig (max), it's not a stretch to say those same multiplats could be played on 1.5+ gig, with some downgrades or optimization. PS2 had 50% of the XBox RAM but most of the games were the same.

Now, if PS4 games truly push out the 8 gig of memory it may or may not make porting difficult. I think Nintendo expected Sony to go with 4 gig. But regardless, a 50% jump in RAM space would be significant, and not out of the question.



Aquietguy on 27 March 2013
curl-6 said:

At present, the Wii U's RAM is split in half; 1GB for the OS, 1GB for gaming. While this is still more than twice as much as the PS3 and 360 have available for games, more could be a big help as games continue to become more memory intensive.

Over their lifespans, the Xbox 360 and PS3 had more RAM freed up for games by Sony/MS optimising their OS's; could Nintendo do the same with Wii U?


I thought they were already working on this.



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Suke on 27 March 2013

I can see it happening in the future. I hope they release an update where you can control the console with using the gamepad at all.


Maybe if they stop pushing the gamepad just a bit like they stop pushing the 3D on the 3DS, maybe they attracted third party devs.



“Don’t follow the hype, follow the games”

— 

Here a little quote I want for those to keep memorize in your head for this coming next gen.                            

 By: Suke