d21lewis said: I'm on board. Hope they release more details about what exactly it can do. I'm kinda jumping in blind, here. Mostly just hoping it does what I think it should do. |
Do you mean what new it can do versus the standard model? If so, here's a run-down:
The primary hardware changes:
GPU: 1.83tf (18 Radeon GCN units at 800MHz) is now 4.2tf (36 "improved" GCN units at 911Mhz).
CPU: 8 cores at 1.6Ghz is now 8 cores at 2.1Ghz
Memory: 8GB GDDR5 at 176GB/s is now 8GB GDDR5 at 218GB/s + 1GB DDR3 (the 1GB DDR3 is used for non-gaming tasks to free up some GDDR5 for games)
The primary purpose of the Pro (so where the above upgrades will usually be focused) is offering better image quality. The Pro doesn't have the power to run most AAA titles at a native 4k (because of when it's releasing, and Sony's focus on price), so they're relying on a 'checkerboard' process to make up for the difference between where they're hitting, and a native image. The general idea is you render part of the image (2x1080p, appears to be the minimum), then use various techniques that we'll simply refer to as 'wizardy shit' to essentially predict the missing pixels, creating a final 4k image. The end result (based on DF's reports) offers superior IQ to if you simply stretched out the native render (traditional up-scaling), though it's not a perfect 4k image. How close it gets depends on the size of the native image, and a few variables with the games themselves. If you want more details, i'm happy to explain the 'wizardy shit' :p
If you have a 4k TV/monitor (which you'll need anyway to get the most out of the Pro), you can try watching this in full-screen to get a general idea of the image quality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwI6-jKlsO0
It's not a perfect 4k (doubly so because of youtube compression), but it's remarkably close. If i remember correctly, Horizon's checkerboard 4k is built with an 1800p image.
In instances where image quality isn't the focus, you should be able to expect linear graphics improvements (more effects, better render distances, etc). Major frame-rate bumps probably won't be common (so 30fps games becoming 60fps), the GPU can handle it but the CPU will likely be a bottleneck on that front, but in general you should be able to expect better stability.
Anyway, if you have any questions, fire away! If this wasn't what you were wondering about at all, i guess now you know anyway :p