[Rumor] AMD Making Next Xbox GPUs; nVidia Making Next DS CPUs

[DoctorFinger]

A pair of rumors today which indicate that while few gamers are thinking about the next generation of hardware, the companies which manage them certainly are looking forward.

The first piece concerns the next iteration of Microsoft's Xbox hardware. A source for tech site Fudzilla claims that AMD has once again been selected to provide the GPUs for the 360's successor. The 360 runs a Xenos GPU, built by ATI, which was acquired by AMD several years ago. The 360 CPU is built by IBM, but the designs for both the CPU and GPU are owned by Microsoft, so the contract for the CPUs can go to another chip maker and still be compatible with the current software and accessories, an issue which plagued the Xbox to 360 transition. The report also pegs the release of the new hardware as coming in 2012, a date in line with a host of other rumors and reports.

Next up in the rumor mill is Nintendo. BSN reports that nVidia's popular Tegra processor - which is the brains of the new Zune HD - will be the heart for the successor to Nintendo's DS hardware. This is a shift, as Nintendo has been using chips from IBM and ATI/AMD for years now. This new chip would be a single processor solution, and should also be backwards compatible with existing DS products. The report also says that Nintendo plans to launch the all new DS in late 2010, which comes very soon on the heels of the DSi hardware which launched in Japan last year and in the US and EU this past April.

Sources - (Xbox) Fudzilla; Edge Online. (DS) BSN; Gamesindustry.

[Mike Kelehan]

If Nintendo releases a new DS that soon, they'd better figure out how I can transfer my downloaded DSiWare games.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelehan

If Nintendo releases a new DS that soon, they'd better figure out how I can transfer my downloaded DSiWare games.

Considering you can't even transfer them to a new DSi if yours breaks (without sending it in to them, and even then it's iffy) I'd be shocked if you could.

[rein]

I kind of hope the next version of the DS coming in 2010 is true. For one, I am ready for a next gen porrtable. I also hope the portable hardware releases do not compete with the rumored 2012 releases of the next gen consoles.

[ElektroDragon]

I think 2012 is too early. Then again, looking at Uncharted 2, I can see the desire to upgrade the 360 hardware. Either that or Naughty Dog are just beyond talented. I don't know how Uncharted 2 does what it does with a weaker GPU.

[Mike Kelehan]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

Considering you can't even transfer them to a new DSi if yours breaks (without sending it in to them, and even then it's iffy) I'd be shocked if you could.

It's not a big deal now, but it will be. I can see them releasing a rights transfer option in the firmware, like there is now for transferring network settings one-way between systems.

Originally Posted by ElektroDragon

Then again, looking at Uncharted 2, I can see the desire to upgrade the 360 hardware. Either that or Naughty Dog are just beyond talented. I don't know how Uncharted 2 does what it does with a weaker GPU.

Based on Naughty Dog's track record, I think that's what it is.

[Dukefrukem]

Isn't this Ati rumor from a few days ago?

[Purple Santa]

Originally Posted by rein

I kind of hope the next version of the DS coming in 2010 is true. For one, I am ready for a next gen porrtable. I also hope the portable hardware releases do not compete with the rumored 2012 releases of the next gen consoles.

I have a DSi and i'm still looking for the next version of the DS. I love my DS, and can't wait to see (hopefully) how they improve upon it. Besides, i'm a handheld whore. They are like Pokemon to me...gotta collect them all

Seems MS might be sensitive to the BC debate. I don't know if that is why that might be the only reason to use the same chipmakers, but i'll dream they do understand there is some importance to BC. I believe non-hard core purchasers of future consoles do care about if the new console they are buying will play previous generation games.

[Zanzibar]

Originally Posted by Purple Santa

Seems MS might be sensitive to the BC debate. I don't know if that is why that might be the only reason to use the same chipmakers, but i'll dream they do understand there is some importance to BC. I believe non-hard core purchasers of future consoles do care about if the new console they are buying will play previous generation games.

I think they learned their lesson from the original Xbox. They got raked over the coals publicly for their limited BC, although from what I know about what it takes to get the BC titles working and tested thoroughly, it's surprising to me they got as many titles as they did. The graphical architecture between the Xbox and the X360 is startlingly different.

[DoctorFinger]

They touted the original Xbox as being built with "off the shelf" components, and that ended up biting them in the ass when they realized they didn't own the architecture on their chips..

[Yeti2005]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

They touted the original Xbox as being built with "off the shelf" components, and that ended up biting them in the ass when they realized they didn't own the architecture on their chips..

Yep, that's why the Xbox 1 died such a sudden death. I'd put money on the fact the next Xbox will use ATI, will be backward compatable with the 360, and will co-exist with the 360 like the PS2 and PS3 crossover.

Anyone want to guess how much memory the next gen will have? Double the current with 512 video and 512 RAM (or 1024 shared) or do you think they'd boost it to 2 GB shared?

[DoctorFinger]

I'm really curious to see how Sony and Microsoft handle downloadable content with their next systems. I know I have about $200 worth of DLC - games and add-ons - on my 360 and if I can't transfer them wholesale to the next Xbox, I'll be might pissed.

[Cyndair]

I'm sure I'll be in on the next DS (damn you Nintendo). Actually looking forward to it. I'll probably curb buying any DSiWare until I hear about how they are going to handle transferring your purchases (if at all).

[J Arcane]

Originally Posted by rein

I kind of hope the next version of the DS coming in 2010 is true. For one, I am ready for a next gen porrtable. I also hope the portable hardware releases do not compete with the rumored 2012 releases of the next gen consoles.

It's called a PSP, and it's been on the shelves for a while now.

[Stoke]

2012 would make me happy for the next generation. It's far enough away from the start of the current generation that I don't feel they're just rushing something out the door again. I'd also be happy with another portable from Nintendo soon. I just hope it has enough power to do decent 3D visuals so I don't want to poke my eyes out every time I play something.

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Stoke

2012 would make me happy for the next generation. It's far enough away from the start of the current generation that I don't feel they're just rushing something out the door again. I'd also be happy with another portable from Nintendo soon. I just hope it has enough power to do decent 3D visuals so I don't want to poke my eyes out every time I play something.

I'd take 2011 for new handhelds, early 2013 for new home consoles. I'm still more than happy with what we're seeing this generation, I have no urge to upgrade at this point at all.

[Karak]

Originally Posted by Stoke

2012 would make me happy for the next generation. It's far enough away from the start of the current generation that I don't feel they're just rushing something out the door again. I'd also be happy with another portable from Nintendo soon. I just hope it has enough power to do decent 3D visuals so I don't want to poke my eyes out every time I play something.

Ya 2012, would be ok with me as well. Perhaps a bit early as I feel my 360 is still offering insane games, improving graphics and features(especially with each dashboard update). But I would be ok with that.

[Yeti2005]

Originally Posted by DoctorFinger

I'm really curious to see how Sony and Microsoft handle downloadable content with their next systems. I know I have about $200 worth of DLC - games and add-ons - on my 360 and if I can't transfer them wholesale to the next Xbox, I'll be might pissed.

I don't see why there would be a technical hurdle for them to allow you to port over your DLC to a next gen console. Doesn't Sony have a limit on the number of re-downloads though? Maybe that's only for movies and shows.

[Purple Santa]

Originally Posted by Gorvi

I'd take 2011 for new handhelds, early 2013 for new home consoles. I'm still more than happy with what we're seeing this generation, I have no urge to upgrade at this point at all.

Well if they come out in 2012 you could always wait to buy one in 2013

[Gorvi]

Originally Posted by Yeti2005

I don't see why there would be a technical hurdle for them to allow you to port over your DLC to a next gen console. Doesn't Sony have a limit on the number of re-downloads though? Maybe that's only for movies and shows.

Only for movies, which they really need to fix. For games you can have up to 5 consoles authorized at one time, if you want more you have to deauthorize one of those 5.

Originally Posted by Purple Santa

Well if they come out in 2012 you could always wait to buy one in 2013

Yeah, like that's going to happen.