XBoX Next thread

[>WP< $lipKnot]

Post opinions and supposed rumors and supposed system specifications of the Next Xbox due to come out.

Here is some info I snagged from the net.

Microsoft's emissaries have told industry developers and publishers that the next Xbox will be ready to launch in fall 2005 with the following specifications:

• Three IBM-designed 64-bit microprocessors. The combined power of these chips means the Xbox Next will have more computing power than most personal computers. Earlier versions of these PowerPC chips are used in Apple Computer's high-end G5 PowerMac machines now.

• A graphics chip designed by ATI Technologies with speeds much faster than its upcoming R400 chip for the personal computer. This chip will help the next Xbox to display games with the resolution of high-definition TV.

• Compatibility with the original Xbox, which is based on Intel and Nvidia chips, isn't guaranteed. Microsoft is concerned it would cost too much money in hardware or in licensing fees to enable the Xbox Next to play old Xbox games. This is risky in part because Sony's strategy has been to maintain compatibility with its old consoles.



I cant wait. If they ship this thing before the ps3 it will be the biggest console ever.
I heard they are going to have 3 versions.

Come on guys see what info you can get on this thing. I want to know. I want opinions.

 

[michealo]

i sense a 499$ US launch price

and no backwards compatibility is a hole in the ship
one behemoth console is enough

 

[nullvector]

Yeah, no backwards compatibility would seriously make me hold off on a purchase when it launches. I've already got 3 console systems to organize and wire up, it would be nice if I could just replace the current xbox with the newer one.

If they release it at anything over $350, I dont think they'll have a stellar product launch. Not many people want to drop $500 on a system and a game or two, but you never know.

 

[Corporal79]

I think no backwards compatibility is a major mistake and I'm sure every xbox owner would agree. I know they will come out with great games for the new xbox but what if I wanted to go back and play through some xbox classics like Prince of Persia? Guess I'd have to dig it out of my closet and hook it up. Sucks. I'm sure I could hook it up and leave it on my tv stand along with my dvd player, digital cable box, receiver, cd player but I wouldn't have any room, plus I'd have to get a new receiver that hase more component inputs so I wouldn't have to unplug something when I wanted to fire it up. Blah to MS if they pull that crap on us.

 

[rrramsey]

At the rate they are going the Xbox2/Next will be available before they get any more of the current console back on store shelves.

Backwards compatability isnt that big of a deal to me. Most prior consoles didnt have it...I'm sure theres more but I can only think of the Playstation & Gameboy that do have it.

 

[WickedAngel]

I'm not interested in backwards compatibility. I rarely ever use the feature on my PS2, and I doubt it would be any different with the XBN. I'm more curious about their supposed lack of an HDD. Memory card technology has progressed rapidly, and Sony is supposedly on the verge of releasing a normal-sized memory card that could hold several GB of data. I wonder if Microsoft is on the same trail.

Those of you who are predicting $500 are being a bit short-sighted. Console makers lose money on hardware; they go into the industry knowing this. The only company that has consistantly made money on hardware is Nintendo, and even they reported their first losses in quite some time last year. Microsoft didn't become dominant in the business world by ignoring industry trends.

Also, they've already acknowledged the aesthetic mistakes they made with the Xbox. They're supposedly modeling the XBN controller after that of the Controller-S (Which is easily one of the best all-around controllers I've ever used). They've said that they're aiming something "sleek and stylish" with the actual design of the console.

If they can get Halo 3 done for launch or soon after, it will be huge. I would like to see Perfect Dark Zero at launch as well, but Rare is about the most useless purchase Microsoft has ever made. Bungie has been confusing about this; they said their next project wouldn't be Halo, but Microsoft has said a sequel to Halo 2 is in the works.

 

[ninethreeeleven]

I remember being like, awesome I can play Gran Turismo 2 on the new PS2 with thier graphics. Popped it in, and nothing more than the original game.
I understand that Halo2 has a large fan base, and there is no way halo 3 would be ready then, so I think that would hurt the not-backwards-comp. ideas. But other than that who cares. I means yeah I play my old games every once in a while, but I dont need to play them on the new console, I can just hook up the old console and play.

 

[WickedAngel]

Halo 3 has actually been in development for a while. Halo 3 in 2006 is a possibility, since it seems that a lot of stuff from Halo 2 was cut out.

Another interesting point is that Tecmo has stated that the sequel to Ninja Gaiden will likely appear on the next iteration of the Xbox.

I wonder how Xbox Live will fit into the next-gen equation. It's an excellent service as of now.

 

[JEEVES/whohasmyname?]

I actualy heard somewhere (cant rember where and i am in no way saying this is 100% true) that halo 3 will be sceduled to release the same day as the ps3.

I for one do not like backwards compatible and am happy to see that the xbox will not have that problem. I rarely go back and play older games, truely if I want to play a game i go get a new game that I have not played before.

JEEVES

 

[Staples]

I have been a very close watcher of Xbox since way before it came out. I have become a pundit of them because I think management is so bad and they have made a lot of catastropic bad decisions. The latest is, I think MS really **** up last night by not even mentioning the Xbox 2. The PS3 deserves to dominate again just because of the ineptitude of the Xbox division.

I predict that

1) The PS3 will be a more powerful system.

 

[rcf1987]

I actualy heard somewhere (cant rember where and i am in no way saying this is 100% true) that halo 3 will be sceduled to release the same day as the ps3.

I've also heard that it is a good marketing strategy release Halo 3 on the day PS3 comes out its genius.

 

[Wrench00]

I think that its BS that the new xbox chip will be more powerful then anything on the desktop. First of all Power 5 isn't all that super fast, because Power 4 wasn't that fast either. It was also said that IBM chip will be around 5 ghz, my ass they will never see that speed. If there is going to be backwards compatibility it will be slow because of emulation. I think MS devs would have loved to have 64 X86 chip but I suspect that marketing didn't because of piracy issues, also its a bigger control factor since now its on a totaly different architecture and MS can restrict it a much as they want (what they don't know is that as smart as MS thinks it is there is some one out there 10 times smarter then them, and the xbox 2 will be cracked open). One thing that thing that xbox2 has confirmed is that MS will have a Mac version of Windows, it might also force apple to develop a OS for x86 platform.

 

[Tiny]

It is coming in three versions also. Cool beans. Last I heard, it was going to be Halo2.5 (Halo2 with all the eyecandy and extras and features that they didn't include in Halo 2----Bungie already said that Halo2 is the best they could do graphically) with Halo 3 releasing on the same day as PS3 (which has not been confirmed to having the backwards playing feature--Sony still hasn't decided if the extra cost is worth it).

 

[Shakezilla]

PS3 is going to be launched at $300 usd. Almost guarteed. If XboxNext Launches in the 350 range it will be fine if it launches 500 or 400 I think it will get screwed. I still thing the PS3 will win the console wars. At least I hope it does.

 

[revan]

It is coming in three versions also. Cool beans. Last I heard, it was going to be Halo2.5 (Halo2 with all the eyecandy and extras and features that they didn't include in Halo 2

Halo 2.5 should be bundled/preloaded on the HardDrive. So if you buy the version without the harddrive, you get the game when you buy the HDD. The version of the console with the HDD will have the game built in presumably. Halo 2.5 is supposed to be running at 1080p with the new hardware, which is an amazing indicator of power, if true.

 

[Terpfen]

I've also heard that it is a good marketing strategy release Halo 3 on the day PS3 comes out its genius.

It's also a classic marketing strategy. Final Fantasy VIII was released on the same day as the Dreamcast.

About Xbox2 vs PS3: folks, as it stands, Sony is the company to beat here. Remember the Dreamcast? It has a great launch, great games, but the general attitude was "wait for PS2, it'll be better." Unless Microsoft comes out swinging with a serious lineup of games AND console features (no backwards compatibility is a minus point even if you consider it useless), the same thing is going to happen. I guarantee you that around the Xbox 2's launch time, we'll start hearing rumors of Gran Turismo 5 with online play, or some similar killer app, being available at the PS3's launch, which will have mysteriously moved up a few months to within 6 months of the Xbox2's launch. Compare this to Halo 2.5--it ain't going to happen.

As for Halo 3, it's probably not going to happen. There are two stories circulating: one is that the Bungie team wants to do a new franchise rather than Halo 3. The other story is that a significant amount of the Bungie team wants to go to another company and work on something new. Assuming one or the other is true, Halo 3 will either never come (with Halo 2.5 being as close as we'll get), or it'll be made by a vastly-different Bungie without any guarantees of its quality.

 

[Garage81]

If the xbox next comes out first, and it can game at true high def resolutions, I'm all over it. Can you imagine playing something really detailed at true high def resolutions?

I can't wait. I've never pre ordered a console before, but I'm highly considering pre ordering the xbox next.

 

[Circuitbreaker8]

Im getting both PS3 and Xbox 2

 

[Syphon Filter]

I have been a very close watcher of Xbox since way before it came out. I have become a pundit of them because I think management is so bad and they have made a lot of catastropic bad decisions. The latest is, I think MS really **** up last night by not even mentioning the Xbox 2. The PS3 deserves to dominate again just because of the ineptitude of the Xbox division.

I predict that

1) The PS3 will be a more powerful system.

I agree. I have had first hand experience of the XBox division having worked for them. They are a bunch of twats. But having said that they have an excellent console on their hands in the form of the XBox 1 and some of the best console games out there at the moment.

So that in mind, I dont think that they will screw it up too badly. Yes they are a bunch of morons...but thats at higher levels. Its the hard work of the guys lower down the payscale that makes XBox what it is.

 

[lesman]

no company would be stupid enough to release their game system over 299 bucks. well, sega made that mistake with the saturn, it was 399 bucks, and every major player learned from that. it doesnt look good for the backwards compatibility thing, as the games were made to run on intel chip architechture, and the switch to multiple IBM precessors make it very difficult to emulate. also, microsoft would end up paying loyalties to intel for supporting games using intel architechture. they might find a way, though, as it would be insanely stupid not to have backwards compatibility, one feature which will keep the ps3 going extremely strong. oh yes as for halo 3, it will happen, but it will not be a launch game. for one, they dont want to rush the game (as a fall 2005 launch of xbox 2 is very early). im willing to bet bungies (and microsofts) battle plan is to release halo 3 when ps3 comes out as a side attack to take some spotlight (and sales) off of ps3. remember when dreamcast released? well, do you remember what sony and squaresoft did? they released a final fantasy game on that same day (either ff8 or ff9, cant remember exactly) whats going on about bungie and making a totally different game is this: its likely that halo 3 will be the last game in the series. they want to give it a full ending, so they can start working on something different. they are totally not going to just abandon halo (hellllll, nnnooo).

 

[CreamySoupUSA]

I actualy heard somewhere (cant rember where and i am in no way saying this is 100% true) that halo 3 will be sceduled to release the same day as the ps3.

That will be a fucking long line at Gamestop...

 

[WickedAngel]

I still thing the PS3 will win the console wars. At least I hope it does.

I'm not sure why you would hope that. Sony is one step away from becoming in the gaming industry what Microsoft is in the computer industry. If they succeed again this time, it will be like EA took over the entire gaming industry. You will see quality falter if it happens, I guarantee it.

It is coming in three versions also. Cool beans. Last I heard, it was going to be Halo2.5 (Halo2 with all the eyecandy and extras and features that they didn't include in Halo 2

I'm not sure where you heard that from, but I seriously doubt it. Microsoft isn't stupid. If you go that route, you're going to have developers working for the most advanced version while the rest get left out in the dark. That means fewer options for consumers and lower sales for the developer. Basically, it would fuck everyone and would be a fledgling mistake that is just uncharacteristic of Microsoft.

oh yes as for halo 3, it will happen, but it will not be a launch game. for one, they dont want to rush the game (as a fall 2005 launch of xbox 2 is very early). im willing to bet bungies (and microsofts) battle plan is to release halo 3 when ps3 comes out as a side attack to take some spotlight (and sales) off of ps3.

Without a big launch title, the Xbox Next will be dead before the PS3 even arrives.

There are two stories circulating: one is that the Bungie team wants to do a new franchise rather than Halo 3.

What Bungie wants to do and what they actually do are two very different things. If Microsoft feels that they need to work on Halo 3 and forget everything else, that is what they'll do (Especially after the HUGE sales that Halo 2 has seen).

 

[Tiny]

I'm not sure where you heard that from, but I seriously doubt it. Microsoft isn't stupid. If you go that route, you're going to have developers working for the most advanced version while the rest get left out in the dark. That means fewer options for consumers and lower sales for the developer. Basically, it would fuck everyone and would be a fledgling mistake that is just uncharacteristic of Microsoft.

Of coarse Microsoft isn't stupid....good golly. All three versions will have the SAME graphic prowess and game playability. The versions are only separated in their functionality set, i.e. one will be games only w/o HD (but with option to add HD later if wanted and optional separate purchase of DVD kit), the second will be games, right-out-of-the-box DVD player, and with a HD, the third will be everything number 2 has, plus....be running Microsoft's Media Center edition, for further functionality...including a dummied down PVR.
One game can be published and work on ALL the versions, the game will be programmed to understand what version Xbox Next they are in and function accordingly...kind of like how they add the code in to games now in order to update peoples LIVE versions. You will just see a new "feature box" on the back of games, LIKE THEY DID WHEN LIVE CAME OUT.
I don't think that equals fewer options for consumers. And by no means does it mean fewer sales. And despite wanting to be a big step from the original Xbox and pleasing everyone....I really don't think Microsoft will be adding in that "f**k everyone" feature that you seem to want.

 

[Qwertyman]

Here's a very interesting article about xbox Next or 2 or whatever in EGM. Its pretty cool, there's also the other consoles PS3 and Gamecube 2 too if anyone is interested in that too.
XBOX EGM Article

 

[Tiny]

Here's a very interesting article about xbox Next or 2 or whatever in EGM. Its pretty cool, there's also the other consoles PS3 and Gamecube 2 too if anyone is interested in that too.
XBOX EGM Article

I especially love what the guy says in reguard to the EA Madden Concept:

" I haven't seen [the images], but I heard they were very impressive and pretty good indicators of what's possible. But even without seeing them, I would like to believe that we're going to able to exceed that"​

That would be awsome, as I am an eye-candy whore!

 

[WickedAngel]

Of coarse Microsoft isn't stupid....good golly. All three versions will have the SAME graphic prowess and game playability. The versions are only separated in their functionality set, i.e. one will be games only w/o HD (but with option to add HD later if wanted and optional separate purchase of DVD kit), the second will be games, right-out-of-the-box DVD player, and with a HD, the third will be everything number 2 has, plus....be running Microsoft's Media Center edition, for further functionality...including a dummied down PVR.

That is exactly what I'm talking about though.

Many Xbox games are designed exclusively around the HDD. They use the HDD to load quicker, cache textures, and do a variety of other tasks that the system simply couldn't do without it. If the XBN has multiple platform options like that, developers are going to have to program loading procedures and textures for each version of the system if they want to get the best out of all of them.

One of the best things about the Xbox in developer's eyes was that it was easy to design around. They don't want things to be complicated, and I doubt Microsoft would go out of their way to make a mistake that they didn't make with their first console.

The DVD option and Windows Media Center options are possible, but don't count on options for or against HDD support. It will either be one or the other in that respect; there won't be options.

 

[Isaacav2]

I hope that Nintendo will be able to come up with an answer that will bring them right back to the top. Thoose were the good ole days.

 

[lesman]

I'm not sure why you would hope that. Sony is one step away from becoming in the gaming industry what Microsoft is in the computer industry. If they succeed again this time, it will be like EA took over the entire gaming industry. You will see quality falter if it happens, I guarantee it.



I'm not sure where you heard that from, but I seriously doubt it. Microsoft isn't stupid. If you go that route, you're going to have developers working for the most advanced version while the rest get left out in the dark. That means fewer options for consumers and lower sales for the developer. Basically, it would fuck everyone and would be a fledgling mistake that is just uncharacteristic of Microsoft.



Without a big launch title, the Xbox Next will be dead before the PS3 even arrives.



What Bungie wants to do and what they actually do are two very different things. If Microsoft feels that they need to work on Halo 3 and forget everything else, that is what they'll do (Especially after the HUGE sales that Halo 2 has seen).

about the "big launch title": but halo really isnt the only game thats good on xbox. there are so many other games, and the development of xbox 2 games has been going on for a great deal of time, so expect some good stuff. and if the graphics are any indication of anything, people will buy the console nonetheless. i know i know, graphics dont make the game, yada, yada, but whether any of us wants to admit it or not, graphics has a way of lulling people in-even into mediocrity.

 

[Tiny]

That is exactly what I'm talking about though.

Many Xbox games are designed exclusively around the HDD. They use the HDD to load quicker, cache textures, and do a variety of other tasks that the system simply couldn't do without it. If the XBN has multiple platform options like that, developers are going to have to program loading procedures and textures for each version of the system if they want to get the best out of all of them.

One of the best things about the Xbox in developer's eyes was that it was easy to design around. They don't want things to be complicated, and I doubt Microsoft would go out of their way to make a mistake that they didn't make with their first console.

The DVD option and Windows Media Center options are possible, but don't count on options for or against HDD support. It will either be one or the other in that respect; there won't be options.

XNA....all the developers that have build boxes are using it. Makes it easier to build in the different features. Didn't you read the reports of XNA since it has been in use by developers? As for the HD either being there or not....it will be an option for one version or built in for the other versions. Feel free to cut and paste this on your system, then come back when the system is out on shelves.

 

[adam7488]

I'm somewhat disappointed to hear about MS's unofficial decision to relinquish the HD. With memory technology the way it is now; we're looking at $30-40 memory cards. A burden I don't wanna have to suffer. As for the new microprocessor and gpu; I'm kinda excited. This means that the console market may just begin to take the high-end load off the PC market. Better for us. I somewaht doubt the price expectation you all seem to project. I mean, an XBOX that's better than most personal computers would run extremely high don't you think. In any case I do hope XBOX comeout on top. I think they deserve it. I don't like the Playstation.

Adam.

 

[Terpfen]

What Bungie wants to do and what they actually do are two very different things. If Microsoft feels that they need to work on Halo 3 and forget everything else, that is what they'll do (Especially after the HUGE sales that Halo 2 has seen).

Actually, Microsoft as a publisher and owner lets its development studios do pretty much whatever they want, within reason (like not developing for other platforms.) Say what you will about Windows, but no one is complaining about having MS as a publisher.

 

[LiquidX]

You know I think its a VERY smart move if MS was to release XBox Next this year while the competition does there's a year later. MS can release the system at the premium price most new consoles are released at ($300) then lower it when the new consoles from Sony and Nintendo are released then further add insult to injury by having Halo 3 on Sony's release day. Brilliant! .

 

[Archaea]

backwards compatibility would be the difference in me buying it or not.

My feelings are even the controllers should be backwards compatible. If they want they can release new accessories, but there's nothing wrong with the current set of xbox controllers and a wide variety to boot. Microsoft didn't replace the sidewinder joysticks, which are the best computer joystick...I hope they do the same for the xbox, basically if it ain't broke ---don't fix it. This and backwards compatibility in games would be a major + for potential xbox customers. I have bought 7 xbox controllers, and a host of games. It would totally rock if all this stuff ported over to the new xbox. I'd buy it on launch...If they don't make it backwards compatible...I'll wait and buy it when the price drops in a few years and there are more game titles available....

I just don't like the thought of buying eveything all over again when the stuff I have now is TOTALLY adequate and in no way needs replacing(controllers, hdpack, games)

Also Xbox Next REALLY needs to include mouse support and some sort of keyboard support, even if it's limited functionality. So PC gamers can feel at home.

even something like this would be satisfactory

http://catalog.belkin.com/IWCatProd...Id=&Section_Id=2071&pcount=&Product_Id=157024

 

[tazz]

I plan on buying just the xbox 2.
its going to be a great console.
the grapchis will be out standing.
even if the ps 3 comes out a year later.
there is no way that it will be more power full.
then xbox 2.
only because that if u are working a video card to day to come out next year,
that year gap will not make a big driffence.
you still useing the same technology.

 

[Diablo2K]

I dont care how good the graphics are going to be on the Xbox2, if they dont include VGA support then I dont see any use of having all that power. TV resolutions are just to low as it is with XBox 1. I play alot of racing games and it is hard to see oncoming trafic and turns on a tv. I currently use a 20 inch S-Video TV and plan on getting an adapter to use a commputer monitor. I cant aford a HDTV just yet, but they are getting cheaper everyday. But it would still be nice to hook it up to a 21" Sony G500 and a set of Logitech Z-680s.

And as far as backwards compatiblity, I dont care either way, I have put alot of money into my modded Xbox and will keep it till it is time to send it to the dump!

 

[adam7488]

I plan on buying just the xbox 2.
its going to be a great console.
the grapchis will be out standing.
even if the ps 3 comes out a year later.
there is no way that it will be more power full.
then xbox 2.
only because that if u are working a video card to day to come out next year,
that year gap will not make a big driffence.
you still useing the same technology.

I hope your kidding....

Technology advancement over the course of a year can be near exponential. This time next year high end would be mid-level at best. A console a difference such as that would be huge. Especially when some games use every bit of capability that the console can offer.

I'm not really sure what gave you that impression tazz.

Adam.

 

[WickedAngel]

The problem with the PS3 and it's graphics architecture is that it sounds very complex, just as it was with the PS2. The PS2 pissed a lot of developers off in that respect, and from what I'm hearing, a lot of them are more interested in working for the XBN than they are for the PS3. I expect the PS3 to be the newest technology that nobody wants to learn.

It's almost a guarantee that the XBN and Revolution will be far easier to developer for than the PS3.

 

[Staples]

I hope your kidding....

Technology advancement over the course of a year can be near exponential. This time next year high end would be mid-level at best. A console a difference such as that would be huge. Especially when some games use every bit of capability that the console can offer.

I'm not really sure what gave you that impression tazz.

Adam.

They Xbox 2 will not be using the $500 version of the R500. It will be using the cheapest version, the version that has 8 pipes and not clocked so high that expensive metals have to be used for the wires. I suspect that the card the Xbox 2 will use will probably be no more powerful than the 6800 Ultra or the x800PE.

 

[Ballz2TheWallz]

actually the xbox 2 is going to include a TRI-core processor and the R520(mabey 420, it was R520 last time i checked)and it has been patented YES IT HAS

here

pics:
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox215ab.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox227cq.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox250vw.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox269sv.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox278gy.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox288jj.png
http://img145.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img145&image=xbox290jn.png
http://img98.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img98&image=xbox2124xb.png
http://img135.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img135&image=xbox2137it.png

Xenon Hardware Overview

By Pete Isensee, Development Lead, Xbox Advanced Technology Group

This documentation is an early release of the final documentation, which may be changed substantially prior to final commercial release, and is confidential and proprietary information of MS Corporation. It is disclosed pursuant to a nondisclosure agreement between the recipient and MS.
“Xenon” is the code name for the successor to the Xbox® game console from MS. Xenon is expected to launch in 2005. This white paper is designed to provide a brief overview of the primary hardware features of the console from a game developer’s standpoint.

Caveats
In some cases, sizes, speeds, and other details of the Xenon console have not been finalized. Values not yet finalized are identified with a “+” sign, indicating that the numbers may be larger than indicated here. At the time of this writing, the final console is many months from entering production. Based on our experience with Xbox, it’s likely that some of this information will change slightly for the final console.

For additional information on various hardware components, see the other relevant white papers.

Hardware Goals
Xenon was designed with the following goals in mind:

•Focus on innovation in silicon, particularly features that game developers need. Although all Xenon hardware components are technologically advanced, the hardware engineering effort has concentrated on digital performance in the CPU and GPU.

•Maximize general purpose processing performance rather than fixed-function hardware. This focus on general purpose processing puts the power into the Xenon software libraries and tools. Rather than being hamstrung by particular hardware designs, software libraries can support the latest and most efficient techniques.

•Eliminate the performance issues of the past. On Xbox, the primary bottlenecks were memory and CPU bandwidth. Xenon does not have these limitations.

Basic Hardware Specifications

Xenon is powered by a 3.5+ GHz IBM PowerPC processor and a 500+ MHz ATI graphics processor. Xenon has 256+ MB of unified memory. Xenon runs a custom operating system based on MS® Windows NT®, similar to the Xbox operating system. The graphics interface is a superset of MS® Direct3D® version 9.0.
CPU

The Xenon CPU is a custom processor based on PowerPC technology. The CPU includes three independent processors (cores) on a single die. Each core runs at 3.5+ GHz. The Xenon CPU can issue two instructions per clock cycle per core. At peak performance, Xenon can issue 21 billion instructions per second.

The Xenon CPU was designed by IBM in close consultation with the Xbox team, leading to a number of revolutionary additions, including a dot product instruction for extremely fast vector math and custom security features built directly into the silicon to prevent piracy and hacking.

Each core has two symmetric hardware threads (SMT), for a total of six hardware threads available to games. Not only does the Xenon CPU include the standard set of PowerPC integer and floating-point registers (one set per hardware thread), the Xenon CPU also includes 128 vector (VMX) registers per hardware thread. This astounding number of registers can drastically improve the speed of common mathematical operations.

Each of the three cores includes a 32-KB L1 instruction cache and a 32-KB L1 data cache. The three cores share a 1-MB L2 cache. The L2 cache can be locked down in segments to improve performance. The L2 cache also has the very unusual feature of being directly readable from the GPU, which allows the GPU to consume geometry and texture data from L2 and main memory simultaneously.
Xenon CPU instructions are exposed to games through compiler intrinsics, allowing developers to access the power of the chip using C language notation.
GPU

The Xenon GPU is a custom 500+ MHz graphics processor from ATI. The shader core has 48 Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs) that can execute 64 simultaneous threads on groups of 64 vertices or pixels. ALUs are automatically and dynamically assigned to either pixel or vertex processing depending on load. The ALUs can each perform one vector and one scalar operation per clock cycle, for a total of 96 shader operations per clock cycle. Texture loads can be done in parallel to ALU operations. At peak performance, the GPU can issue 48 billion shader operations per second.

The GPU has a peak pixel fill rate of 4+ gigapixels/sec (16 gigasamples/sec with 4× antialiasing). The peak vertex rate is 500+ million vertices/sec. The peak triangle rate is 500+ million triangles/sec. The interesting point about all of these values is that they’re not just theoretical—they are attainable with nontrivial shaders.

Xenon is designed for high-definition output. Included directly on the GPU die is 10+ MB of fast embedded dynamic RAM (EDRAM). A 720p frame buffer fits very nicely here. Larger frame buffers are also possible because of hardware-accelerated partitioning and predicated rendering that has little cost other than additional vertex processing. Along with the extremely fast EDRAM, the GPU also includes hardware instructions for alpha blending, z-test, and antialiasing.

The Xenon graphics architecture is a unique design that implements a superset of Direct3D version 9.0. It includes a number of important extensions, including additional compressed texture formats and a flexible tessellation engine. Xenon not only supports high-level shading language (HLSL) model 3.0 for vertex and pixel shaders but also includes advanced shader features well beyond model 3.0. For instance, shaders use 32-bit IEEE floating-point math throughout. Vertex shaders can fetch from textures, and pixel shaders can fetch from vertex streams. Xenon shaders also have the unique ability to directly access main memory, allowing techniques that have never before been possible.

As with Xbox, Xenon will support precompiled push buffers (“command buffers” in Xenon terminology), but to a much greater extent than the Xbox console does. The Xbox team is exposing and documenting the command buffer format so that games are able to harness the GPU much more effectively.

In addition to an extremely powerful GPU, Xenon also includes a very high-quality resize filter. This filter allows consumers to choose whatever output mode they desire. Xenon automatically scales the game’s output buffer to the consumer-chosen resolution.

Memory and Bandwidth
Xenon has 256+ MB of unified memory, equally accessible to both the GPU and CPU. The main memory controller resides on the GPU (the same as in the Xbox architecture). It has 22.4+ GB/sec aggregate bandwidth to RAM, distributed between reads and writes. Aggregate means that the bandwidth may be used for all reading or all writing or any combination of the two. Translated into game performance, the GPU can consume a 512×512×32-bpp texture in only 47 microseconds.

The front side bus (FSB) bandwidth peak is 10.8 GB/sec for reads and 10.8 GB/sec for writes, over 20 times faster than for Xbox. Note that the 22.4+ GB/sec main memory bandwidth is shared between the CPU and GPU. If, for example, the CPU is using 2 GB/sec for reading and 1 GB/sec for writing on the FSB, the GPU has 19.4+ GB/sec available for accessing RAM.

Eight pixels (where each pixel is color plus z = 8 bytes) can be sent to the EDRAM every GPU clock cycle, for an EDRAM write bandwidth of 32 GB/sec. Each of these pixels can be expanded through multisampling to 4 samples, for up to 32 multisampled pixel samples per clock cycle. With alpha blending, z-test, and z-write enabled, this is equivalent to having 256 GB/sec of effective bandwidth! The important thing is that frame buffer bandwidth will never slow down the Xenon GPU.

Audio
The Xenon CPU is a superb processor for audio, particularly with its massive mathematical horsepower and vector register set. The Xenon CPU can process and encode hundreds of audio channels with sophisticated per-voice and global effects, all while using a fraction of the power of a single CPU core.

The Xenon system south bridge also contains a key hardware component for audio—XMA decompression. XMA is the native Xenon compressed audio format, based on the WMA Pro architecture. XMA provides sound quality higher than ADPCM at even better compression ratios, typically 6:1–12:1. The south bridge contains a full silicon implementation of the XMA decompression algorithm, including support for multichannel XMA sources. XMA is processed by the south bridge into standard PCM format in RAM. All other sound processing (sample rate conversion, filtering, effects, mixing, and multispeaker encoding) happens on the Xenon CPU.

The lowest-level Xenon audio software layer is XAudio, a new API designed for optimal digital signal processing. The Xbox Audio Creation Tool (XACT) API from Xbox is also supported, along with new features such as conditional events, improved parameter control, and a more flexible 3D audio model.
Input/Output

As with Xbox, Xenon is designed to be a multiplayer console. It has built-in networking support including an Ethernet 10/100-BaseT port. It supports up to four controllers. From an audio/video standpoint, Xenon will support all the same formats as Xbox, including multiple high-definition formats up through 1080i, plus VGA output.

In order to provide greater flexibility and support a wider variety of attached devices, the Xenon console includes standard USB 2.0 ports. This feature allows the console to potentially host storage devices, cameras, microphones, and other devices.

Storage
The Xenon console is designed around a larger world view of storage than Xbox was. Games will have access to a variety of storage devices, including connected devices (memory units, USB storage) and remote devices (networked PCs, Xbox Live™). At the time of this writing, the decision to include a built-in hard disk in every Xenon console has not been made. If a hard disk is not included in every console, it will certainly be available as an integrated add-on component.

Xenon supports up to two attached memory units (MUs). MUs are connected directly to the console, not to controllers as on Xbox. The initial size of the MUs is 64 MB, although larger MUs may be available in the future. MU throughput is expected to be around 8 MB/sec for reads and 1 MB/sec for writes.

The Xenon game disc drive is a 12× DVD, with an expected outer edge throughput of 16+ MB/sec. Latency is expected to be in the neighborhood of 100 ms. The media format will be similar to Xbox, with approximately 6 GB of usable space on the disk. As on Xbox, media will be stored on a single side in two 3 GB layers.

Industrial Design
The Xenon industrial design process is well under way, but the final look of the box has not been determined. The Xenon console will be smaller than the Xbox console.
The standard Xenon controller will have a look and feel similar to the Xbox controller. The primary changes are the removal of the Black and White buttons and the addition of shoulder buttons. The triggers, thumbsticks, D-pad, and primary buttons are essentially unchanged. The controller will support vibration.

Xenon Development Kit
The Xenon development environment follows the same model as for Xbox. Game development occurs on the PC. The resulting executable image is loaded by the Xenon development kit and remotely debugged on the PC. MS® Visual Studio® version 7.1 continues as the development environment for Xenon.

The Xenon compiler is based on a custom PowerPC back end and the latest MS® Visual C++® front end. The back end uses technology developed at MS for Windows NT on PowerPC. The Xenon software group includes a dedicated team of compiler engineers updating the compiler to support Xenon-specific CPU extensions. This team is also heavily focused on optimization work.
The Xenon development kit will include accurate DVD emulation technology to allow developers to very precisely gauge the effects of the retail console disc drive.

Miscellaneous Xenon Hardware Notes

Some additional notes:
•Xenon is a big-endian system. Both the CPU and GPU process memory in big-endian mode. Games ported from little-endian systems such as the Xbox or PC need to account for this in their game asset pipeline.

•Tapping into the power of the CPU is a daunting task. Writing multithreaded game engines is not trivial. Xenon system software is designed to take advantage of this processing power wherever possible. The Xbox Advanced Technology Group (ATG) is also exploring a variety of techniques for offloading graphics work to the CPU.

•People often ask if Xenon can be backward compatible with Xbox. Although the architecture of the two consoles is quite different, Xenon has the processing power to emulate Xbox. Whether Xenon will be backward compatible involves a variety of factors, not the least of which is the massive development and testing effort required to allow Xbox games run on Xenon.

 

[Terpfen]

I plan on buying just the xbox 2.
its going to be a great console.
the grapchis will be out standing.
even if the ps 3 comes out a year later.
there is no way that it will be more power full.
then xbox 2.
only because that if u are working a video card to day to come out next year,
that year gap will not make a big driffence.
you still useing the same technology.

Pst... gaming is about games, not technology. Despite Sony's PS2 being the most inferior hardware of this generation, it has arguably the best games.

Pretty graphics are for screenshots and trailers.