[Rumor] NextBox chip is named and dev kits will ship in April
Sources have pointed to IBM and GlobalFoundries as the chip provider for the NextBox. Codenamed "Oban", the chip will be based on the PowerPC CPU (like the 360) and will be married to an ATI GPU (a modified 7000 series). The 32nano-meter chip is being installed in developer consoles as we speak.
Whispers around the developer community seem to indicate that these consoles might reach the studios as early as March, but no later than April.This makes the idea of this console launching in 2012 seem highly unlikely, but it doesn't mean we won't hear about it at E3. Based on the Xbox 360 launch window, the NextBox could presumably be introduced in June and launch in early 2013. I would have loved to see all three consoles at one E3, but Sony has ruined it for us. Stupid 10 year life cycle...
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g1 DISCUSSIONS
Drappke
if the "Oban" chip is as good as Oban Whisky... we're in for a treat...
Ben Singer
Aaaaaand Nintendo has officially lost all necessary third party support. Again. If this is true the Wii U is doomed.
tricobalt
So the NextBox will use a 7000 series while the Wii U will use a 4000 series. Toldya Wii U was outdated :P
psb123
Someone's being overly picky with thier console tech.
tricobalt
Nah more power means more than just showing off. My wall-o-text on the subject: http://forums.screwattack.com/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=16011&p=313058#p313058
pkandy
Sony is going to die in the console industry if they continue to do the 10 years plan, that just doesn't work, and way to go, i love the new 7000 graphics, they're more energy efficient, and they stay cool.
MarcFransen
I don't think we see the Next Xbox at E3 sorry..
Vicky
Should be AMD GPU. ATI as brand name was dropped in 2010.
SentryIII
IIRC, they re-introduced the ATI brand.
Altair0115
Let's just hope this one won't be riddled with hardware malfunctions.