Rumor: Xbox One Getting New Polaris-Based GPU

Megalith

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There is mounting evidence that the Xbox One is getting a substantial refresh. Do you think we are actually getting a more powerful console, or just a more efficient one?

Microsoft and AMD have been secretly working together to make a more powerful GPU for the Xbox One, and since the GPU is embedded in one chip, it means Xbox One will get a new APU. One can wonder what architecture the CPU part of the APU will be based on (Zen perhaps?), but some console users have noticed the name "Xbox One Polaris" flashed during Netflix usage with their Xbox One.
 
It doesn't even make sense to do a gpu upgrade in the middle of a console cycle.

one just has to use the logical part of their brain to know this is false.
 
Yeah you really cant change the specs a third of the way through a lifecycle.

Oh the moaning and herdrage...
 
Unless the competition is wiping the floor with you.

No, then you build a whole new console from scratch for 2017.

I personally don't see the PS4 wiping the floor with the One as it's no powerhouse itself.

Both consoles are a disappointment to their heritage. The sooner both are replaced the better.
 
No, then you build a whole new console from scratch for 2017.

I personally don't see the PS4 wiping the floor with the One as it's no powerhouse itself.

Both consoles are a disappointment to their heritage. The sooner both are replaced the better.

Agreed. I skipped this generation. Hopefully VR catches on and they realize that they're going to need to put out beefy loss-leaders again and not this "we'll turn a profit on each console by putting out a slight refresh from our 10yr old units!" .. It's holding back graphic innovations.
 
Agreed. I skipped this generation. Hopefully VR catches on and they realize that they're going to need to put out beefy loss-leaders again and not this "we'll turn a profit on each console by putting out a slight refresh from our 10yr old units!" .. It's holding back graphic innovations.

I have no intention of buying either this time as well. In fact most of my friends haven't bothered either. Just not the leap forward the previous gens have been.

When they came out I was very "WTF? Is that the best they can do?"
 
It doesn't even make sense to do a gpu upgrade in the middle of a console cycle.

one just has to use the logical part of their brain to know this is false.

Not the first time it would have happened though. Just because they are updating to a newer architecture doesn't make it faster. They could keep the speed roughly the same using a newer, much more compact, chip.

If true they are either making a slim model to cut hardware costs or a faster XBox One VR. It could very well be a $1k VR model to be shown at CES. Nobody would be expecting VR to work on the existing boxes. Even if they included HBM, it could have as much to do with hardware design as performance. They could shrink the entire box into something the size of a typical CPU heatsink. Old Mobo
 
Maybe they can finally get something with more rendering power than a six year old video card, but that might not be good since I've been convinced by this who "cinematic feel" marketing campaign, convincing all of us gamers that 30FPS is clearly the way to go!
 
The Xbox One is doing well, it is selling faster than the Xbox 360 did during the same time frame. It is just that the PS4 is selling more. Both consoles are doing well.

As far as a mid generation upgrade. Wouldn't happen like that. They might use parts to make them run cooler or use less power. But won't do anything major.
 
Yeah you really cant change the specs a third of the way through a lifecycle.

Oh the moaning and herdrage...

You really could now that the architecture is just a mix of PC components.

It would be really simple to run current games on more updated hardware with a flag that tells the console to underclock and/or limit gpu cores and then just runs flat out on newer titles built to take use of the upgrade. Could even just release a patch for older titles to run the resolution higher and a "low quality mode" for the newer titles if you put it in the older designed console. No compatibility issues or confusion if its implemented properly and completely transparent to the end user. Just add some flashy new features on the newer model that doesn't fragment gamers such as USB 3.1 quick charging and 4K video playback in a slim design and people will slowly upgrade to the new units.
 
You really could now that the architecture is just a mix of PC components.

It would be really simple to run current games on more updated hardware with a flag that tells the console to underclock and/or limit gpu cores and then just runs flat out on newer titles built to take use of the upgrade. Could even just release a patch for older titles to run the resolution higher and a "low quality mode" for the newer titles if you put it in the older designed console. No compatibility issues or confusion if its implemented properly and completely transparent to the end user. Just add some flashy new features on the newer model that doesn't fragment gamers such as USB 3.1 quick charging and 4K video playback in a slim design and people will slowly upgrade to the new units.

C'mon you see the rage quits and outrage if one group of self obsessed and self-entitled people suddenly feel they are not special anymore.

You make people even vaguely think they now have a second rate product then the bad press will go exponential.

We've seen enough of it on this forum with products that just a few thousand have purchased let alone a device that millions have purchased.

The hysteria would be massive. A huge mess.

Xbox Two or GTFO.:)
 
I know if I bought a xbox and they released a better unit a few years later I would be butt hurt. Then when the next gen xbox comes out I probably wouldn't buy it at first since I would always think they are going to come out with a better one later on.
 
You really could now that the architecture is just a mix of PC components.

It would be really simple to run current games on more updated hardware with a flag that tells the console to underclock and/or limit gpu cores and then just runs flat out on newer titles built to take use of the upgrade. Could even just release a patch for older titles to run the resolution higher and a "low quality mode" for the newer titles if you put it in the older designed console. No compatibility issues or confusion if its implemented properly and completely transparent to the end user. Just add some flashy new features on the newer model that doesn't fragment gamers such as USB 3.1 quick charging and 4K video playback in a slim design and people will slowly upgrade to the new units.

It isn't that you can't from a technical standpoint. It is that isn't how console games are designed. That is how using the same hardware consoles can give better performance than a PC. On a console you are developing for a set hardware standard, so you can optimize the engine to the fullest as you don't have to worry about different CPUs or gpus or different speeds and sizes of RAM... You know everyone has X so you code everything to work with only that hardware. That is why backwards compatibility isn't just a simple concept as you are trying to talk to hardware that isn't there and have to emulate all of that then and redirect commands.

If suddenly you had a better hardware version people now you have to worry about hardware. This means you lost your optimization and all games now run worse because you lose the one thing you have. You also now have two versions of the game. One for original hardware, then one for new hardware. So now you are looking at more work for the developers. As you have to optimize the base hardware version of the game, then test and optimize the better hardware version.

While they are getting closer to PC, consoles are still not every day pcs and game design is still very much different.

As others said the only option any of these companies would have is to release a new system. Buy why would they? The people that talk out their ass about consoles are the ones that don't game on them anyway. So doesn't matter what was release they would never buy one. Both systems are selling better than their last Gen counterparts so neither side is hurting. Developers can actually develops games for both sides this time around unlike the clusterfuck that was the PS3 and its SDK. If you look at gaming stats most PC gamers are still on 1080p or less. 4K hasn't taken off high enough for that to be the goal of every game yet. Come the next console in a few years sure. But at this point, not really.
 
We're like 2 years in to Xbox One. And it takes probably 2 years minimum to make a new console. A four year run for a flop is long enough. I'm thinking an early 'next gen' is more likely than a refresh.
 
Add to the above rumors then next Nintendo is rumored to be a powerhouse. So an early next gen console to compete and make Xbox One a memory makes a good story.
 
I think it'll be a while before we'll see a console able to match the performance of my current 6700K, GTX 980 Ti-based PC. There is the nice, integrated experience with consoles of course, but that can be as much a blessing as a curse at times.

Even if Nintendo's NX console (to be unveiled this year?) is all 'high-end' again, it won't have anything near such specs, unless buying a console for USD$1,000+ is suddenly the cool thing? :)
 
MS could turn the current Xbox One into a 4 year part, which still wouldn't be bad.

Reasons to do it would be to move on from the vision the creator of the Xbox One had, which MS apparently didn't like enough and fired, or moved or killed. :D

Regardless, I wanted both consoles, bought both consoles, played one game on each console and sold them afterwards. Don't need them and I hate the gaming landscape currently. Games are either refreshes of old ones, on rails or DLC based. I'll stick with PC for now.
 
Yeah you really cant change the specs a third of the way through a lifecycle.

Oh the moaning and herdrage...

Another gpu isn't that big a deal..... PC gaming and it's 30+ compatible gpu'S would like to have a word worth you.
 
I am waiting for the Xbox One 360 comes out.
 
Another gpu isn't that big a deal..... PC gaming and it's 30+ compatible gpu'S would like to have a word worth you.

Doesn't work that way in console world. The main selling point of consoles is they all have the same specification/power. You setup a two tier setup and confusion and web-rage abounds.

If you like I suggest you take up the job of Xbox Public Relations officer just before the upgrade.:D
 
I bet the most used phrase at the Xbox Team office is "if only we had a time machine..."

Either that or "that asshole Mattrick really knew jack about consoles!"
 
Besides, even if it was some "new" tech, it's worthless. Developers would still code for the lowest denominator ala no kinect.
 
Add to the above rumors then next Nintendo is rumored to be a powerhouse. So an early next gen console to compete and make Xbox One a memory makes a good story.

That powerhouse is going to fold like a ton of bricks and be a piece of shit. Are you going to leave your NX on 24x7 and give up all your bandwidth so that others around the world can use your system for gaming?

I think it'll be a while before we'll see a console able to match the performance of my current 6700K, GTX 980 Ti-based PC. There is the nice, integrated experience with consoles of course, but that can be as much a blessing as a curse at times.

Even if Nintendo's NX console (to be unveiled this year?) is all 'high-end' again, it won't have anything near such specs, unless buying a console for USD$1,000+ is suddenly the cool thing? :)

Keep in mind a console only needs about 3/4s of that to get the same performance, but still. Console and PC gaming will never be even. And they aren't meant to. Consoles are meant to be fast, easy ways for the average person to get into gaming with a fixed system. PCs are for those that want better graphics, more power, more flexibility...

I bet the most used phrase at the Xbox Team office is "if only we had a time machine..."

Either that or "that asshole Mattrick really knew jack about consoles!"

For having the best selling Xbox console in their history? Unless they went back in time to pass the success of the Xbox One on to the first Xbox somehow.

Don't forget last gen it was Wii, then Xbox 360 then PS3. Do you really consider the Wii the winner of the console wars?
 
I bet the most used phrase at the Xbox Team office is "if only we had a time machine..."

Either that or "that asshole Mattrick really knew jack about consoles!"

Maybe both in the same sentence. Mattrick was the one to thank for the lack of good first party titles in the later years of the 360's life, solely relying on third party support while they pumped all their internal resources into Kinect. Also the underpowered (and at launch overpriced) lame duck that is One.

Lesson learned - don't put a marketing, bullshitting asshat in charge.
 
Lesson learned - don't put a marketing, bullshitting asshat in charge.


Change that to -


Lesson learned - don't put a multi-millionaire, marketing, bullshitting asshat with a win-win contract in charge.

They had to learn that twice with Sinofski too within weeks of each other.
 
Unless the competition is wiping the floor with you.

Pretty much anything you say on the matter is worthless. I mean since you and your inside source working on the Xbox have declared this the last console MS makes. :rolleyes:

I love it when the MS haters come out. In every console generation there has to be one console that outsells another. Since we have three basic consoles one of them will always come out on top. Microsoft tried something different and it didn't work as well as they hoped, but it is still their best selling console.

If everything MS wanted to do worked and the machine came out on top over the PS everyone would be crying foul. How MS is pushing Sony out of the console industry and what not. The PS4 is a great gaming machine but worthless in all other aspects. it has mind numbing slow download speeds, the GUI is pathetic, their blu ray playback is worse than the PS3 and the X1, and their "free games" really aren't free.

Love my PS4 but the X1 is the better overall console in our house for our usage.
 
Pretty much anything you say on the matter is worthless. I mean since you and your inside source working on the Xbox have declared this the last console MS makes. :rolleyes:

I love it when the MS haters come out. In every console generation there has to be one console that outsells another. Since we have three basic consoles one of them will always come out on top. Microsoft tried something different and it didn't work as well as they hoped, but it is still their best selling console.

If everything MS wanted to do worked and the machine came out on top over the PS everyone would be crying foul. How MS is pushing Sony out of the console industry and what not. The PS4 is a great gaming machine but worthless in all other aspects. it has mind numbing slow download speeds, the GUI is pathetic, their blu ray playback is worse than the PS3 and the X1, and their "free games" really aren't free.

Love my PS4 but the X1 is the better overall console in our house for our usage.

Fully agree. There will never be an even market. But people just love to bash Microsoft so doesn't matter. Without looking it up I would like people to say how close the Sega genesis and SNES generations were to each other. Who won that fight? In the end, it doesn't matter, people bought both and enjoyed both. You don't look at either console as a failure because both were popular.

Same holds true now, the real failure this generation is the Wii U. Microsoft and Sony are both doing fine. Sony turned things around after failing last generation with the PS3 which struggled against the 360. They finally realized what they did wrong and this time can out with a strong product. Last generation you couldn't give away PS3s at the start of the generation. By the end PS3 and 360 were about even. Give it another year or two and you will start to see the gap between Xbox One and PS4 start to close as people start to buy both systems. I know PS4 owners that have been talking about buying a One and know others who already have. The cheaper console will take off faster, then people start to buy what their friends have. But after awhile once they both start to get cheaper people start to go for both.
 
Here's an idea microsoft... Build a modular console where component can be easily replaced/upgraded.

Then no need to design a new console from scratch every five to seven year, you only have to release updated components that are compatible with the console/hub. With console being connected to the internet now it would be trivial for a game to detect what hardware is installed and download more advance texture or other feature while keeping the base functionnality of the game uniform across a subset of available hardware, let say the last three iteration of upgrades.
 
Here's an idea microsoft... Build a modular console where component can be easily replaced/upgraded.

Then no need to design a new console from scratch every five to seven year, you only have to release updated components that are compatible with the console/hub. With console being connected to the internet now it would be trivial for a game to detect what hardware is installed and download more advance texture or other feature while keeping the base functionnality of the game uniform across a subset of available hardware, let say the last three iteration of upgrades.

So a pc?
 

No a console. No need for drivers and no unofficial upgrade possibility. Just pop the module and insert the new one.

Just like nintendo did in the NES and SNES days with helper chips delivered in the game cartridge, but instead of coming with the game they are sold as stand alone module. Say, one module for the CPU and one for the GPU, both comes with their own ram.

Take a design like the PS4 where the console is splited by a seam in the middle. The rigth top side would be the video module, the left top side the processor module. The bottom would be the hub with the ports and drives.
 
No a console. No need for drivers and no unofficial upgrade possibility. Just pop the module and insert the new one.

Just like nintendo did in the NES and SNES days with helper chips delivered in the game cartridge, but instead of coming with the game they are sold as stand alone module. Say, one module for the CPU and one for the GPU, both comes with their own ram.

Take a design like the PS4 where the console is splited by a seam in the middle. The rigth top side would be the video module, the left top side the processor module. The bottom would be the hub with the ports and drives.

I don't think you understand how these devices work, essentially what you describe is a pc (but crappier as you would be buying only approved modules). You would still need drivers, just like they are needed now, the only difference is the ones the console needs are preloaded.
 
I don't think you understand how these devices work, essentially what you describe is a pc (but crappier as you would be buying only approved modules). You would still need drivers, just like they are needed now, the only difference is the ones the console needs are preloaded.

and then there would be "compatibility certifications" that would be required and costly for hardware devs and that cost would trickle down to consumers. In the end you would get a pc gaming system with a gated community style hardware selection and games designed to run on the lowest hardware platform.
 
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