Wednesday, April 4th 2012
Orbis Implements Multi-GPU, Too
Sony's next-generation PlayStation, reportedly codenamed "Orbis", is known to be powered by an AMD x86-64 CPU with graphics based on its Southern Islands architecture, from the older report. We're now hearing that Sony may implement a multi-GPU solution of its own. According to an IGN.com report, the CPU in question will be a custom-version of AMD's A8-3850 quad-core APU. This should serve as indication that the processor cores will be based on AMD's K10 Stars architecture, rather than K15 Bulldozer/Piledriver.
The GPU, on the other hand, will be based on the "Southern Islands" architecture, and the IGN.com report pin points it to resemble Radeon HD 7670. The HD 7670 is a re-branded HD 6670, which is based on the 40 nm "Turks" GPU. Turks uses neither Graphics CoreNext nor VLIW4, but the older VLIW5 number-crunching machinery. The most interesting piece of information here is talk of a multi-GPU configuration between this Turks-based GPU, and the GPU that's embedded into the "Llano" APU. We know that the graphics core embedded into AMD A8-3850, the Radeon HD 6550D, can work in tandem with Radeon HD 6670 to yield an AMD Hybrid CrossFireX configuration called "Radeon HD 6690D2". This could be end up being Sony's graphics weapon of choice.
Speaking of choices, we see that AMD is falling back to established technologies, be it K10 Stars CPU cores, or VLIW5-based GPUs, avoiding Bulldozer CPU. While its new Graphics CoreNext architecture is found to be fairly efficient in performance GPUs such as the HD 7700 series, its incompatibility with Llano's graphics could have served as a deal-breaker. Pictured above, is fan-made concept art.
Source:
IGN
The GPU, on the other hand, will be based on the "Southern Islands" architecture, and the IGN.com report pin points it to resemble Radeon HD 7670. The HD 7670 is a re-branded HD 6670, which is based on the 40 nm "Turks" GPU. Turks uses neither Graphics CoreNext nor VLIW4, but the older VLIW5 number-crunching machinery. The most interesting piece of information here is talk of a multi-GPU configuration between this Turks-based GPU, and the GPU that's embedded into the "Llano" APU. We know that the graphics core embedded into AMD A8-3850, the Radeon HD 6550D, can work in tandem with Radeon HD 6670 to yield an AMD Hybrid CrossFireX configuration called "Radeon HD 6690D2". This could be end up being Sony's graphics weapon of choice.
88 Comments on Orbis Implements Multi-GPU, Too
This kind of make this piece of "news" suspect and braking Sony's modus operandi. They've always used their consoles to trojan their other hardware into people's homes.
EG, one can render the game, the other adds post processing, or the second runs GPGPU/direct compute tasks exclusively.
there is many ways this could be used properly, i do not believe multi GPU issues from PC will translate across to console.
Everything in computers translates to consoles. Look at the CELL as a prime example. The issues plaguing computer developers with multithreading are amplified on PS3 because they not only have two cores to code, but also 7 SPEs. Developers simply don't use the SPEs unless what they are trying to achieve requires it. CELL was abandoned for that reason.
Console developers have the same push for profits as PC developers. If they can achieve their goals without using the intricacies of hardware, they're not going to go there.
Likewise, the issue of limited RAM in consoles translates back to computers.
sure at console level graphics, they dont go over it.
meh, this arguing is pointless. these consoles are still a MASSIVE improvement over current gen, and most people are happy with current gen console graphics. they'll be faster, more power efficient, and more features.
I know this is only concerning titles that the dev's put the effort into making the scaling work better. But it still shows the GPU's are very capable of doing it.
forgive me if I miss understood what you were saying. this is how I see it though, current and even last gen are VERY capable of scaling well together.