Tuesday, December 12th 2023
Sony PlayStation 5 Pro Packs an Updated RDNA3 GPU with 60 CU
Sony is developing the PlayStation 5 Pro console that targets higher refresh-rate gaming at 4K Ultra HD, or higher in-game eye-candy, given its faster hardware. Details about the console are few and far between, given its late-2024 tentative release, but by now the company would have co-developed its semi-custom SoC, so it could spend the next year extensively testing and optimizing it, before mass production in the 2-3 quarters leading up to the launch. Kepler_L2 and Tom Henderson on Twitter are fairly reliable sources for PlayStation hardware leaks, and piecing their recent posts together, VideoCardz compiled the most probable specs of the SoC at the heart of the PlayStation 5 Pro.
The semi-custom SoC powering the PlayStation 5 Pro is co-developed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and AMD; and is codenamed "Viola." The monolithic chip is built on the TSMC N4P foundry node (4 nm EUV), which is a big upgrade from the 7 nm DUV node on which the "Oberon" SoC powering the original PlayStation 5, and 6 nm DUV node powering the "Oberon Plus" SoC of the refreshed PS5, are based on. Sony is leaving the CPU component largely untouched, it is an 8-core/16-thread unit based on the "Zen 2" microarchitecture, spread across two 4-core CCXs. The CPU has a maximum boost frequency of 4.40 GHz, dialed up from the 3.50 GHz maximum boost of "Oberon." The iGPU is where all the magic happens.
The iGPU is based on the latest RDNA 3 graphics architecture, which is a step up from the RDNA 2 powering "Oberon." It has 30 workgroup processors (WGPs), which amount to 60 compute units, or 3,840 stream processors, 120 AI accelerators, and 60 Ray accelerators. In comparison, Oberon's iGPU is based on RDNA 2, and has just 18 WGPs (36 CU, or 2,304 stream processors). The memory sub-system gets an upgrade, too. It is 16 GB in size, just like the original PS5, but with its memory clock slightly bumped up to 18 Gbps (vs 14 Gbps), resulting in 576 GB/s bandwidth. This memory uses a unified memory architecture, and is shared between the CPU (main memory), and iGPU (graphics memory).
The picture above is fan-art by Technizo Concept, Sony hasn't finalized a production design. The company is allegedly targeting a November 2024 launch for the PlayStation 5 Pro.
Sources:
Tom Henderson (Twitter), Kepler L2 (Twtitter), VideoCardz
The semi-custom SoC powering the PlayStation 5 Pro is co-developed by Sony Computer Entertainment (SCE) and AMD; and is codenamed "Viola." The monolithic chip is built on the TSMC N4P foundry node (4 nm EUV), which is a big upgrade from the 7 nm DUV node on which the "Oberon" SoC powering the original PlayStation 5, and 6 nm DUV node powering the "Oberon Plus" SoC of the refreshed PS5, are based on. Sony is leaving the CPU component largely untouched, it is an 8-core/16-thread unit based on the "Zen 2" microarchitecture, spread across two 4-core CCXs. The CPU has a maximum boost frequency of 4.40 GHz, dialed up from the 3.50 GHz maximum boost of "Oberon." The iGPU is where all the magic happens.
The picture above is fan-art by Technizo Concept, Sony hasn't finalized a production design. The company is allegedly targeting a November 2024 launch for the PlayStation 5 Pro.
101 Comments on Sony PlayStation 5 Pro Packs an Updated RDNA3 GPU with 60 CU
Smart business eh
Everyone saying the console will replace the PC and PC gaming is gonna die obviously didn't get it. The console is becoming part of the PC ecosystem instead. Its the mainstream console that is dying. The leftovers are handhelds, mobiles, etc... and most of them run the same games regardless. :)
I'm just curious what the PS5Pro is going to cost, with the 7800XT comfortably retailing for $500 by itself still. We know consoles are subsidised but that's a pretty big step up from the PS5...
Consoles and handhelds based on AMD hardware help keep a level playing field against an Nvidia monopoly which no one wants.
Competition in the SoC space from Apple, Intel, Qualcomm, Mediatek and soon nVidia will push products including AMD’s to deliver iGPUs with close to console pixel power in the OEM laptop/desktop and DIY markets.
Multiple players with diverse architectures and several competing OSes sure beats Wintel or even Wintel-nVidia domination.
Developer performance issues aren't tied to the use of x86 ISA.
@topic
Why isn't there any mention in the article about the GPU utilizing components/ASICs of RDNA4 ?
Now they're just Small form factor PCs in a fancy case using slightly tweaked, cost reduced PC tech.
two titles in mind - cyberpunk and alan wake 2
Just a sticker with PS5 and only disadvantages connected to it won't fly. But consoles are rapidly moving in that direction, in fact they've already arrived there, most people just fail to realize it.
Like live services and game passes.
gamersGen Z(?) who spend $2K or more on a "gaming" laptop with much worse internals & thermals than an even older 6900XT, so your point?The biggest reason or at least one of the biggest reasons people still buy consoles is the exclusives & not having to tinker with their machines!
This has been the gist of PC gaming for decades now. Ever since Win 7 >SP1 gaming on PC was pretty problem free.
Its mostly perception and people being afraid and lazy of something else, while taking the 'not so plug and play' quality of consoles in their stride.
Its really all about expectations and perspective plus 'what you know'. The PC isn't more complicated anymore, and then you don't even need to DIY one either. You can get Windows pre installed and you just push the power button and install a launcher. The differences are in the UI, not much else.
In the case of the Xbox series though, yeah, those are basically prebuilts that work out of the box with an Xbox OS. Even some Xbox execs have mentioned they've mostly given up competing with Sony on special features, in favor of selling more services and using the Xbox as a cheaper, gaming-oriented, all-in-one. As a side-bonus, it's not even affected by viruses the same way a regular PC is.