Computer chip purveyor AMD has secured the licences to provide the next generation of consoles with its processing and graphics hardware. The PlayStation 4 will be running AMD for both tasks, as, it’s rumoured, will Microsoft’s next generation Xbox. Even Nintendo’s Wii U uses AMD graphics hardware. In short, AMD owns the next generation of consoles.
It could even impact future PC games. Right off the bat, games primarily developed for consoles will be optimised for AMD hardware, and Pc games will be able to make use of the optimisation. It could spell trouble for its biggest competitor, Nvidia.
While Nvidia supplied the graphics hardware for the PlayStation 3, it won’t be doing the same in the next gen. Nvidia’s now downplaying AMD triumph; saying that next-gen partnerships weren’t worthwhile.
"I’m sure there was a negotiation that went on," Tony Tamasi, a senior Nvidia exec told GameSpot, "and we came to the conclusion that we didn’t want to do the business at the price those guys were willing to pay".
"Having been through the original Xbox and PS3, we understand the economics of [console development] and the tradeoffs," he added.
So it’s a money thing then? Nvidia seems to not be to upset about losing out on hitting the next-gen big time – but there does seem to be an inkling of sour grapes. I think this nonchalance is a facade.
"We’re building a whole bunch of stuff," he said. "In the end, you only have so many engineers and so much capability, and if you’re going to go off and do chips for Sony or Microsoft, then that’s probably a chip that you’re not doing for some other portion of your business.
"And at least in the case of Sony and Nvidia, in terms of PS4, AMD has the business and Nvidia doesn’t. We’ll see how that plays out from a business perspective I guess. It’s clearly not a technology thing."
Instead Nvidia will be focusing its technology on joining the console race itself - with its handheld, Android powered streaming wonder The Shield – a device that I’m struggling to find any real enthusiasm for.
Last Updated: March 15, 2013
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:03
Har har har…hee hee hee
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:09
I was going to post “Wait till Admiral Chief Erwin hears about this” but, alas, you have beaten me to it. So, instead, I plan on mowing you down in the SuperBru challenges this weekend! 😉
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:11
Speaking of which:
Cheetahs are on fire! Although I hope they lose. I managed to climb 12 spots after the first game today 😛
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:12
Oh balls to the walls, I better go check my ranking. brb…
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:16
Dammit! Dropped 2.9%! What a start to the weekend *hangs head…
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:21
2 mins left, Cheetahs might make it! One point only!
Tarisma
March 15, 2013 at 12:22
its so stressful
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:23
CHEETAH WIN!!!!
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:22
Cheetahs!!!!!
Tarisma
March 15, 2013 at 12:23
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:38
FTW!
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:23
WOOOOOOOO, WINNAR
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:27
NIIIIIIIICE!
Admiral Chief Erwin
March 15, 2013 at 12:29
We managed to change the whole conversation thread away from how awesome AMD is to SUPER RUGBY, and I am ok with that 🙂
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:30
Hahahaha! I can think of a few people who would be pleased to hear that 😉
The Bearded Happy Dutchman
March 15, 2013 at 12:41
CHEEEEEEEEETTTTAAAAAAAAHHHHSSSSSSSS!!!!!
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:41
And a Bells for you too!
Sir Captain Rincethis
March 15, 2013 at 12:33
Sorry to hijack the thread Geoff, epic header by the by! 🙂
Milesh Bhana
March 15, 2013 at 12:41
not completely surprising. The Tegra CPUs are quite prominent in the smartphone market, so they’re probably focusing more on that than on consoles.
HvR
March 15, 2013 at 12:44
Nvidia is probably making more out of the mobile market, where low margin is better off set by the high volumes over short periods.
Gideon Carstens
March 15, 2013 at 13:01
Anyone got the latest water-polo score?
matthurstrsa
March 15, 2013 at 13:04
Article: Sometimes focus is better? I do think there would definitely be some sour grapes there though.
Superbru: Stupid Highlanders but epic Cheetahs!
Skyblue
March 15, 2013 at 23:36
So cheap ass AMD specs for all the next gen consoles, sigh, no surprise there
Whazzza
March 19, 2013 at 15:30
i will choose the underrated performance of any AMD specced system (console) any day than to weep over some gold-coated plaits on some iffy perfomance riddled Nvidia innard-ed monstrosity. Never had negative issues with AMD powered system but had a ocean-wide ones with the green company setups (NV)…so yeah, cant wait to be proven right…turd-encrusted seat anyone?