NEWS - Tuesday, February 3, 2004
(RUMOR) - Xbox 2 Set To Go Multiprocessor?
A source at Microsoft has revealed that its Xbox 2 console is set to use multiple PowerPC processors in parallel - while the hard drive may be supplied as an optional extra instead. This information confirms reports received from developers over the past weeks, with the first solid facts about the Xbox 2 slipping out after Microsoft briefed a number of its key development partners on the current state of the system. Our sources indicate that the console will use "four or more" of the IBM PowerPC processors, an architecture which will force game developers to significantly rethink the way that games are programmed in order to take full advantage of it. It seems likely now that all three next generation consoles will utilise multiple powerful processors - with Sony’s PS3 expected to use up to eight of its new Cell microprocessors, the Xbox 2 now known to be a multi-processor architecture, and Nintendo’s "N5" (about which, admittedly, little is known) also likely to follow down the multiple PowerPC route, as Nintendo also has a deal with IBM and will almost certainly end up using very similar chips to Microsoft.Source: http://news.designtechnica.com/
