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Intel, NVidia, ATI... out of the picture?
Recent news stories report that Microsoft may design their own chips for the Xbox 2 design. This means that the manufacturers of the current Xbox console may be out of the picture. For the Xbox 1, NVidia had won the bid to supply the graphics chips for the Xbox, and Intel won the bidding war against the CPU manufacturer AMD.
NVidia and MS... the end of a beautiful relationship
Nvidia's share price rose after they reported doing quite well even though worldwide Microsoft Xbox sales were below expection. Insiders report that Microsoft didn't like Nvidia's refusal to lower the cost of their chip set, and apparently Microsoft is getting ready for legal action against Nvidia, based on a breach of agreement between the two companies.
XBox 2 is a DIY for Microsoft
The main reason for this move is of course the cost for Microsoft for the use of these components in the Xbox, which are largely responsible for the high price of the console, making it extra-hard for MS to offer the console at a reduced price. The surprising news is that Microsoft aims not only to develop and produce their own graphics chips, but also the main CPU, by which Microsoft plans to shake off its dependency on X86 suppliers.
Sources say that Microsoft has posted a request for quotation for a DirectX9/10 microcode engine, the part of the chip that decodes and processes DirectX instructions.
Rather receive than pay license fees
Microsoft's move into chip development and production was foreshadowed by their recent acquisition of Silicon Graphics patents. This means that they can implement many features into their chips that otherwise would require licensing, AND it means that other chip manufacturers like ATI and NVidia will have to start paying Microsoft license fees.
MSIL all the way
The CPU for the Xbox 2 is rumoured to be designed to be a processor that can decode and execute instructions in Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) while at the same time being able to run x86 code, to remain compatible with Xbox 1.
Xbox 2, the real "home station?"
The Xbox 1 has underperformed in terms of projected sales. Forced to follow the price reductions of the Sony's and Nintendo's video game consoles, the Xbox price drop to $199 means that Microsoft is making at least $100 loss on each console sold. The plan is to subsidise this with increased software sales, but this calculation may only provide positive resuls in years to come, and perhaps only with Xbox 2. Not unlike Sony's drive to develop a "home station" that would function as the center of a home entertainment system, Microsoft plans to make the Xbox 2 the machine that will take over our living rooms, providing not only video game entertainment, but also online functions, and direct-to-disk digital TV recording. Microsoft has deep pockets and may venture on undeterred of the moderate success of Xbox 1, but it may take Xbox 2 or even Xbox 3 or 4 before Microsoft's plan for global domination of our living rooms becomes reality.
Recent news stories report that Microsoft may design their own chips for the Xbox 2 design. This means that the manufacturers of the current Xbox console may be out of the picture. For the Xbox 1, NVidia had won the bid to supply the graphics chips for the Xbox, and Intel won the bidding war against the CPU manufacturer AMD.
NVidia and MS... the end of a beautiful relationship
Nvidia's share price rose after they reported doing quite well even though worldwide Microsoft Xbox sales were below expection. Insiders report that Microsoft didn't like Nvidia's refusal to lower the cost of their chip set, and apparently Microsoft is getting ready for legal action against Nvidia, based on a breach of agreement between the two companies.
XBox 2 is a DIY for Microsoft
The main reason for this move is of course the cost for Microsoft for the use of these components in the Xbox, which are largely responsible for the high price of the console, making it extra-hard for MS to offer the console at a reduced price. The surprising news is that Microsoft aims not only to develop and produce their own graphics chips, but also the main CPU, by which Microsoft plans to shake off its dependency on X86 suppliers.
Sources say that Microsoft has posted a request for quotation for a DirectX9/10 microcode engine, the part of the chip that decodes and processes DirectX instructions.
Rather receive than pay license fees
Microsoft's move into chip development and production was foreshadowed by their recent acquisition of Silicon Graphics patents. This means that they can implement many features into their chips that otherwise would require licensing, AND it means that other chip manufacturers like ATI and NVidia will have to start paying Microsoft license fees.
MSIL all the way
The CPU for the Xbox 2 is rumoured to be designed to be a processor that can decode and execute instructions in Microsoft Intermediate Language (MSIL) while at the same time being able to run x86 code, to remain compatible with Xbox 1.
Xbox 2, the real "home station?"
The Xbox 1 has underperformed in terms of projected sales. Forced to follow the price reductions of the Sony's and Nintendo's video game consoles, the Xbox price drop to $199 means that Microsoft is making at least $100 loss on each console sold. The plan is to subsidise this with increased software sales, but this calculation may only provide positive resuls in years to come, and perhaps only with Xbox 2. Not unlike Sony's drive to develop a "home station" that would function as the center of a home entertainment system, Microsoft plans to make the Xbox 2 the machine that will take over our living rooms, providing not only video game entertainment, but also online functions, and direct-to-disk digital TV recording. Microsoft has deep pockets and may venture on undeterred of the moderate success of Xbox 1, but it may take Xbox 2 or even Xbox 3 or 4 before Microsoft's plan for global domination of our living rooms becomes reality.
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cipro wrote:
> MS are supposedly going to loose $1.1billion on the x-box this year, I
> doubt their in a rush to make another 3 consoles just yet, not until
> they start making profit anyway.
It would not cost them to much as it would just be another annual upgrade so when Smoking Guns say Xbox 2,3, and 4 he really means Xbox 1.2,1.3 and 1.4.
> MS are supposedly going to loose $1.1billion on the x-box this year, I
> doubt their in a rush to make another 3 consoles just yet, not until
> they start making profit anyway.
It would not cost them to much as it would just be another annual upgrade so when Smoking Guns say Xbox 2,3, and 4 he really means Xbox 1.2,1.3 and 1.4.
cipro wrote:
> MS are supposedly going to loose $1.1billion on the x-box this year, I
> doubt their in a rush to make another 3 consoles just yet, not until
> they start making profit anyway.
You realy think that makes a big difference to Bill Gates's bank balence.
> MS are supposedly going to loose $1.1billion on the x-box this year, I
> doubt their in a rush to make another 3 consoles just yet, not until
> they start making profit anyway.
You realy think that makes a big difference to Bill Gates's bank balence.
MS are supposedly going to loose $1.1billion on the x-box this year, I doubt their in a rush to make another 3 consoles just yet, not until they start making profit anyway.
hold on, hold on, just another thought. Seriously, if Xbox 2, 3, or 4 come out in the "normal" time frame - then there is a big chance here that they may not have DVD for games. Could be into the area of Broadband requirement by then. So you would download the entire game over broadband, not just have a few on line play modes. But if it's "pure" broadband (ie, no DVD or other removable media), then i will be choosing a different machine since i can't get broadband where i live!
AfroJoe wrote:
> Dave RJR wrote:
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder
> or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
>
> ---
>
> Neither.
>
> Nah, I would like the PS3, but I don't like GTA games.
In that case i would have the Xbox 4.
> Dave RJR wrote:
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder
> or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
>
> ---
>
> Neither.
>
> Nah, I would like the PS3, but I don't like GTA games.
In that case i would have the Xbox 4.
Dave RJR wrote:
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
---
Neither.
Nah, I would like the PS3, but I don't like GTA games.
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
---
Neither.
Nah, I would like the PS3, but I don't like GTA games.
Dave RJR wrote:
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
Xbox of course.
> Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or
> a PS2 with GTA4?
Xbox of course.
So then this it what we can expect...
XBox 2: 800Mhz / 128Mb RAM / 8x DVD
Xbox 3: 866Mhz / 132Mb Ram / 12x DVD
XBox 4: 1.0Ghz / 192Mb Ram / 16x DVD
As for hybrid machines (xBox + hard disc recorder), they are expensive due to the extra tech built in, and as a result less people can afford them. Plus, with loads of hype, people think that u cant have a machine without this hybrid technology. Then some hardware never reaches the UK anyway (Panasonic Q Cube anyone).
Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or a PS2 with GTA4?
XBox 2: 800Mhz / 128Mb RAM / 8x DVD
Xbox 3: 866Mhz / 132Mb Ram / 12x DVD
XBox 4: 1.0Ghz / 192Mb Ram / 16x DVD
As for hybrid machines (xBox + hard disc recorder), they are expensive due to the extra tech built in, and as a result less people can afford them. Plus, with loads of hype, people think that u cant have a machine without this hybrid technology. Then some hardware never reaches the UK anyway (Panasonic Q Cube anyone).
Then again, which would rather have. xbox with hard drive recorder or a PS2 with GTA4?
WòókieeMøn§†€® wrote:
> Brought to you courtesy of...
>
> http://www.psreporter.com/xbox_2_news.html
I know but did other people knoe that there was going to be an Xbox2,3 and 4.
> Brought to you courtesy of...
>
> http://www.psreporter.com/xbox_2_news.html
I know but did other people knoe that there was going to be an Xbox2,3 and 4.
Anything that MS design from the ground up on there own merit has to be a real worry for people considering buying it.
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