PlayStation 4/Orbis rumored with quad AMD A8, Radeon HD 7670
updated 03:55 pm EDT, Wed April 4, 2012
PS Orbis may use both dedicated and integrated GPU
Sony's PlayStation Orbis may have had some of its specifications firmed up through an unusually detailed rumor. The next-generation combo is now believed by IGN to be using one of AMD's current higher-end processors, the quad-core 2.9GHz A8-3850, with the as yet unannounced Radeon HD 7670. While the graphics would be considered low-end by modern standards, the A8's integrated Radeon HD 6550D video might be used in an asynchronous pairing to offload some tasks.
AMD's official multi-GPU mode, CrossFire, normally demands two of the exact same part for the speed-up to take effect. Sony isn't bound to using CrossFire and could implement its own method to use the two graphics cores across games.
The tips came with a disclaimer that there could be "changes" during the run-up to launch. Console makers often set general targets for performance and lock them down once it's known what they can realistically ship. Any rumor of the sort is unconfirmed and could be slightly off even if generally inaccurate.
Orbis rumors would still parallel one for the next Xbox, which could use its own dual Radeon HD setup. The Microsoft concept might have two equal-strength graphics cores and a different processor.
Neither system would ship until 2013, and most likely not until late that year.
