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Rumor: PSP2 will have quad-core GPU

Posted Jul 7, 2009 at 3:16AM EST by Karl B.

Listed in: PSP Tags: CES, hydra, PSP2, Quake, SEC, Sony

Ah, numbers. Sony's already cleared up that 480MHz figure on the PSP Go, but now we have another rumor bringing up more impressive digits that lay in the PSP's future.

Eurogamer.es is claiming to have insider sources who say that the PSP2 (note that this isn't the same as the PSP Go) will have a quad-core graphics chip inside its as-yet-unrevealed structure. This is reportedly a quad-core version of the low-power SGX543MP chip, codenamed "Hydra".

Eurogamer's translation of the original Spanish report notes that the single core version of the chip has been demonstrated at CES running Quake 3 Arena at 30FPS. I can't claim to know a whole lot about hardware, so here's more from Eurogamer:

The obvious difference of course is that the SGX543MP is a multicore processor, available with anything up to 16 cores on tap. According to the original report, PSP2 opts for a quad configuration offering notional specs of 133 million polygons per second, and 4Gpixels/sec fillrate, assuming that Hydra operates at the chip's low-end of 200MHz (higher speed variants are also available, presumably for desktop use). While specs like this are always subject to interpretation, these figures are a ballpark match for the original Xbox. However, PowerVR's tech includes tile-based deferred rendering, which should provide a nice performance boost.

The chip is also described as being able to operate as both graphics processor and CPU, so the PSP2 could conceivably use a single chip for everything, which can save power as well as being more efficient from a programming perspective.

Via Eurogamer

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core2kid, laptops do indeed have GPUs, they're a necessary part of just about anything running Windows. Whether that be an integrated intel chip or the mobile version of a GEForce 8200, laptops have GPUs.

They said the core they had running was playing Quake 3 at 30fps. This makes it roughly as powerful as a Riva TNT2 (cutting edge in like, 1999). 4 Riva TNT2s do not equal one GEForce 7800 (roughly the power of the graphics processor in a PS3).

There is a whole lot more to how powerful something is than just how many cores it has, things like cache, clock speed, and pipelines, ram speed etc. factor in as well. A single core may in fact beat a quad core, like the example I showed above.

I'm assuming when you said CPU you meant GPU XD

# No chance — apex05 2009-07-07 08:37

You need a hell of a lot more than that to emulate Ps2, and people expecting Xbox level graphics have to remember there is a cooling issue with high end graphics like that and putting a fan on a handheld isn't the most practical idea.

# yup... — jackspade 2009-07-07 08:48

xbox graphics isnt even close to high end anymore, ive got a pc at my work that runs at about the same speed as the psp and overheats all the time. as technology gets better the chips can run a lot cooler without overheating. im not saying its doable, just that it isnt as simple as that

# not to mention — Mr Toasty 2009-07-07 09:06

We're talking a single core vs a quad core. The quad core allows for much lower speeds (yes there would be a temp increase given that they're all scrunched together) for the same amount of power.

On top of that, fabrication processes have shrunk quite a bit since 8 years ago. Even something like a laptop nowadays is smaller and runs cooler than an xbox but still allows for better graphics, despite the Windows overhead.

apex is right on one thing though, no chance in hell of PS2 emulation, they still have trouble with that on quad core PCs and the PS3.

# Not yet — apex05 2009-07-07 09:07

Mobile processor technology is still years away from reliably running anything like that, but even if someone magically made a processor that can run at Xbox level without external cooling in the next few years, the biggest problem that cannot be fixed is lithium batteries would feel like a chunk of lava within 2 minutes and would fry the Psp.

# True or NOT!? — Cyber-X- 2009-07-07 09:46

PSP II will be made in the near future.

There is no reason why Sony wouldn't.

Even with piracy there making Millions.

There probably making more money do to Homebrew scene.

How many of you got the PSP mostly because of it's capability of running homebrew?

PSP became one of the biggest homebrew platforms in the world.

# :( — truk 2009-07-07 11:15

even my grandma knew that, gosh

# ... — FelisCatusLover 2009-07-07 13:49

I'd like to see an Intel Core or Atom processor, 1GB RAM minimum, multi-touch touch screen, two analog sticks, 802.11n or at least g, ditch that god damn b already, built-in microphone, turning camera, Bluetooth, internal flash drive in different sizes and a Memory Stick Micro slot.

# nice, but — cmbeke 2009-07-07 14:13

knowing sony we will get a psp2 that has half that stuff but cost twice the amout it should

# you are a moron. — celebbb 2009-07-07 14:31

i agree with Kotonoha. Laptops DO HAVE GPU's. Most smartphones have GPU's, and the PS3 has a hell of a GPU. Netbooks for cripes sake have GPU. The current PSP CPU technically has a dual core, as it has a single processor separated into 2 sections of gates (tiny transistors). All laptops have GPU, ALL. You've got to not go outside if you don't know all computers and laptops, netbooks and smartphones must have some sort of separate graphics processing unit, if they dont, you end up with a command line. dumb***

# Hahahaa you cant be serious — celebbb 2009-07-07 14:37

I'm not sure you understand the difference between wireless N, G and B. Wireless N and G are the same thing, the difference is that N supplies a watt more transmission power. Same with B and G, except B has a slightly lower bit rate. an atom processor would kill the PSPs battery in under 20 min. oh, and incase you didnt know, the PlayStation brand will never show up with anything but MS, because MS is a sony format. 1GB ram would be useless to a handheld, seriously. Multi-Touch is an apple patent, it cant be done by any company legaly. a Camera is probable, but too expensive. And from what you've described, its a netbook, with more ram. Have you seen the size of a netbook? try to fit one in your pocket ;)

# ... — FelisCatusLover 2009-07-07 16:20

actually the Atom would be fine, its designed for mobility. and the PSP Go has built in memory i believe, as well as MS micro. 1GB RAM would be perfect, more then PS3! Multi-Touch is NOT owned by apple, many other phones that ripped off the iPhone have mult-touch

# wow... — genesiscopy 2009-07-07 20:31

meh to RAM, who needs that much for buffering anyways.. and knowing the software stacking structure of Sony's software engineers, they dont even need that much ram. for buffering frames for that small screen, one need just a wee bit of ram. okay, mayb needed more for browsing or in-game xmb, but ram is kinda cheap nowadays.

OTOH no dedicated hardware for gpu? now that's an issue. even ps3 has their own dedicated gpu. it gives too much load for the processor to do too many things at a time, i do know that the architecture has more cores to be spent on, but what about the bus bandwidth issue, like memory controller and the likes.

# Lol — Thirsty Cow 2009-07-07 20:42

You might be able to emulate NDS games making nintendo going out of business with a psp than is a psp AND DS lol

# GP-GPU — eudolus 2009-07-08 03:53

with a general purpose graphics chip like this they dont need anything else. devs could reserve 1 or 2 cores for general processing while the others can handle graphics, or vice-versa.

With this chips poly count per second being 155 million (ps2 being 75 mil) at only 200 mhz we could see some seriously impressive graphics. perhaps if they also increase the clock speeds to 300+ we could even get over 200 mil.

Just cross your fingures...

# ... — eudolus 2009-07-08 04:48

oops meant 133 million not 155...

# ... — Kotonoha 2009-07-08 06:11

Because storing entire games in RAM will make them faster.

You are an idiot.

# ... — FelisCatusLover 2009-07-08 08:28

The more RAM the better, but sadly, thats one thing Sony hates, RAM. They put a lousy 256MB main RAM in the PS3, and only 192MB is actually used for games (the other bit is used for the in-game XMB).

# AV? — downloader1122 2009-07-08 09:31

I don't think they will get far with audio or video decoding by putting everything on one chip.

But having multiple cores brings it closer to home consoles and PCs making multi-platform games easier to develop without sacrificing so much. For example DS versions of games available on other consoles can end up looking and playing totally different, like what's the point?

# I agree — CityNightRush117 2009-07-08 12:16

Though in the beginning, people bought a PSP because it had #D and was the new kickass portable every kid had to have. It became the new Gameboy when it was released, but to be honest, I only bought a PSP so I could hack it. It's much more economical and simple to have a system that can play the official Sony items like UMD and whatnot while also being able to play all those retro consoles on it as well. Plus, we can even save on UMD carry-ons since we can back them up and put them on the MS whereas an unhacked PSP would refuse to run it.

This is a true statement, because even though piracy may be on a rise and PSP homebrew is technically piracy of a PSP, Sony is still selling tons of these units to fill the demand of users who want to get the system in the first place.

# Screw Hardware — CityNightRush117 2009-07-08 12:21

Until there are games created for the new handheld that are even worth playing but require a beastly hardware system, I'd rather not want to hear of these rumors, because then other rumors will surface and it'll be a whole mess until the actual thing is revealed and everyone gets disappointed by another backfire, like the PSPGo (Though honestly, I'm still liking the system, but it doesn't make up for the hype and rumors created for it).

Now unless this PSP has a future, such as hardcore gfx or quality gameplay, there is no need for a new GPU or even a CPU since the current PSP CPU works just fine for everything, it's only a matter of execution that determines how well the hardware performs. An example are current emus on the PSP. I find it rather funny how PSX games can run exceptionally well on the portable whereas the N64 or even the SNES emus barely hold themselves together. The hardware is great as it is, but the coding and creation of these apps to run the things you want, not-so.

# erm celebbb — Mr Toasty 2009-07-08 18:50

Plenty of early electronics had no graphics processor, for example all the gameboys used the main cpu for graphics rendering, even with the DS all video rendering is done on the same chip that handles gameplay mechanisms.

A single processor for everything may not be a widely used choice for computing, but it is a possible one, with or without command line.

# dont see the use of it — GeppyZ 2009-07-14 09:10

Why quadcore? i mean, isnt that a bit overkill? wouldnt it be faster if it would be single core or dual? i mean most programmer's dont really get that much more out of multicore programming

# ... — T D 2009-07-19 23:54

So you want a netbook...

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