880°

PlayStation 4 & AMD Radeon R9 290X GPU share the same 8 ACE ( Asynchronous Compute Engines )

Newly leaked slides from AMD's new Radeon R9 290X Hawaii GPU reveals that the Volcanic Islands GPU will also feature 8 Asynchronous Compute Engines much like the Liverpool GPU inside of Sony's new PS4.

Each of the 8 ACE's can manage up to 8 compute queues for a total of 64 compute commands, in comparison the HD 7970 only has 2 ACE's that could only queue 2 compute commands for a total of 4 & the Xbox One only has 2 ACE's but they also manage up to 8 compute queues for a total of 16 compute queues.

Could this mean that the PS4's GPU is also apart of AMD's Volcanic Islands family?

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M-M3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

"Could this mean that the PS4's GPU is also apart of AMD's Volcanic Islands family?"

Of course, Sony is part of the HSA Foundation.

thereapersson3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

When Sony said custom architecture, they weren't kidding.

"Can saturate PCIe 3.0 x16 bus bandwidth"

mewhy323840d ago

Wow. It's already common knowledge that the PS4 is the most powerful console ever conceived. The GPU in the PS4 is leaps and bounds above any other console on the market or coming to the market.

DomceM3840d ago

not as good as highest end steambox. sorry.

XB1_PS43840d ago

@DomceM "good" is not the right word. Ps4 will not be as "powerful", but it will most likely be better.

Benjammin253840d ago

@DomceM Doesn't cost over a grand like a high end steam box.

nunley333839d ago

@DomceM The steam box also isn't a console either, its still a small form pc that hooks up to your tv.

Eonjay3839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

This was actually old news. It basically means that in addition to having more raw power in Flops, it can also do more compute calculation per cycle (physics,ect) by a factor of 4 than the Xbox One. When we say the PS4 is more powerful, its not a fanboy thing... its a physics thing. I am not paying 20% more to get 1/4 the compute ability of a cheaper machine...

GraveLord3839d ago Show
gaffyh3839d ago

Saw this on Neogaf which I found interesting, this is just about the GPU though:

X1 GPU:
1.18 TF GPU (12 CUs) for games
768 Shaders
48 Texture units
16 ROPS
2 ACE/ 16 queues

PS4 GPU:
1.84TF GPU (18 CUs) for games + 56%
1152 Shaders +50%
72 Texture units +50%
32 ROPS + 100%
8 ACE/64 queues +300%

This was posted a while ago, so it looks like the rumoured specs are accurate.

darthv723839d ago

@gravelord...nobody ever thought that. in fact, fans on both sides knew neither system was using-off-the-shelf parts.

P0werVR3839d ago

...This is an astute observation, but come on fellas. Please don't run with this, you'll just look embarrassed at the end. Just like Xbox fanboy with his "insider" conversations.

Just wait until it comes DIRECTLY from Sony. So volcanic family?! NO! Asychronous Compute Engines?! YES!

osprey193839d ago

@mewhy32. Did u not read the article? The article says it has the same specs (at least in this regard) as the xbox one.

DigitallyAfflicted3839d ago

Yeah baby bring it on sumo power :)

dantesparda3839d ago

Question, how do we know that the PS4 has 8 ACE's with 8 compute queues? Sony isnt talking (which is really annoying me), heck we dont even know what the CPU speed is (everyone just assumes 1.6ghz becuase of the VGleaks)

saber000053839d ago

Did DomceM just created the Steam Fanboy club? Ohh... My...

Eonjay3839d ago

@dantesparda This isn't really new. Its been talked about for months. Remember all Mark Cerny's interviews where he says that the power Compute will be unlocked in about 2 years? Yeah it was stated back then that the GPU contains 8 ACE's. Thats where you get the GPGPU stuff from. The X1 also has ACEs that will be used for physics and what not, the PS4 just has 400% more.

The Killer3839d ago

PS4 is the most powerful console but not PC.

yes in the future or even maybe current times, there exist better GPUs than ps4, BUT at what cost?

how much will it cost us to have a new PC which has the same GPU and CPU throughput power? i doubt it will be anything less than a $1000 USD.

Plus, the console graphics can be fully optimized with time! so it gets only better within the first 3-4 years into the console life cycle.

if anyone can tell me if there is a PC right now that costs $400 USD and has the same power as ps4 then please let me know.

dantesparda3839d ago

@Eonjay

Thanks, i hope you're right

thereapersson3839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

@gravelord...nobody ever thought that. in fact, fans on both sides knew neither system was using-off-the-shelf parts.

Edit:

Actually that is a common point used by most PC fans and some Xbox fans. Pay more attention and you'll see it on comment forums all over the net.

juggulator3839d ago

@dantesparda

Mark Cerny confirmed it. He helped design the PS4's architecture.
http://www.extremetech.com/...

Linwelin3839d ago

@nunley33 isn't that what the PS4 and XBone do ? running on similar hardware too, i fail to see the difference here, and steam has its own OS just like the other consoles.

MarkusMcNugen3839d ago

@Benjammin25 and @nunley33

A stand-alone computer running a specialized OS specifically designed for entertainment and video games... what would you call that? Perhaps, a console. If you want to call the steambox a PC then so is the PS4 and the Xbox One, especially now that they share the same x86 architecture with PCs. And price doesnt matter, Sonys claim was that the PS4 was the most powerful console, unfortunately Valve's Steambox has now taken that claim away from Sony.

Eonjay3839d ago

@MarkusMcNugen its a PC. The parts are interchangeable with off the shelf parts. The term console indicate a closed systems. Like a PC or laptop, you can upgrade the Ram, and GPU of any SteamBox. It is essentially a PC. The Piston can however be considered a console because it is non-upgradeable.

AndrewLB3839d ago

The weakest steambox is more powerful than PS4. Get your facts straight

Mombasa693839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

Not even 2 Titans can saturate PCIe 3.0x16 Bandwidth, what a load of old bollox.

+ Show (24) more repliesLast reply 3839d ago
pyramidshead3840d ago

This is brilliant news if true :).

LostDjinn3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

Agreed. At the very least it means that "gamble" with the ACEs wasn't a gamble at all. They'll be used for games on both PS4 and PC in future.

Edit: Because nobody's building a "gable" in the comments. :S

G20WLY3840d ago

Yes, but what do NVIDIA say about this? Only then will we know for sure how good this is /S

...don't worry, they'll be along soon to say why it's not as good as their latest effort. lol *rolls eyes*

Benjammin253840d ago

You're brilliant news if true.

HighResHero3839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

There were articles months ago talking about how PS4 would be using proprietary technology, similar to that used in AMD's upcoming GPUs and I think I remember APU technology.
If anyone has an article about the APU aspect, or any new info about it's unique architecture, please post it.
Now that that's covered, my Vita is out for delivery and the mailman should be here any minute. :]

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3839d ago
Lior3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

The steambox can be classed as a console. It has a GTX titan, 780,770,760 which are all more powerful GPUs, EDIT you are contradicting yourself by saying steamboxes arent consoles persay and ps4 with its x86 chip and custom 7870 GPU isnt a pc, steambox has its own OS as well as the ps4 so what is the difference please tell me

TIER1xWOLFPACKx3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

Yes and no it's still a pc and not every steambox will have those parts as they are customisable some steam boxes will be weaker some more powerful. It's not even confirmed yet that valves own steambox will have gtx780,titan etc that was the prototype units. Also the psu for a steambox/machine is 450watt according to most websites and having a titan and an I4770k on that amount of power is just going to cause problems

GamerXD3840d ago

Steam machines, should you say. Steam machines ain't consoles, but PCs. Yes they're almost consoles, but still different.

Rubberlegs3840d ago

@TIER1xWOLFPACKx

That's not going cause any problems. That enough wattage for not overclocking and they probably aren't some cheap low brand psu. These will be packed in small cases too so your not going to have much in them besides the main components and a couple fans.

Rhaigun3839d ago

The fact you can install your own OS and switch out GPUs means it's not a console. Part of being a console is having closed architecture and a firm OS.

ShinMaster3839d ago

Steam Machines have their own OS but it's not a closed OS like the the PS4 or XBO. It can also run Windows OS. It functions like a PC.

It's not a console. It competes with Windows PCs.

MarkusMcNugen3839d ago

@Lior
You are correct. People on here are just trying to find a way to separate the two, but they are both essentially the same thing now. A lot of people are unhappy about the Steambox being able to claim the most powerful console title now.

@TIER1xWOLFPACKx
So a upgradable PS4 or Xbox One wouldnt be a console? Simply because it can be upgraded? Thats a ridiculous statement. If Microsoft or Sony announced tomorrow that a GPU could easily we swapped out for a new one it would cease to be a console? I think not. Power also wont be an issue as Im sure people will not be allowed to overclock the hardware. Im sure it will be in the ToS somewhere. Otherwise a warranty will be voided.

@Rhaigun
So by your account a PS3 was only half a console until they eliminated OtherOS? Because you could install your own OS on a PS3 and it functioned just like a PC. If they would have just released upgradeable GPUs, then it wouldnt have been a console anymore... No, I think not.

@ShinMaster
A console doesnt require a closed OS to be a console. And as I mentioned above to Rhaigun being able to install a third party OS doesnt make it a PC either. Or the PS3 would have been considered a PC. Its a new market. Its a PC designated for entertanment and video games. Its a PC that doubles as a console and competes against the PS4, Xbox One, Wii U, and PCs. It will be very entertaining to see how well it sells and what future holds for Valves hardware.

@Everyone
Frankly, I think everyone is trying to find a classification system that works for their opinions. We all know that a console has always been a specialized PC, and now we are seeing a specialized PC that can double as a regular PC as well. Its a console and a PC rolled into one box.

I guess the old adage was "Consoles are equal to PCs, but PCs are not equal to consoles" but that no longer applies in this case. Seems to me like we either need a new classification system, or we just start calling them all PCs with the difference being a closed ecosystem or open ecosystem.

Rhaigun3839d ago

@MarkusMcNugen
Installing your own OS on the PS3 really served no purpose other than gaining easier access to internal files. Made it easier to hack. Hence the reason Sony discontinued the option. You couldn't run, say MS Office, or anything. Something you can do on a Steambox.

Look, I'm a fan of the Steambox. I wish I could afford to build one. But, I have no grand illusions about what it is. An SFF PC. Is it more similar to consoles than ever before? Yes. But, you're better off calling it a gaming system than a console.

AndrewLB3839d ago

According to the flops it's capable of, the PS4's gpu is much closer to the 7850 performance wise. The hd 7870 puts out 2560 gflops which we all know is a lot more than PS4.

+ Show (5) more repliesLast reply 3839d ago
Magicite3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

I sense PlayStation Domination in soon future.

otherZinc3839d ago

Does this mean:
The Drive Club is going to be both 1080p "native" @ 60fps?
Like Forza 5.

Or
Are any PS4 games going to be 1080p "native" @ 60fps.
If so what are the games. Also, could I have a link stating as such?

cbuc11253839d ago

Resogun=1080p/60
Killzone Multiplayer=1080p/60
Deep Down=1080p/60

A game is 1080p/60 when the developers decide that it fits their design. Anymore questions?

Ezz20133839d ago

Driveclub,Deep down,KillzoneSF,Infamous SS,Resogun etc of ps4 games are NATIVE 1080p

welcome to next gen
hope to see Xbox1 join the next gen club when they start show 1080p games outside of racing game that lack tons of things that last gen game like GT6 have and another 1080p game (driveclub) have as well
so far Forza5 have less cars,no weather effects,no night/day shift

kingduqc3839d ago

1080p was a standart on pc since like 2007 so yeah who cares really

DigitalRaptor3839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

Keep spouting your unsubstantiated nonsense about games not being native 1080p. Repeating it is not going to somehow make it true, it only encourages your delusions. You're just gonna keep getting owned, and it looks like you have already had your ass handed to you so far.

Deep Down is 1080/60.
Resogun is 1080/60.
Killzone is 1080/60 in its multiplayer.
inFamous: Second Son is reported to be pretty much 1080/60 (and that's open-world with immaculate detail and fast paced gameplay).

solidboss073839d ago

You moronic buffoon. Wait till we are past the launch window.

nosferatuzodd3838d ago

dude the only game on xbone that is 1080p is forza stop spewing rubish have you look at deep down or killzone or infamous or resogun they're all 1080p

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3838d ago
otherZinc3839d ago

@Digital Raptor,

No one has owned me, where's the link with SONY or said Dev statingthe PS4 games that do "BOTH" 1080p "native" @ 60fps!

When the smoke clears, Forza 5 will be standing by itself in novemNovember at 1080p "native" @ 60fps.

koolaid2513839d ago

Flops mean nothing,the new Gpu are at like 4 teraflops now.They're way better that Ps4 and xbox 1 combined so what does that say about teraflops?

BallsEye3839d ago

Stop dreaming guys. It was confirmed sony uses sea islands, just like ms with XO...this card is a beast and if it would be in ps4 you would see all of the games run 60 fps 4k res >.>

DonFreezer3839d ago

If I could I would report this to FBI because the double standard is almost killing it. When someone like misterxmedia talks something like that for the Xbox One you all bush him and laugh. And this all seems legit and wonderful for your precious PS4 using as a source a blog post? Are you that delusional? Are you that stupid? Who in the world will the PS4 cost 399 and feature tech from a 499 GPU is a serious question to all of sony sheep.

BlackTar1873839d ago

except MisterX is wrong about everything and changes his facts to fit his story not the story to fit the facts.

Persistantthug3839d ago

Didn't that guy say/imply that the XBONE would have like 2 or 3 Gpus?

Yeah......I'm still laughing at that nonsense.

Brix903839d ago

And that sir is why you have one bubble

assdan3839d ago

I think this means that they secretly put a 290x in! Wow and at the bargain of $400. THAT $300 LESS THAN THE ACTUAL CARD ITSELF!!!!!! (This was sarcasm by the way)

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 3838d ago
JimmyLmao3840d ago

no one can find the Xbox One's secret dGPU because Microsoft hid it in the PS4!

windblowsagain3839d ago

That was Harrison double agent agenda. To hide the extra gpu inside PS4.

Ezz20133839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

Harrison: let's put secret dGPU in Xbox1

Greenberg: tha...that's great idea, i will definitely tell them to start working on it now

Harrison: ok
*go to his office and lock the door*

Greenberg: yeah, i definitely will NOT do that

*then "Kaz" take his mask off and leave with trolling laugh*

pyramidshead3840d ago

PS4 IS the XB1's second dGPU! The master plan on building a united console must have fallen through!

MasterCornholio3840d ago

But how would that work?

Letme guess, you just plug the PS4 into the Xbox One via the HDMI in port and you got your second (more powerful GPU)

Wouldn't it be cheaper to just buy a PS4?

;)

I'm just kidding.

Nexus 7 2013

Ezz20133839d ago (Edited 3839d ago )

lol hehe

3840d ago Replies(4)
forcefullpower3840d ago

8 ACE's Must be really shit if it has that many. I'v been told by Microsoft that they are crap after two. /s

OlgerO3840d ago

Then it could be true since microsoft speaks the truth 8 % of the time

cell9893839d ago

hahahahaha!!!! nice try troll

cell9893839d ago

@KweitStorm yes Im positive Forcefullpower was trolling with such a statement with no documentation to back it

Petro3839d ago

Let me guess, you have no idea what /s represents?

iiwii3838d ago

@cell989

I'm pretty sure it was meant as sarcasm (/s = end of sarcasm)

Ohlmay3840d ago (Edited 3840d ago )

Most likely based off the Volcanic GPU's from AMD.

Show all comments (194)
240°

Is Driver (PS1) Still Worth Playing in 2024?

"Driver was a technical achievement for PS1, a pioneer in cinematic gaming, and an often brutal challenge - TechStomper asks if its brand of 70s car chase antics still holds up."

Read Full Story >>
techstomper.com
PrimeVinister2d ago

The driving holds up, most of everything else does not.

PrimeVinister2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

@Shane Kim

Well, I mean the driving physics hold up. The draw distance, police AI, visuals in general etc do not

Cacabunga2d ago

One of my all time favorites on PS1. I spent a summer vacation playing this was so good

isarai2d ago

Sadly youd be hard pressed to find any driving game with better physics these days. But the draw distance really kills it for me

PrimeVinister2d ago

The physics hold up ridiculously well. And the draw distance is a real hurdle at first.

__y2jb2d ago (Edited 2d ago )

Nonsense. The physics in any modern game or any 360 game is light years beyond Driver.

Dandizzle2d ago

This game is hard, you will fail and quit

PrimeVinister2d ago

But you will get there eventually... maybe

jznrpg2d ago

Stop with is it worth it articles. If you want to play a game play the damn game!

anast2d ago

I loved this game awhile back.

Barlos2d ago

Yeah but is it worth reading pointless articles?

__y2jb2d ago

It wasn’t worth playing in the 90’s.

Espangerish2d ago

My thoughts exactly. I bought it at release for full price and got frustrated and bored with it very quickly.

Show all comments (41)
240°

Is Gran Turismo (PS1) Still Worth Playing in 2024?

Gran Turismo for PlayStation launched a sub-genre and revolutionised console racing - TechStomper asks is it still worth playing in 2024.

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techstomper.com
Terry_B4d ago

Well..you can play it completely offline at least ^^

PrimeVinister4d ago

Something we really miss, just turning on the console and having the game start without signing into stuff

Terry_B4d ago

Fully agreed. That and Splitscreen Modes for Racing games.

PrimeVinister4d ago

@Terry_B I miss having people to splitscreen with, but I can't blame anyone for that :-(

Cacabunga4d ago

Not too late.. we can still change that.

PrimeVinister4d ago

@Cacabunga I will let you in, see ya soon compadre :-P

MrBaskerville3d ago

@Terry_B
GT7 actually has 4 player splitscreen. Which is wild in this day and age.

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
TiredGamer4d ago

Good news is that Sony released a final update to Gran Turismo Sport to allow it to function offline. Expecting the same for GT7 at some point in the future.

PrimeVinister4d ago

That is great news, I really liked Sport even if many others did not :-/

Chocoburger4d ago

I'm not big into sim racing, but I got sucked into the hype for this one from magazines back then. I just played arcade mode and that was enough for me to feel like I got my money's worth.

Yeah, it's definitely worth playing today. GT 2 has a few interesting fan made graphical mods when played on an emulator as well.

PrimeVinister4d ago

The arcade mode is underrated, it's a great alternative mode and you can even unlock GT HiFi with it.

Fonsecap4d ago

Cars back then had much more personality then those we see today. Modern cars all about the led lights and the tablet size screens and they all seem alike, back then they could be simpler in design but had tons more personality.

PrimeVinister4d ago

That is something a few people have pointed out - that cars all look the same now. I have to agree that a lot of new vehicles lack personality.

fsfsxii4d ago

You guys are so anti-fun its depressing, like who tf cares about personality of objects like wtf? Just learn to enjoy stuff as is.

PrimeVinister4d ago

It's hardly anti-fun to remark that some objects look nicer than others.

And everyone has their favourite era of cars, I sincerely doubt many will pick the 2020s a few decades from now.

Fonsecap4d ago

Dude, like wft cares about personality of objects? What about art? Paintings are objects and they're considered good or bad if they show or lack personality so I ask, wtf are you talking about? Cars are also considered pieces of art, vintage cars, classic cars, classic bikes and so on. Artists are appreciated by the objects they craft, blacksmiths, painters, engineers, designers, so wtf cares about personality of objects indeed... ( Sorry for my English, it's not my native language)

MrBaskerville3d ago

Talking about cars is fun if you are a car enthusiast. Just saying.

ApocalypseShadow4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

That Corvette Stingray to this day is one of the most ferocious whips ever driven. Overpowered against other cars yes. But to drive it and be that close to losing control, but being in command around those curves, just can't be duplicated.

HiFi mode is also something I miss. There should be a mode in today's GT where it's Mano o Mano and the detail and resolution jump full throttle. In today's games, Max Ray Tracing and lighting and textures to make it look even more real..

PrimeVinister4d ago

A modern HiFi mode would be really cool! It would be really interesting to see how real they could go by stripping it all way back.

And Stingray is a solid choice 👌

TiredGamer4d ago

HiFi mode in GT1 was only a stripped down 60 fps mode for one track. Should have been called "Performance Mode" or "High Frame Rate" mode.

PrimeVinister4d ago

@TiredGamer it was only three tracks, but it was still cool

Petebloodyonion4d ago

Not according to Former Playstation president Jim Ryan for he told Time that he doesn't see why anyone would play old games given the advancements in fidelity achieved today.

https://time.com/4804768/pl...

PrimeVinister4d ago

I don't agree with him, but he had a few good points.

Show all comments (33)
170°

PlayStation 1 Classics Forgotten for One Reason or Another

The original PlayStation library has dozens of classics long since forgotten - TechStomper unearths five of these gems which have been lost to time for one reason or another.

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techstomper.com
BlackCountryBob8d ago

Disruptor PS1, a pre Goldeneye console FPS from 1996 (with Command and Conquer type FMV cutscenes) and the first game by a pre Spyro Insomniac Studios directed by Mark Cerny. A good game for its time, and pre Bioshock use of telekinesis type powers. A game sadly almost completely lost to time

PrimeVinister8d ago

I have never even heard of it, so that must be a deep cut. Sounds really interesting and I might dig it out :-)

PrimeVinister8d ago

@Cacabunga A classic, no doubt. But, fondly remembered by many.

Cacabunga8d ago

First one was so good but second one on another level!!!
Still hoping to see a next gen version..

PrimeVinister8d ago

@Cacabunga Yeah, I preferred II for the real-timier combat. I would love to see both remade or remastered.

on_line_forever8d ago

We need to bring back the golden era of ps1 & ps2 .
We need to see quality games developed with alot of passion to make gamers satisfied .
We need to benefit from new AI technology to bring something new to games something like " nemesis systems " that used in shadow of morder and upgrade it to next level

PrimeVinister7d ago

The economics of games has changed a lot since the PS1 and PS2. As much as I would love a return to those days, it's not not at all likely.