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?

[M-M]

"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.

[thereapersson]

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

"Can saturate PCIe 3.0 x16 bus bandwidth"

[mewhy32]

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.

[DomceM]

not as good as highest end steambox. sorry.

[XB1_PS4]

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

[Benjammin25]

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

[nunley33]

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

[Eonjay]

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...

[gaffyh]

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.

[darthv72]

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

[P0werVR]

...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!

[osprey19]

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

[DigitallyAfflicted]

Yeah baby bring it on sumo power :)

[dantesparda]

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)

[saber00005]

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

[Eonjay]

@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 Killer]

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.

[dantesparda]

@Eonjay

Thanks, i hope you're right

[thereapersson]

@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.

[FATAL1TY]

True Next Gen
http://d15uu3l1sro2ln.cloud...
http://s.pro-gmedia.com/vid...

Old gen
http://www.gadgetreview.com...
http://www.pcgames.de/scree...

PS4 forever

[juggulator]

@dantesparda

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

[Linwelin]

@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.

[sobekflakmonkey]

@FATAL1TY

no my friend...this is next gen.(The Order 1886)
http://i.imgur.com/rrxePWX....
http://i.imgur.com/hSBpGI3....

[MarkusMcNugen]

@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.

[Eonjay]

@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.

[UltimateMaster]

I hope it holds true.

[AndrewLB]

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

[Mombasa69]

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

[pyramidshead]

This is brilliant news if true :).

[LostDjinn]

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

[G20WLY]

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*

[Benjammin25]

You're brilliant news if true.

[HighResHero]

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. :]

[Lior]

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

[TIER1xWOLFPACKx]

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

[GamerXD]

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

[Rubberlegs]

@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.

[Rhaigun]

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.

[ShinMaster]

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.

[MarkusMcNugen]

@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.

[Rhaigun]

@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.

[AndrewLB]

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.

[Magicite]

I sense PlayStation Domination in soon future.

[otherZinc]

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?

[cbuc1125]

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?

[Ezz2013]

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

[kingduqc]

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

[DigitalRaptor]

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).

[solidboss07]

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

[nosferatuzodd]

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

[nosferatuzodd]

indeed

[otherZinc]

@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.

[koolaid251]

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?

[BallsEye]

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 >.>

[DonFreezer]

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.

[BlackTar187]

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

[Persistantthug]

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

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

[Brix90]

And that sir is why you have one bubble

[assdan]

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)

[JimmyLmao]

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

[waltyftm]

Very funny indeed.

[windblowsagain]

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

[Ezz2013]

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*

[pyramidshead]

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

[MasterCornholio]

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

[Ezz2013]

lol hehe

[reko]

@jimmy

ohhhhhhh snap!!

[DEEBO]

ha now that's funny!

[forcefullpower]

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

[OlgerO]

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