We have a feeling that when the next generation of consoles are finally announced, the internet will explode. In yet another rumor concerning the Xbox 720/Next Xbox, it appears that the main chip for the system is being codenamed “Oban”.
Being reported by Fuzil, the rumor stats that Microsoft has commissioned IBM and Global Foundries to work together to design the system’s processor. Below, we’ve included a few details from the report:
If speculation is correct, which our sources believe it is, the power behind the next Xbox will be a PowerPC CPU that is married to an ATI Southern Islands GPU, or modified 7000 series. Continued rumors of an x86 compatible CPU seem to be bunk, just based on where the chip is being fab’d.
This first run of these 32nm Oban chips will be destined for developer consoles, so any hope for a holiday console release in 2012 seems unrealistic, according to our sources, but an announcement perhaps before the end of the year might be possible. It would seem Microsoft’s strategy of getting it in 2013 is all but assured. We do think that the chips will be in production by the end of the year for consoles destined to be sold in 2013, which seems to agree with what others are saying.
What do you think about the speculation of the next processor chip for the Xbox 720/Next Xbox? Are you looking forward to the next generation of consoles? Be sure to let us know what you think by leaving us a comment below, or discuss the Xbox 720 in our forums!
[Thanks VG247!]