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[Nirolak]

IGN did some more digging with sources today and posted some more hardware power rumors.

They did benchmarks with the system afterwards, but they're kind of non-sensical since the games aren't designed for them and these aren't exact parts.

Earlier this month, we published a report about Nintendo's next console (otherwise known as Wii 2 or Project Cafe) including details regarding the design as well as specific hardware specs. Based on the information we received and with help from our sources, we found retail PC components comparable to the ones Nintendo is expected to use in their new system and built a mock console of our own.

Building the System

IGN's sources originally informed us that Nintendo would be calling upon a custom triple core CPU, similar to what is being used in the Xbox 360, for their next system, as well as a graphics processor built upon AMD's R700 architecture. We called upon our trusted sources to help us determine the retail products with the closest possible clock speed and power, as well as fill in some of the blanks for other components, like finding a suitable motherboard and appropriate amount of RAM.

*I'm removing the list because the general statements from developers make far more sense to go off of.*

Though the parts we used are comparable, our sources say there will be some significant variation in the final product. For one, the CPU is likely to be clocked above 3.2GHz and the GPU will feature a tweaked design but a similar speed to the HD 4850 we used. Most importantly, the Wii 2/Project Caf�'s total RAM is likely to be 1GB, but we added an extra GB to offset the Windows 7 OS, which is pretty taxing otherwise.

Finally, we assembled the system in a MyOpenPC DOMA Pro acrylic case so we could clearly display the components.

In total, our system cost $423.93, which, of course, accounts for retail markup. In the case of Nintendo, hardware and production costs will be drastically lower given the high volume at which the components will be produced, though the final retail price could be upwards of $300.

Source: http://gear.ign.com/articles/116/1168222p1.html

The 4850 is actually a fairly significant R700 card, which speaks well to the system's power level.

I would consider this a notable sign pointing to IGN's "significantly more powerful" rumor than Game Informer's "barely more powerful" rumor.

Since people seem to want more explanation:

How does this compare to 360/PS3 specs?

Very favorably.

The RAM bottleneck and what tweaks they are making are important for making a final call though.

As an example however, The Witcher 2 uses that graphics card as its "Recommended" card, which is generally what you use for full settings sans stuff like high amounts of AA.

If someone wants to do a very extensive tech comparison between the base hardware and what's in the 360 and PS3, I'll edit that in here too, with a note that the Cafe's will be modified.

 

[AceBandage]

I still want to know where the hell they were buying a 4850 that costs $200...

 

[Chiggs]

I hope Nintendo surprises us all with the power of the machine.

I don't mind paying $399.99 or more for a system with some legs.

 

[DR3AM]

that video was cool.

 

[TekkenMaster]

Looks like Cafe will be well set to compete graphically with PS4/720, even if they both release in 2014.

 

[canadian crowe]

edit: Beaten by the post above mine!

 

[Master Milk]

Oh, this is a good sign?

Yay.

 

[Jeels]

Can anyone translate this information into something people who know nothing about this type of stuff would understand?

 

[bgassassin]

Repeating what I just posted in the other thread, I'm not bothered by what IGN did. Obviously we know that method is not conducive to an actual console environment, but that level of tech in a console will be very nice.

 

[RaijinFY]

What do they mean when they are talking about speed? Processing power and frequency?

 

[AceBandage]

How does this compare to 360/PS3 specs?

5x360s duct taped together.

 

[Nirolak]

How does this compare to 360/PS3 specs?

Very favorably.

The RAM bottleneck and what tweaks they are making are important for making a final call though.

As an example however, The Witcher 2 uses that graphics card as its "Recommended" card, which is generally what you use for full settings sans stuff like high amounts of AA.

 

[Krowley]

5x360s duct taped together.

How many ps3s? or is it even possible to make that analogy with the Cell and whatnot?

 

[Lonely1]

Can anyone translate this information into something people who know nothing about this type of stuff would understand?

Considerably more powerful than the 360/Ps3. There.

 

[onken]

Mmm sounds plausible.

 

[Neuromancer]

More power

Ugh ugh ugh

 

[Zeal]

this sounds more impressive than i thought.

 

[Sanjay]

The comparisons of the console vs "Wii 2" PC pictures is dumb as fuck.

 

[TekkenMaster]

If Nintendo screws up anything with Cafe, it will be giving it only 512 MB of RAM.

Please Nintendo, don't be that dumb.

 

[bgassassin]

How many ps3s? or is it even possible to make that analogy with the Cell and whatnot?

Cafe = Gohan SSJ2

 

[antonz]

The comparisons of the console vs "Wii 2" PC pictures is dumb as fuck.

It is but to the people they are making that video/pics for its informative. In the closed enviroment of the console the difference would be even more staggering but for the simple folks the demo showed there is a difference.

 

[Vic]

Cafe = Gohan SSJ2

Oh shit

 

[AceBandage]

Cafe = Gohan SSJ2

Will Nintendo's Spirit Bomb be able to stop the evil Sony?

Next Episode: The Spirit Bomb Fails!

 

[entremet]

It's running a W7 derivative?

 

[BuggyDClown]

Mmmmmmm.

I wanna See Galaxy HD and Prime HD. Oh Zelda HD. Trauma team HD. Uhhhh..

So many many more HD.

Smash Bros HD.

OH!!!!

Donkey Kong Country Returns 2 HD!

 

[canadian crowe]

I would really jump on board if this turns out as powerful as next gen Sony/Microsoft machines.

I'm a one console guy, and the Gamecube was perfect for me. You got decent third party games and great Nintendo games.

Just give us a normal controller this time and Nintendo might have another winner on it's hands.

 

[shadyspace]

Cafe = Gohan SSJ2

There will never be a more powerful console.

 

[Tricky I Shadow]

Interesting! If it’s a good solid step up graphically from the 360/PS3 like this rumour suggests, and the controller is more on the traditional side....Nintendo might just get my money.

 

[apana]

How does it compare to the Nvidia Geforce GT 540M in my laptop?

 

[Vic]

There will never be a more powerful console.

The CPU is clearly going to be more powerful than the PS3's Cell.

 

[Krowley]

It is but to the people they are making that video/pics for its informative. In the closed enviroment of the console the difference would be even more staggering but for the simple folks the demo showed there is a difference.

But the video is probably pretty analogous to what we'll be getting from 3rd parties right? I'm assuming they're probably just gonna port their stuff over without maxing it out for the new hardware..

Nintendo games, and any exclusives they finance on the other hand, would probably push things a little further I'm assuming.

 

[AceBandage]

How does it compare to the Nvidia Geforce GT 540M in my laptop?

Bwhahahahahahahahaha!

No but if you're serious, that thing is barely a GPU.

But the video is probably pretty analogous to what we'll be getting from 3rd parties right? I'm assuming they're probably just gonna port their stuff over without maxing it out for the new hardware..

Nintendo games, and any exclusives they finance on the other hand, would probably push things a little further I'm assuming.

It'll be more than a little further, but yeah, third parties will continue to fail.

 

[Chiggs]

How does it compare to the Nvidia Geforce GT 540M in my laptop?

It really destroys that chip.

 

[Shalashaska161]

Seems reasonable enough. The biggest problem I see with it is the RAM, as 1GB is barely anything these days. Hopefully the real number is somewhere around 2GB+.

 

[Oni Link 666]

This is kind of silly. That PC would probably perform quite a bit worse than a console with similar components. I guess that's a good sign if their specs are close to the real ones.

 

[legacyzero]

If Nintendo screws up anything with Cafe, it will be giving it only 512 MB of RAM.

Please Nintendo, don't be that dumb.

That's my worry.

That's a good way to fuck up a console real fast.

 

[TekkenMaster]

I hope Retro has something other than Donkey Kong Country Returns 2 to show at E3.

Metroid HD, Zelda HD, Starfox HD, F-Zero HD, Original IP HD....just please show something that can truly show off the power of the Wii 2.

 

[BY2K]

24 days...

24 days freaking days!

 

[NBtoaster]

Bwhahahahahahahahaha!

No but if you're serious, that thing is barely a GPU.

Erm..the 540m is quite a bit better than what's in the PS3 and 360. Not as good as a 4850 but it's still fairly capable.

 

[Vic]

24 days...

24 days freaking days!

HNNGGGGG

 

[AceBandage]

Seems reasonable enough. The biggest problem I see with it is the RAM, as 1GB is barely anything these days. Hopefully the real number is somewhere around 2GB+.

2GB would really be the max they would need, with 1GB being fine for the most part.
This isn't like cheap PC RAM.

Erm..the 540m is quite a bit better than what's in the PS3 and 360. Not as good as a 4850 but it's still fairly capable.

Eh, sorry, I've just had too many problems with laptop GPUs over the years. More trouble than they're worth.

 

[timetokill]

I hope Retro has something other than Donkey Kong Country Returns 2 to show at E3.

Metroid HD, Zelda HD, Starfox HD, F-Zero HD, Original IP HD....just please show something that can truly show off the power of the Wii 2.

They are not going to show HD Zelda when Skyward Sword isn't even out yet.

 

[Van Owen]

I think I bought my 4850 like 3 years ago...

 

[TekkenMaster]

It'll be more than a little further, but yeah, third parties will continue to fail.

I dunno, don't third parties still maximize their games for PC? They could do the same for Cafe...maybe co-develop the PC/Cafe versions.

 

[antonz]

If the specs are accurate you could basically play something like the Witcher 2 maxed out in 1080P likely on Cafe.

Considering this is a Nintendo console we are talking about that is pretty fantastic.

 

[Sammy Samusu]

5x360s duct taped together.

So it's like an oven?

 

[AceBandage]

So it's like an oven?

Closer to a jet engine right before takeoff.

 

[TekkenMaster]

They are not going to show HD Zelda when Skyward Sword isn't even out yet.

Maybe Nintendo handed Skyward Sword over to Retro to update its graphics to HD.

::hopes::

 

[legacyzero]

I hope Retro has something other than Donkey Kong Country Returns 2 to show at E3.

Metroid HD, Zelda HD, Starfox HD, F-Zero HD, Original IP HD....just please show something that can truly show off the power of the Wii 2.

I would except nothing less than a new Metroid series. I had ZERO faith in Retro turning my beloved 2D Metroid into an FPS.........Until I played it.

A true NEXT GEN Metroid would make me squeal.

 

[bgassassin]

Seems reasonable enough. The biggest problem I see with it is the RAM, as 1GB is barely anything these days. Hopefully the real number is somewhere around 2GB+.

Not necessarily if you think console and not PC. Like Ace and others have said 1.5-2GB would future proof the console. And like Jin said in the other thread the type of memory is also key as Nintendo has used faster type of RAM in both the GC and Wii.