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[Toadthemushroom]

That's a proprietary design. Nobody except Nvidia is even close to Apple's ARM offerings, and Nvidia has no interest in designing SoC's for a company like Nintendo--they hate the thin profit margins that come with game consoles.

You're quite right, I was naive to suggest that. Admittedly the problem they have with ARM (off the shelf parts not being a great fit) is also the problem they face with x86, since it also leaves Nintendo dependent on mostly off the shelf semi-custom designs from AMD, and AMD is the only supplier Nintendo can realistically use anyway. And the timing isn't great as Zen won't be ready which leaves Nintendo with few options.

I think we'll see a Nintendo-designed ARM SoC in the next handheld at the very least, maybe with a licensed GPU design like 3DS (probably a design from AMD for parity with NX console).

 

[AmyS]

So backwards compatibility is there? That's nice at least.

Almost certainly not.

With PowerPC architecture gone, so is backwards compatibility with Wii U and Wii (Nintendo using PowerPC goes all the way back to GameCube).

 

[nikatapi]

PS4-like specs is probably more than what i expected, so that would be nice especially if the price is competitive. We still need to see what is the concept behind NX, specs is not the only thing that matters.

 

[neurosisxeno]

And the timing isn't great as Zen won't be ready which leaves Nintendo with few options.

"Merlin Falcon" SoC. 4 Excavator Cores clocked around 2.0GHz should use ~20-30W of power which leaves them plenty of room for a decent GPU thrown in the mix giving them a Quad-Core that's ~2x as powerful as the Octo-Core in the PS4 with ~7850 (using the same GPU as PS4). They could even create a custom version that doesn't use Turbo Boost, but rather runs constantly around 2.4-2.6GHz and probably still stomps the crap oughta the Jaguar Core solution in the XB1/PS4.

 

[FantasticMrSnake]

So backwards compatibility is there? That's nice at least.

Where did you get that from?
The "article" talks about current gen "x86" games

 

[Peru]

If the jump in power would be significant I'll actually get worried, lol. Because I still cling to the concept of a largely shared handheld/console software lineup. That seems like a more important step to me than any power boost, 3rd party deals, whatever else.

 

[frankie_baby]

That's a proprietary design. Nobody except Nvidia is even close to Apple's ARM offerings, and Nvidia has no interest in designing SoC's for a company like Nintendo--they hate the thin profit margins that come with game consoles.

So nvidia didn't try to develop the SoC for the 3ds then?

 

[AzaK]

It's not fun to talk and I leaked details on the cpu twice, cube/wii. People don't want to listen to truth and worse yet harp on useless points that don't help nintendo historically.

1. Nintendo needs a real unified sdk, period, If they can't do what Sony/MS is doing in terms of an easy to work arechitecture with and good tools they really can get the hell out of the industry. Not being nice anymore grow up or get the hell out at this point. Even AMD has contributed to this discussion if we are talk about api or sdks.

2. A respectable online store and online platform, if it's still behind PSN,XBL or Steam it's fucking joke and everyone involved with the process should be fired. The company is just leaving money on the table and keep consumers away who have unaminously agreed on how online gaming and stores should be. If the UI or features suck again people should be fired and if the CEO is in the way again the dicussion of this company is to put someone at helm who can needs to happen.

3. The power should be there. There is no cost argument to them not having anything respectable when it comes to ram, cpu or gpu power. It is almost 3 years out from launch of X1/PS4.and the power gap between them and even mid range pc can't be anymore clear, especially with certain DX12 game showing the API and ones like it are the future in heavy intense scenes or adding more complexity. Yet so far I'm saying this and I've asked my same source as I've done for 3 gens now, it's barely enough they can do more. I say this having OC'ed various amd and intel cpus getting them at less than 180$ a few years back, both my 3570 and 8350 are now becoming sluggish. Putting in a cheap ass cpu does no good and if the company hope to do any BC right this is a requirement as well. Other devs can't say it so I fucking will go home nintendo. It's servicable at best and I know it for a fact this system is another good mid range pc if we had to compare to something not even a high end mid range pc. If this thing cost more than 350$ it joke but it's nintendo so I know 400$ price tag will have certain people eating it up. Problem is this is what the damn WiiU should've been all along. Don't worry only a few more weeks before the truth is out but I'm shitting on nintendo now, not when they want to control this.

They aren't there on any of my points I'd rather use uplay than any nintendo online platform. EA is origin is miles better as steamshits on origin to me. Get someone who knows what they are doing on tech and good software aspects for non related game aspects this company is garbage and needs fresh blood with some skill and vision.

Wow. Just found this. Some hard words there LCGeek but none of it surprises me when it comes to Nintendo. However I've said many times that it wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo wants to keep forgetting about Western devs. So long as they can make their own things, get some good Japanese partnerships and sell to the mainstream then they can be profitable and happy.

 

[neurosisxeno]

So nvidia didn't try to develop the SoC for the 3ds then?

They may have, before they came up with the idea for Shield. But that kinda fit within their business plan. The only way Nvidia builds a Custom SoC for another company is to advance their own brands--hence why they do stuff like G-Sync, Shadowplay, Car SoC's, etc. If the Shield didn't exist they could have partnered with Nintendo and made a system like the Shield without having to invest nearly as much. Nvidia has been toying with ARM since it made its resurgence, and their Tegra line is very versatile at this point.

 

[Exodust]

Tell us more...

Nintendo's behind it

 

[Herb Alpert]

That's where I'm confused, I'm getting both good and bad vibes from all the info. I suppose it would help if I was more of a tech head. :/

Don't get me wrong, I would be more than happy with PS4 level Nintendo machine. Some people still find this possibility to be too low but this would make absolutely no sense for Nintendo to push for a uber powerful machine.
The great news if true is that they are not on the low power route.

For me, it means that their games will probably be 1080p 60 FPS and will get some proper AA.
Third parties (IF they come) will always complain and ask for more power.

edit : About the post above, well you got me, I didn't expect such an deep analysis. I guess you are right and we should expect a machine around NES level.

 

[Nibel]

LCGeek's post would be so much more interesting (and understandable) if he wouldn't have let his 12 year old cousin write it

 

[Kissenkopf]

LCGeek's post would be so much more interesting (and understandable) if he wouldn't have let his 12 year old cousin write it

Lol, I was thinking the same. I would take it way more serious if it wouldn't sound like a post from NinjaBlade.

 

[Bots are better than you]

Guys, think of us working Europeans, you can't blow up the thread by more than 10 pages over night, give us a chance to catch up!

So, at least the CPU could/should be more powerful than the other consoles, at least the vanilla ones?
Might be a case of lowered expectations ... but i'm ok with this. Hoping that the GPU falls into the same ballpark, and the system is rocking an affordable price, that sure sounds ok to me.

If they go for more frequent hardware updates, as the patents might hint of, they have to keep the price as low as possible. If we're talking about a $400 hardware that gets an update in 3-4 years, like PS4, for the same price or more, also like PS4, then i'll be pissed beyond belief!

The console makers trying to push away the console-typical life-spans is (imo) bad enough, but tyring that while keeping up the usual hardware prices is just the worst.

E: Oh, forgot, thanks LCGeek for the insights, much appreciated. Let's hope the things stay as you stated, if not, let's hope they at least go with more powerful stuff then.

Nintendo's behind it

Like they were with Gamecube, N64, SNES?

 

[Boy Wander]

LCGeek's post would be so much more interesting (and understandable) if he wouldn't have let his 12 year old cousin write it

Perhaps English isn't his first language.

 

[Mpl90]

Wow. Just found this. Some hard words there LCGeek but none of it surprises me when it comes to Nintendo. However I've said many times that it wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo wants to keep forgetting about Western devs. So long as they can make their own things, get some good Japanese partnerships and sell to the mainstream then they can be profitable and happy.

Trying to read other LCGeek's posts is too hard, I suppose?

 

[Always-honest]

It's not so incredibly good though...

It is for a Nintendo console.
We're not getting an ultra pc for 350$.

But maybe they could do slightly better for a reasonable price

 

[Kissenkopf]

Perhaps English isn't his first language.

Thats not the problem. He sounds like a furious fanboy. If he never had released some nice infos a few years back, everyone would ignore his rage post. Not many infos and just simply shitting on Nintendo because the didn't build the most powerful machine in the world and only ask for 200 dollar for it.
He should just calm down...we are just talking about a game console here. Lol.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Nintendo doesn't need the most "powerful" console. It just needs to be in the mix with its competitors to get third party games and easy to develop.

Like what else do you need?

 

[Herb Alpert]

Lol, I was thinking the same. I would take it way more serious if it wouldn't sound like a post from NinjaBlade.

Now that's harsh.

 

[Exodust]

Like they were with Gamecube, N64, SNES?

Yes

 

[Asd202]

Nintendo doesn't need the most "powerful" console. It just needs to be in the mix with its competitors to get third party games and easy to develop.

Like what else do you need?

Sales.

 

[Hermii]

So it's confirmed fake, then.

Current gen cpus are low end, so not really.

 

[maxcriden]

If this is yet another fake, at least they're coming faster and furiouser now, which I think makes an official reveal or announcement likelier to come sooner rather than later, so as to dispel the misinformation.

Have LCGeek or the main leak been proven false? I presumed LCGeek knew what he was talking about.

 

[Bots are better than you]

I still think that first of all, they need the tools up and working, and of course enough power to be in the ballpark of the others. That should at least lead to more games of the annual IPs from the thirds.

Yes

And what parts of those were exactly underpowered compared to the other consoles in their respective gens?

Hint: Cartridges vs CD, or Mini-Discs vs DVD is not a thing that determines the processing power of a console.

 

[hemo memo]

Lol, I was thinking the same. I would take it way more serious if it wouldn't sound like a post from NinjaBlade.

Maybe it's a cover like the crazy buttocks.

 

[Aostia]

It's not fun to talk and I leaked details on the cpu twice, cube/wii. People don't want to listen to truth and worse yet harp on useless points that don't help nintendo historically.

1. Nintendo needs a real unified sdk, period, If they can't do what Sony/MS is doing in terms of an easy to work arechitecture with and good tools they really can get the hell out of the industry. Not being nice anymore grow up or get the hell out at this point. Even AMD has contributed to this discussion if we are talk about api or sdks.

2. A respectable online store and online platform, if it's still behind PSN,XBL or Steam it's fucking joke and everyone involved with the process should be fired. The company is just leaving money on the table and keep consumers away who have unaminously agreed on how online gaming and stores should be. If the UI or features suck again people should be fired and if the CEO is in the way again the dicussion of this company is to put someone at helm who can needs to happen.

3. The power should be there. There is no cost argument to them not having anything respectable when it comes to ram, cpu or gpu power. It is almost 3 years out from launch of X1/PS4.and the power gap between them and even mid range pc can't be anymore clear, especially with certain DX12 game showing the API and ones like it are the future in heavy intense scenes or adding more complexity. Yet so far I'm saying this and I've asked my same source as I've done for 3 gens now, it's barely enough they can do more. I say this having OC'ed various amd and intel cpus getting them at less than 180$ a few years back, both my 3570 and 8350 are now becoming sluggish. Putting in a cheap ass cpu does no good and if the company hope to do any BC right this is a requirement as well. Other devs can't say it so I fucking will go home nintendo. It's servicable at best and I know it for a fact this system is another good mid range pc if we had to compare to something not even a high end mid range pc. If this thing cost more than 350$ it joke but it's nintendo so I know 400$ price tag will have certain people eating it up. Problem is this is what the damn WiiU should've been all along. Don't worry only a few more weeks before the truth is out but I'm shitting on nintendo now, not when they want to control this.

They aren't there on any of my points I'd rather use uplay than any nintendo online platform. EA is origin is miles better as steamshits on origin to me. Get someone who knows what they are doing on tech and good software aspects for non related game aspects this company is garbage and needs fresh blood with some skill and vision.

Ok, so..why don't we have a topic about this?
everything seems reliable due to past experiences with the user and I think it's more credible to see Nintendo being SO behind it in terms of OS, online functions, raw power and western devs support than the opposite

 

[Mpl90]

Ok, so..why don't we have a topic about this?
everything seems reliable due to past experiences with the user and I think it's more credible to see Nintendo being SO behind it in terms of OS, online functions, raw power and western devs support than the opposite

Why is people ignoring his other posts, just picking the ones where he paints something negative, his first one here, before his explanations?

 

[Exodust]

And what parts of those were exactly underpowered compared to the other consoles in their respective gens?

Hint: Cartridges vs CD, or Mini-Discs vs DVD is not a thing that determines the processing power of a console.

You're bringing up generations we're far removed from at this point. Both the Wii and Wii U were underpowered compared to the competition(in more ways than one, not just hardware power). Are we really going to act willfully ignorant to the fact that Nintendo probably will go underpowered for lower costs again?

Thanks for the very patronizing hint, btw.

 

[JoeM86]

I thought the last three generations of Nintendo consoles (GameCube, Wii, Wii U) all used PPC. Unless Nintendo was cribbing notes from Microsoft's Xbox One BC initiative, I'd call that unlikely.

Iwata said the plan was for the NX to "absorb" the Wii U architecture.

 

[Hermii]

Iwata said the plan was for the NX to "absorb" the Wii U architecture.

1. That can be interpreted in many ways.
2. Its a long time since he said that.

 

[maxcriden]

LCgeek's info is reassuring in the sense Nintendo is not lowballing as badly as people feared. If you expected a Generational leap over the PS4/XBO then yeah its probably not great but they are not repeating the Wii U all over again. Wii U CPU may be similar to PS3/360 but it has plenty of issues in its design that create a ton of problems. A NX CPU that is actually better than PS4/XBO is actually a pretty positive thing in the world of Nintendo. Now we just need to see a GPU that matches that mentality.

This is my take also. I expected across the board for NX to be less powerful than PS4, so any parity with current gen is welcome. I'll repeat what I said earlier: I don't believe that the majority of gamers can tell a significant difference between current graphics and a high-end PC and/or they'd be pleased enough with current gen graphics. But I also still feel there is little mileage in going beyond this level of power with the difficulty Nintendo will already have winning back the core, and their difficulties launching a system at a higher price, especially keeping in mind the factor of current gen PS/X being as relatively low-priced as they are.

 

[JoeM86]

1. That can be interpreted in many ways.
2. Its a long time since he said that.

1. It can be, yeah.
2. So? With that logic we can just disregard anything that's over a month old.

 

[maxcriden]

It's weird that we've got believable word on NX horsepower and launch games (ports) and zeeeero idea about form factor.

Which games do you mean? Zelda and that one Smash rumor? Not that it couldn't be legit. Just wondering if you're thinking of anything else.

Absolutely, but it's high time for a 3DS replacement.

I agree, but I don't expect it to hit this year necessarily with Pokémon releasing. I'm assuming Spring 2017 is likelier at this point.

LCgeek's info is reassuring in the sense Nintendo is not lowballing as badly as people feared. If you expected a Generational leap over the PS4/XBO then yeah its probably not great but they are not repeating the Wii U all over again. Wii U CPU may be similar to PS3/360 but it has plenty of issues in its design that create a ton of problems. A NX CPU that is actually better than PS4/XBO is actually a pretty positive thing in the world of Nintendo. Now we just need to see a GPU that matches that mentality.

This is my take also. I expected across the board for NX to be less powerful than PS4, so any parity with current gen is welcome. I'll repeat what I said earlier: I don't believe that the majority of gamers can tell a significant difference between current graphics and a high-end PC and/or they'd be pleased enough with current gen graphics. But I also still feel there is little mileage in going beyond this level of power with the difficulty Nintendo will already have winning back the core, and their difficulties launching a system at a higher price, especially keeping in mind the factor of current gen PS/X being as relatively low-priced as they are.

 

[GhostTrick]

Iwata said the plan was for the NX to "absorb" the Wii U architecture.

The good thing with how slow, old and well documented Gekko/Broadway/Espresso are, it should be an easy task.

 

[AzaK]

Trying to read other LCGeek's posts is too hard, I suppose?

Got some links? I'm way behind in this thread and can't read everything. The one I quoted was the one someone else linked.

 

[maxcriden]

So it's confirmed fake, then.

What are you reading that's making you think this? I don't see any inherent contradictions between LCG's posts and the Reddit leak in the OP. Are there some and I just missed them?

I meant that the SDK's aren't very good. That's what I got from LCGeek's posts. *shrugs*

Perhaps I missed this, but where did LCG's posts indicate that?

 

[Bots are better than you]

You're bringing up generations we're far removed from at this point. Both the Wii and Wii U were underpowered compared to the competition(in more ways than one, not just hardware power). Are we really going to act willfully ignorant to the fact that Nintendo probably will go underpowered for lower costs again?

Thanks for the very patronizing hint, btw.

We're going to do exactly that, the same way, as you do with your just as willfully ignorant bias that Nintendo cheaps out because of Nintendo and because of Wii and Wii U, ignoring that Nintendo ironically had more console gens with "up to date" hardware, than with weak and old hardware.

Things to consider, PS4/XOne were never really top notch hardware, even before launch. This not really top notch hardware does get cheaper by time, and with PS4K you can bet Sony is aiming for that magic $250,- price point for the PS4 vanilla, and i doubt that they're going to take a loss with the hardware again.
Therefore, a system with a hardware level around the current gen machines with an affordable price is neither impossible nor unrealistic.

Then, we have a user that basically says that, at least, the CPU is better than the one in the other vanilla consoles, and this user has track records. Yes, things can change between dev kit hardware/early specifications, but those can go both ways.

And for the hint, np, i thought you might need it.

 

[maxcriden]

It is for a Nintendo console.
We're not getting an ultra pc for 350$.

But maybe they could do slightly better for a reasonable price

You know how it would likely go with Nintendo, though. The above $350 higher price doesn't indicate a more powerful console when it comes how to how Nintendo is perceived. I'm concerned of how price point alone could significantly backfire if that high. Look at 3DS and Wii U. And also, the success of Wii and DS.

 

[Jackano]

Are we really going to act willfully ignorant to the fact that Nintendo probably will go underpowered for lower costs again?

The biggest problem with Nintendo is that they don't "go underpowered" because they havn't even achieved low cost with 3DS/Wii U, the first one out of over-confidence and an expensive 3D screen, the second one with an expensive gamepad weighting too much in the SKU, and, more than anything else, by shooting themselves in the foot with their low-power consumption fetish.

 

[diaspora]

You know how it would likely go with Nintendo, though. The above $350 higher price doesn't indicate a more powerful console when it comes how to how Nintendo is perceived. I'm concerned of how price point alone could significantly backfire if that high. Look at 3DS and Wii U. And also, the success of Wii and DS.

They should tell people that now they're playing with power.

 

[maxcriden]

Maybe it's a cover like the crazy buttocks.

I can see why you might think this, but when LCG is linking to posts he made under a different name in 2006, it doesn't make me think he's trying to keep his identity at cboat levels of anonymity.

 

[Hermii]

1. It can be, yeah.
2. So? With that logic we can just disregard anything that's over a month old.

Im nor saying we should disregard it, but I think its unlikely he meant cpu instruction set when he was talking about "architecture" to investors. And I do think something that was said 2 years ago is less valid than something that was said a month ago.

 

[diaspora]

Ok, so..why don't we have a topic about this?
everything seems reliable due to past experiences with the user and I think it's more credible to see Nintendo being SO behind it in terms of OS, online functions, raw power and western devs support than the opposite

Because what you're saying isn't true and it's not what they said. Go look at their past history, they're claiming that the NX has a supposedly better CPU than what the PS4 or XB1 has.

 

[Dark Cloud]

Sales.

It won't happen with a powerful console coming with a high price tag.

 

[maxcriden]

It won't happen with a powerful console coming with a high price tag.

I completely agree, DC. I don't think Nintendo is or in a long time has been in a position to sell consoles or handhelds at a high price, however powerful. And heck, we know even Sony and Microsoft can only to a certain degree get a higher price successfully. Look at what happened with PS3 and XB1.

 

[LCGeek]

Ok, so..why don't we have a topic about this?
everything seems reliable due to past experiences with the user and I think it's more credible to see Nintendo being SO behind it in terms of OS, online functions, raw power and western devs support than the opposite

Cause most of gaf and net who understand speculation or theory would like more proof. One detail doesn't make up for what I had last time or what others in better positions than me would have. Look how off people were the last 2 gens. This reddit rumor is legit but not context which is why I put up that red flag in a topic that basically is skyrocketing much quicker than other nintendo pre launch spec wars.

So I mentioned one detail I knew and that's why I'm skeptical. Nintendo either upgraded from what I was told or there's some bs'ing. Don't think I'm inherently hyping it I'm saying no way a lowball spec can do the rumored performance. There's also the problem of bottlenecking. I don't know how supposed people didn't catch this. You need a good cpu to feed 7870/7950 that would have to do grunt work with little performance issues, and then you would need polaris or higher gcn tech to do the job. Hypothetically what people are saying from my perspective is with a shit cpu that nintendo is gonna put in a GPU as good as that to somehow makeup for the shit cpu that is needed to get ports working if they move on from BC in the manner said rumors describe. People in to emulation know why there are holes in certain rumors. Nintendo, could easily make performance in other places and get there. AMD chips fx4300 is a decent minimum too if we are talking smooth ports or ones devs want to spend time on. I don't buy this rumor knowing that piece of info. Cpu has to be good somewhere in that range and its not unreasonable outside of what people mention which is form. Nintendo usually is more impressive in this area than we give them credit so we can wait and see as usual. Low level apis have proved themselves so the real issue to me are tools that make the difference between a tomb raider patch and ashes of singluarity showing an i3 can keep up a processor a couple hundred more bucks more than it. We are in magical time I want to know the spells. People were laughing at MisterX, for good reason. He was right about apis he just needed a more balanced setup to show they could offset quite a bit. Is nintendo game, we will find out so start that countdown?

Welcome to negoaf megaton or megadud, it's spring time and there's no better way to start it than to throw down with a bit a love.

 

[shark sandwich]

I just really hope this isn't another "8 netbook CPU cores from 2012" SoC. That was such a weird and disappointing choice by Sony and MS. It was the longest console generational gap yet the smallest generational leap in power we have ever seen.

I think it'd be awesome if Nintendo went with 3-4 larger, more powerful cores instead. That would probably make NX much easier to develop for, in addition to making it more powerful than PS4/X1.

 

[Exodust]

We're going to do exactly that, the same way, as you do with your just as willfully ignorant bias that Nintendo cheaps out because of Nintendo and because of Wii and Wii U, ignoring that Nintendo ironically had more console gens with "up to date" hardware, than with weak and old hardware.

Things to consider, PS4/XOne were never really top notch hardware, even before launch. This not really top notch hardware does get cheaper by time, and with PS4K you can bet Sony is aiming for that magic $250,- price point for the PS4 vanilla, and i doubt that they're going to take a loss with the hardware again.
Therefore, a system with a hardware level around the current gen machines with an affordable price is neither impossible nor unrealistic.

Then, we have a user that basically says that, at least, the CPU is better than the one in the other vanilla consoles, and this user has track records. Yes, things can change between dev kit hardware/early specifications, but those can go both ways.

And for the hint, np, i thought you might need it.

More? Nah dude, track record shows that their last few attempts, from handheld to console, have been underpowered compared to the competition. That's not me talking out of my ass, that's me going on what Nintendo have been doing for about ten years now. The fact that the Bone and PS4 are underpowered doesn't mean that the NX will match them or surpass them either, if anything it makes hardware power seem like more of an afterthought. Especially since Nintendo will probably be focused on chasing the Wii crowd again, the audience where they found the most success. And probably won't be willing to sell a console at a loss again or "cater to the core gamer" after the Wii U didn't pan out.

I don't trust so called "insiders", on GAF or not. Especially when it comes to Nintendo. As that's where you usually run into mental gymnastics.

I don't know what part of my posts managed to get you pissed off, or go ahead and assume that I know nothing about Nintendo's hardware or history. Aside from the fact that I said something you didn't like in a thread about a dumb rumor, with some posts being in jest. But OK, I'm totally wrong on a console we know nothing about in the first place.

 

[Always-honest]

It won't happen with a powerful console coming with a high price tag.

Exactly.
And for what we know now, Nintendo will create pure magic on a console with these specs.

Third party will always be a problem i guess. But at least they seem to be accomadating them this time.