Why on earth are people still believing the powerpc based cpu of the gamecube, wii and wii u is still competitive?
The original xbox was doing games like Half Life 2 with superior AI and a physics engine that just wasn't possible on Gamecube and that only had an old Celeron running at 733mhz. No one at the time believed the Gamecube was as powerful as the Xbox in cpu terms and it could easily be demonstrated too that it wasn't. Now we are saying the wii u using the same basic cpu architecture is competitive with the PS4? It staggers the mind that anyone can believe that.
The current crop of wii u games show it can struggle due to lack of cpu resources. The major reason wii u games struggle with frame rates is the cpu. The major reason the ps3 struggles with frame rates is the gpu design and lack of very high speed video memory that the 360 has. Generally the 360 is outperforming the wii u and PS3 easily for frame rates but for different reasons. However properly programmed the ps3 can go ahead by full optimisation of the cell processor.
There is absolutely no evidence that the wii u cpu performance is in anyway competitive with the new PS4 and Xbox 720 models. The strength of the wii u lies in its gpu and additional memory over the 360 and PS3 but if you get a game that requires additional cpu resources, something like Skyrim for example the wii u will struggle to compete with existing gen models.
I mean for christ sake the cpu architecture of the wii u was desighed in the last century. Its just an updated version of the gamecube cpu, now faster and there are three of them. Yes there is other enhancements with regard cache etc but its performance is below that of the 360 and PS3. Easily verified by reading developer leaks and just seeing games in action.
The x86 architecture was designed back in like what, 70's? Just because the AMD APU is based off x86 doesn't mean it's weaker than a P1, or that it has the Pentium Flaw. IBM makes very good processors, but they usually are more expensive and harder to develop for. Harder to develop for because it's entirely different then what everyone else uses in the computer world.
I'm kind of tired of having the debate, over and over again. The Wii U hasn't really shown you anything. All the games -- even Black Ops 2 -- are pretty much ports from old gen hardware. Which, by the way, are based off games that depend on the CPU. Which, by the way, the PS4 appears to be the same way. To have a good GPU and a lower clocked, less powerful CPU. It's the best way to make a console because it can keep the price down (why do you think Sony is choosing a BUDGET APU that combines the CPU and GPU). And everything you have seen, according to the leaks last December, was developed using an A8. Which is not a super powerful CPU (for the PS4).
And the GameCube was pretty powerful. I don't know why you are knocking it. Yes, the Xbox was more powerful. It was clearly the more powerful console. But why do you think Microsoft went with a PowerPC instead of a x86 for the Xbox 360? And that PowerPC processor was a beast back in 2005. Sure, Intel has come a long way since then. So has AMD. But it boggles my mind why you think IBM hasn't. I remember when they announced the Power6 was announced people were saying Apple made a mistake switching to Intel. Here is an article talking about the POWER6. If you read through the comments, you can see some of discussion if Apple made a mistake making the switch. I don't think they did because I know Intel is making good processors now, however back then the iMac G5 was more powerful and more advanced then the first gen Intel iMac's, so yes I was one who thought they made a mistake too.
And before you ask, Sony is choosing AMD because of cost. AMD's A8 APU can be bought, at retail, 89 dollars. That includes a GPU and CPU, obviously. IBM can't compete with that. Plus they wanted a platform easier to develop for, and the IBM Cell was not easy to develop for. Microsoft we don't know who they are choosing, but they are looking into AMD and ARM according to the huge leak that was quickly removed. Again, easier to develop for and cheaper. Notice the theme here, though. Sony, and according to the leak Microsoft as well, are going for lower clocked, less powerful CPU's and a more powerful GPU. See the trend?
Anyway, I digress. You clearly don't know anything about IBM and their processors, which is fine. Why would you? But as a tech enthusiast, going to ITT Tech and learning about computers, processors and where they started (and as an Apple/Nintendo fan) I keep up to date on all CPU companies. I've always been a fan if IBM and ATI, which is now AMD. ATI made great video cards, and they still do. Again, why do you think all the companies making consoles choose AMD to make their GPU's?
Edited by MorbidGod, 02 March 2013 - 09:54 AM.
Whovian12 -- Nintendo Network ID.