PSP2 to feature a new type of Quad core GPU?

Another rumor has surfaced again in regards to the PSP’s successor the PSP2.  Eurogamer.es has reported from undisclosed insider sources that the PSP2, Sony is apparently working on will feature the newest PowerVR tech GPU. Some type of powered Quad core GPU. Which by the sounds of it would turn the PSP2 into a hand-held gaming beast. Single core version of PowerVR GPU’s have been proven to run Quake 3 Arena at 30fps. So you can image what a low powered quad core GPU could so for Sony’s next hand-held?

Remember it is just all rumors at this stage. Just like the sliding screen PSP-4000 was that turned out to be the PSP GO….

The chip itself appears to be very close indeed to the enhanced GPU experts say resides within the iPhone 3GS, providing a generational leap in performance over older PowerVR MBX processors found in the previous models. The same technology is also found in select netbooks such as the Dell Mini 12, as part of the new low power Poulsbo chipset. The single core version of the chip has been demonstrated at CES running Quake 3 Arena at 30FPS.

The obvious difference of course is that the SGX543MP is a multicore processor, available with anything up to 16 cores on tap. According to the original report, PSP2 opts for a quad configuration offering notional specs of 133 million polygons per second, and 4Gpixels/sec fillrate, assuming that Hydra operates at the chip’s low-end of 200MHz (higher speed variants are also available, presumably for desktop use). While specs like this are always subject to interpretation, these figures are a ballpark match for the original Xbox. However, PowerVR’s tech includes tile-based deferred rendering, which should provide a nice performance boost.

Also of interest is the fact that Imagination Technologies itself describes the chip as a GP-GPU, meaning it has the ability to operate as both CPU and graphics processor in one handy package, similar to projects being worked on by Intel and AMD. It may well be that PSP2 will centralise all of its processing into a single chip, thus saving power and providing other efficiency savings from a programming perspective (lightning fast interaction between game logic and graphics, for example).

Source: Eurogamer.net

Related posts

• Sony replies to PSP successor rumours (26)
• PSP-4000 in 2009 and PSP2 later? (9)
• PSP 2? Maybe not. (14)
• Not a PSP2 or PSP-4000 but PSP 3G? (20)
• More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumors – Dual analogue sticks (34)

More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumours...

Here’s some fresh new PSP2 / PSP-4000 rumors via Pocket Gamer. They also seem to have an insider source working on the new PSP hardware that claims the PSP2 or PSP-4000 (whatever Sony want to call it) will have a sliding touchscreen and dual analogue sticks… Nice, like most PSP gamers dual sticks has been on my wish list.

Here’s the rumor from Chris James @ Pocket Gamer:

There’s also been a lot of talk about how Sony might react to the competition on offer from the phenomenal success of Apple’s iPhone and iPod touch.

Unsurprisingly the console manufacturer has been comparatively mute in both cases, denying the existence of a PSP sequel and any threat from Apple. However, having spoken to an insider source – who’s not Dave Perry, but is a developer working on the new hardware – we can reveal that the new handheld will arrive before Christmas and will be far more similar to the iPhone than the current device.

Like Apple’s newcomer, the PSP 2 will be a compact device with a large touchscreen. However, where Sony’s machine has the edge is when the touchscreen is slid open as it reveals familiar buttons, D-pads and – praise the Lord of Handhelds – dual analogue controls.

This new format should allow for both existing hardcore console titles as well as simpler touchscreen games along the lines of those currently available in the App Store. And like the App Store, (and in the absence of UMD), the games will all be available for digital download via the PlayStation Store.

Although this hasn’t been confirmed, our speculation is that Sony’s initial plans for a small upgrade to a PSP 4000 model have since been accelerated by the success of the iPhone and arrival of Nintendo DSi.

As yet those are all the details we have, but we understand the full specs and pricing will be unveiled at E3 in June.

Hmmm very interesting and of course to be taken with a pinch of salt. I guess time will tell come E3 time in June. Not too far away…..

Discuss this in our forum!

Source: Pocket Gamer

Related posts

• Sony replies to PSP successor rumours (26)
• PSP-4000 in 2009 and PSP2 later? (9)
• Not a PSP2 or PSP-4000 but PSP 3G? (20)
• Rumor: PSP2 GPU to be a quad core beast? (20)
• PSP-4000 with sliding screen in the works? (58)

Artist's Impression of the PSP 3G?

There have been further PSP2 / PSP-4000 rumors out there on the web lately, which now seem to point towards a 3G enabled PSP, surprisingly called a PSP 3G. Again this is a apparent insider source and not very creditable. However they claim:

The new PSP model will be called PSP 3G. Unlike previous PSP models it will have a touch screen as well as an UMTS support, Bluetooth and a microphone. That means you will be able to use it easily as a normal mobile phone. With its ultra compact size and design it will be not much bigger than an iPhone but it will offer you the highest gaming comfort. There won’t be any UMD-drive any more but instead a keyboard with a slide mechanism though. But of course, you will be able to download all the games from the PSN Store with the PSP 3G soon. Cooperating with Sony Ericsson, we will be able to deliver the PSP 3G in the USA and Japan by the end of April 2009.

Sound to good to be true, I’m sure all the rumblings and talk of a next model PSP aren’t all for nothing. Look what happened when we heard about the PSP-3000. It was the same, a new model coming with a built in Mircophone and a better screen..That did come due. I guess come April we will see if there is a new PSP 3G /PSP2 / PSP-4000 or whatever it will be called.

Related posts

• Sony replies to PSP successor rumours (26)
• PSP-4000 in 2009 and PSP2 later? (9)
• More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumors – Dual analogue sticks (34)
• Rumor: PSP2 GPU to be a quad core beast? (20)
• PSP-4000 with sliding screen in the works? (58)

Just a misinterpretation, goodbye to UMD’s?

News going around that Sony is already working on a PSP-4000 and PSP2 have been quickly denied by John Koller of SCE.

He explained that it was a misinterpretation, and says that Sony is urging developers to move away from the UMD platform and onto digital distribution of games through the PlayStation Store. “No plans for a PSP2 are underway.”

This should clear up any thoughts you may have had of the PSP2/PSP-4000 rumours.

Via Alley Insider

Related posts

• PSP-4000 in 2009 and PSP2 later? (9)
• Not a PSP2 or PSP-4000 but PSP 3G? (20)
• More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumors – Dual analogue sticks (34)
• Rumor: PSP2 GPU to be a quad core beast? (20)
• PSP-4000 with sliding screen in the works? (58)

PSP-4000 and PSP2 coming?

Not much in the way of PSP news. But here’s something for the old rumor mill thanks to Eurogamer.

Sony plans to refresh the PlayStation Portable product line with a PSP-4000 model in late 2009 and launch a true successor – a PSP2, if you like – later.

Publishing sources, speaking to Eurogamer, were unable to provide any further detail on next year’s update, which will presumably follow this year’s PSP-3000 in taking an iterative approach. The PSP-3000 launched this October and followed a 2000-series model, the first Slim & Lite, in September 2007.

Even fewer details were available on the PSP successor, but we’re told that developers are already working on games.

Sony has not ruled out either scenario, despite SCEE president David Reeves’ assertion in MCV last week that “there are currently no plans for a PSP2″. “I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it – I think they have their hands full at the moment,” he said, non-committally.

Sony UK told Eurogamer today that it would not comment on rumour and speculation.

Source: Eurogamer

Related posts

• Sony replies to PSP successor rumours (26)
• Not a PSP2 or PSP-4000 but PSP 3G? (20)
• More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumors – Dual analogue sticks (34)
• Rumor: PSP2 GPU to be a quad core beast? (20)
• PSP-4000 with sliding screen in the works? (58)

One of many PSP 2 concepts circulating the web

David Reeves of SCEE says that there are no plans for a “PSP 2″ anytime soon, or maybe at all.

Here’s what he had to say:

“No, there are currently no plans for a PSP2. I go to Tokyo quite a lot and no one has referred to it – I think they have their hands full at the moment,” … “We just launched the PSP-3000 so we are still focused on this generation of the platform,” … “The PSP is as successful in numbers as PS2 – it tracks its numbers in a cumulative basis,” … “Its weakness, however, is its software. And that’s because developers, when it comes to placing their bets, have to choose PS3 and 360, then Wii, then DS, maybe even PS2 before PSP. It’s the same at our internal studios, where the focus has been on PS3. They’ve also focused a lot on PS2 as well because we have to get the SingStars out for that format. So PSP games will come – they just take a while longer.”

In summary, Sony has no plans for a PSP 2 and are currently looking to improve the current PSP. It is noted that the games themselves are letting the PSP down, despite hardware and firmware upgrades, with developers focusing more on other platforms such as PS3 and X360 before looking into the PSP.

Source: MCV

Related posts

• Sony replies to PSP successor rumours (26)
• Rumor: PSP2 GPU to be a quad core beast? (20)
• PSP-4000 in 2009 and PSP2 later? (9)
• Not a PSP2 or PSP-4000 but PSP 3G? (20)
• More PSP2 / PSP-4000 Rumors – Dual analogue sticks (34)