ATI Xbox 2 graphics chip ready in Q1 2005

New Xbox 2 graphics chip to be based on ATI' s next-generation R520 desktop graphics processor.

Citing market sources, IT news Web site DigiTimes reports that ATI is prepared to " roll out" its Xbox 2 GPU, code-named the R500, in the first quarter of next year. According to the report, the R500 will be based on ATI' s next-generation R520 desktop graphics processor, and semiconductor foundry TSMC will produce the chip using a 90nm manufacturing process.

By James Yu -- GameSpot

That news doesn' t instill the greatest amount of confidence in me, lol.. I guess I' d want the Xbox graphics chip to be unique, not some PC hand-me down.

Gotta give Sony & Toshiba credit, while the Dreamcast, PS2, GameCube, and Xbox have 128-bit graphics capabilities, the PS2 seems to be the only one with a true blue 128-bit CPU out of the current gen consoles..

Indeed. The Gamecube Nintendo (it' s official name) and the Xbox are both 32-bit systems.

And the Dreamcast was 64-bit...

While many claim that bits don' t matter anymore I kinda have to disagree to an extent. I' ve often wondered just how much easier it would have been for the Dreamcast to shift 2-3 million polygons if it had a true 128-bit CPU to work with its 128-bit graphics chip..

I don' t think 32-bit or 64-bit CPUs can handle all of the information being shot at them from 128-bit graphics chips all at once. Makes me wonder if the PS2 is more efficient at processing data. Might not always show it onscreen but I wonder what' s happening underneath its hood.

They say that the PS2 is the toughest system to program for and get good results with, but it can happen. While a true 64-bit or a true 128-bit CPU can help, it can be a detractor if the technology isn' t mature (like the PS2 CPU). 64-bit chips are just now becoming available in home computers, and they are not cheap. The Mac G5 is a 64-bit CPU. There are 64-Bit CPUs becoming available for Windows machines and they are considering making Windows itself optimized for 64-bit processing. Makes me wonder what kind of 128-bit chip is in the PS2. Although it is 128-bit, I doubt it is anywhere near as powerful as any of the 64-bit chips out on the market today. I am typing this on a dual 32-Bit Mac G4, and it can do things that the Xbox, Gamecube Nintendo (its official name) and the PS2 could never dream of doing.

My overall point is that I don' t think the PS2 has a hidden monster of power in it. We' ve seen what it can do, and that' s it. I think Gran Turdismo 4 will be the pinnacle, and that game could easily be done just as well on the Xbox or Gamecube Nintendo (its official name), but the Gamecube Nintendo (its official name) version would have t be on mutliple discs, that' s for sure.

I' m getting kinda pissed. I really feel they are rushing this generation. I don' t think the new batch should come out until 2007 at the earliest.