Rumor: Intel vying for Larrabee chip in Xbox 720
by Ross Miller 
{ Sep 5th 2008 at 12:50PM }
The Xbox 360 currently uses a PowerPC-based CPU from IBM and a GPU designed by ATI. Should this rumor prove true, our first reaction is "cool" and our second is to wonder about backwards compatibility, which became an issue given that the original Xbox's GPU was based on a different, Nvidia-based architecture in comparison to its successor.
[Via Tweaktown; Thanks, Tigerj]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
princeofshapeir @ Sep 5th 2008 12:58PM
Ross, your third reaction should be the Valhalla chip (source: 8bitjoystick).
MS is planning on manufacturing an Xbox 360 CPU/GPU combination chip codenamed Valhalla. Don't be surprised if this chip ends up in the third generation Xbox.
A lot of people forget the reason why the Xbox was aborted so soon was that nVidia stopped manufacturing graphics chips (including the one used in the first Xbox), and Microsoft wasn't controlling the manufacturing of the CPU and GPU at the time, so they had to move on. Now that they have control of it I don't think it would be that far fetched to see them put Valhalla in the next generation system.
Erwos @ Sep 5th 2008 1:21PM
I, too, think that we'll see hardware-based BC in the Xbox 720, based on what they're doing with the Valhalla revision. Or it could be optional, ala the PS3, I suppose.
I have really high hopes for the 360's successor. They got it almost completely right on the software and specs bit of things, so all they really need to do is to get PS3-quality hardware (including the amazing standards support).
Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 5th 2008 12:57PM
What's up with all this early talk about Next-Gen? I've barely had a 360 for over a fucking year and no fucking way am I paying +$700 for a new "next-gen" console.
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 5th 2008 1:00PM
All the next-gen consoles are in some state of development, from Iwata's admission of the Wii's successor to the well-known fancies of a PS4
These companies look far ahead, but we'll see a good 3 years out of what we're playing now
Erwos @ Sep 5th 2008 1:04PM
Is it our fault you came late to the party? That's like me bitching that I bought a PS2 way after its release, and how dare they release a PS3 next year!
John Z @ Sep 5th 2008 1:13PM
Development on the next-gen systems is usually in the planning phases as soon as the "new" systems hit stores, if not sooner. It takes a hell of a lot of time to get these things out the door, so it's not really that unreasonable to learn that MS is doing some advance thinking on their third machine's hardware.
Now, if they were HYPING it at this early of a stage, it would smack of Phantom-style shenanigans. As it stands right now, this is more or less specs-nerd fetish fuel.
...I'll be in my bunk.
Titanium_Orchid @ Sep 5th 2008 1:30PM
hehe, the Phantom.
Most aptly named console ever.
deaftly @ Sep 5th 2008 1:44PM
Life cycles of consoles are generally about 5 years or so. Don't be surprised to hear a preview of the next xbox next year at e3.
WhoMe @ Sep 5th 2008 1:52PM
"Development on the next-gen systems is usually in the planning phases as soon as the "new" systems hit stores, if not sooner. It takes a hell of a lot of time to get these things out the door, so it's not really that unreasonable to learn that MS is doing some advance thinking on their third machine's hardware."
Exactly, just as it is with games. I love it when people start bitching when there is news that a company is working on the next game while their "current" game isn't even on shelves yet. That's just how it is, now whether or not it's smart telling people about it is another thing.
Anyway, the next xbox is probably the furthest along. They absolutely want another head start for obvious reasons. Expect to hear more and more news about this going forward.
I'm guessing a year or two till the next xbox. Let's see what happens with the current xbox when that time comes around...
BananaBoat @ Sep 5th 2008 4:11PM
The second you buy electronics, they become obsolete. It's designed that way so that you have to keep spending money if you want to keep up with the curve.
Also, I'm vaguely shamed that the first comment on this story wasn't "Really? Larrabee? So we can run PS2-quality games on our 720's?" Larrabee would make the Xbox 720 a laughing stock.
I'd rather jump off a bridge than go back to using any graphics solution made by Intel.
DigDug @ Sep 5th 2008 5:43PM
Microsoft pulled the rug under the feet from original XBox owners after what 3 years? So I suppose it's time is almost time again..
As for Intel GPU's LOL, anyone remember the last time Intel had a decentr GPU?
DangerMouse @ Sep 5th 2008 6:03PM
^ That's because it was losing huge to the PS2. This time around, the 360 has been very successful, so doing the same thing again would be disastrous. The 360 life span will be longer than the original X-Box's, so it'll be a while before they announce anything. Also, most third party companies can't afford to side with one console anymore, so chances are they'll be at the mercy of the less powerful console and develop around that.
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 5th 2008 12:58PM
Microsoft didn't own the rights to the Nvidia XCPU, which led to the whole host of problems they've had with BC on the 360. Individual emulation and all that
Microsoft won't have the problem to that degree again. But if the NextBox is enough of a technological leap to be able to soft-emulate a 360, i'd be a bit scared that the massive technological arms race isn't coming to a halt, and that the non-Nintendo consoles will still hit at about $400 and up
But the point is they won't have the same problem again
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 5th 2008 1:18PM
oh, and i just love reading "the inqueir"
Moffka @ Sep 5th 2008 1:09PM
If this is true, I'm calling for a law suit against Intel!
My last name is Larrabee >_>
Duke @ Sep 5th 2008 1:15PM
...and, I would you like to tell us your social security, bank, and passwords? Internet thanks you.
John Z @ Sep 5th 2008 1:16PM
CONFIRMED: Soylent Xbox is PEOPLE!!
Jakka(Naked Peach Brigade) @ Sep 5th 2008 1:35PM
"Soylent Xbox is Japanese!!!"
There, corrected.Or at least that'd explain why they hate it...
Fenix @ Sep 5th 2008 1:17PM
Chips?
I myself like Lay's Cheddar & SourCream with a nice Turkey Samich :)
xGeneral DEATHx @ Sep 5th 2008 1:53PM
Baked, right?
Fenix @ Sep 5th 2008 2:05PM
Both :D
F1 @ Sep 5th 2008 1:25PM
You know if Intel backs them up its not to far fetched to actually consider that the new Xbox may infact blur the lines of counsel and pc gaming. Microsft already has their thumb on the PC anyways, and combined with their Vista 360 crossing (Shadowrun) its not to far fetched.
AwesomeTown @ Sep 5th 2008 1:27PM
I keep hearing about Intel and NVIDIA moving toward a combination CPU/GPU. Is the race going to start through the next gen consoles? And anyone know what NVIDIA's or ATI's plans are?
aristokrat @ Sep 6th 2008 9:32AM
I think you've actually been hearing about the GPGPU, or general purpose GPU, meaning that the GPU can do central processing as well during downtime. This is what Larrabee is purported to be: a powerful, scalable (starting at 16 cores or something) GPGPU. I don't understand why people are bashing it though, since Intel is at the top of their game currently and Larrabee is going to crush when integrated with all of Intel's new proc/mb tech (QuickConnect or whatever, etc.). They're cooking up some cool stuff and I everybody else is just trying to keep up.
phr3qu3ncy441 @ Sep 5th 2008 1:32PM
i wished they'd stop this whole console war nonsense and just go with one console (and just have multiple skus). maybe something all 3 companies can collaborate on.
Burritoclock @ Sep 5th 2008 1:42PM
Then we can get all car companies to collaborate on one car, all the TV manufactures to make one TV, all the cell phone makers to make one cell phone, all the resturants to serve from one menu, all the clothing stores to have one kind of pants, shirts, shoes, etc.
Man life would be so easy then... maybe we could all have the same jobs and the same pay, hell live in the same apartments, we could even have the same haircuts! The Tv networks could just simulcast all the same shows at the same time, that would sure make it easier to pick what to watch I tell ya!
Options, choices, and decisions are for the birds!
Haggard @ Sep 5th 2008 1:49PM
He's not suggesting quite that, though I agree with your sentiments that choice is usually good.
No, what's silly is that games consoles only play their respective games. After all, buying a Phillips TV doesn't limit you to officially licensed Phillips programming.
I think he's suggesting more open scheme for gaming whereby there was a global standard platform that games ran on, and you could choose between different 'consoles' each one perhaps having different benefits; but all games would work on all consoles.
However, this will never happen. Except in PC gaming, happened decades ago there.
Burritoclock @ Sep 5th 2008 1:58PM
I know he isn't suggesting that, I guess (other than a bad work week) the cause of my lashing out is what seems to be a lack of any form of business education in schools, but rather than write a long rant I'll just leave it at that.
Vcize @ Sep 5th 2008 2:15PM
Indeed, who needs competition, innovation, and low prices?
As much as it's still trying to catch up, does anyone really think the PSN would exist AT ALL if Xbox Live weren't around to push them? We may not even have hard drives in our consoles yet if the companies weren't constantly fighting each other. We'd probably have a PSN-less, hard driveless PS3 still sitting at its original $600 price tag as our only option.
SoulBlade @ Sep 5th 2008 2:30PM
You really think that most people on Joystiq are educated? What about the ones who use the number 3 instead of the letter e?
Bad work week also.
Ironhide @ Sep 5th 2008 4:05PM
Easy now! Look at the competition between manufacturers with almost any technology! There's tons of competition there. A simple DVD player has so many options alone. A single console would be the ideal concept, and it just depends on the manufacturer to add bells and whistles but the over all console aspect would be the same.
Trip Hopkins did try that with the 3DO. Overpriced, under supported, and a lot of weak sauce games led to it's downfall. He did pitch it to Sony as an option to take part but they were working on the PSone at the time. IF the price is right, and IF console companies can agree on one format, then we would see some very cool stuff hitting. Software specifics like online play ie Xbox Live could still be used, but it would take something impressive to sway a consumer over to 'their' services.
dlahay @ Sep 5th 2008 1:34PM
Eff backwards compatibility. It's un-f'n-necessary.
Dirty @ Sep 5th 2008 1:40PM
I agree. I thought I cared about BC but then I thought about it and I don't think I ever used it when it was available. Its just another feather in a consoles cap, fodder for fanboy arguments.
Duke @ Sep 5th 2008 1:42PM
Many people would disagree. Especially now that achievements/trophies exist and people enjoy boosting their scores.
Malachor @ Sep 5th 2008 2:08PM
I agree. I haven't used it once with the 360. So many people bitch and moan for this feature, but all they have to do is not sell their consoles!
Shagittarius @ Sep 5th 2008 2:11PM
I agree backwards compatibility is a waste.
Joystick Hero @ Sep 5th 2008 2:33PM
For us poor people, backwards compatibility is pretty great. Especially since we tend to sell our old consoles to upgrade. Hell, after that, you might only have the dough to buy a single new game alongside it. It's nice to still be able to play your entire library, instead of being stuck with one game for a while.
TheAzureKnight @ Sep 5th 2008 1:39PM
Cool. I like Intel. Make itmore powerful than the ps4 (assuming sony doesn't go bankrupt by then) and I'm down.
Wiinterfang @ Sep 5th 2008 1:43PM
I don't like the name Xbox 720, yes it looks nice written but it doesn't roll out of the tongue nicely.
Fenix @ Sep 5th 2008 1:52PM
I highly doubt thats gonna be the real name anyway.
Duke @ Sep 5th 2008 2:10PM
Yeah, thats just what people call it because a new name has yet to be announced. Remember the Revolution?
Dirty @ Sep 5th 2008 3:00PM
I think he is saying that its not even good as a filler.
Dirty @ Sep 5th 2008 1:44PM
I think the next gen Xbox wont be a graphical leap forward as much as a different platform with better features. I think the wii changed the game and Microsoft will head in the direction of the cash flow. I wouldnt mind if the 360 and wii made a love child ... a sweet motion controlling graphical power house console that had some decent software and awesome online play.. love child.
Shagittarius @ Sep 5th 2008 2:09PM
I'm hoping motion controls are dead by next gen myself.
FemaleOrca @ Sep 5th 2008 2:16PM
Couldnt agree with Shagittarius more.
Vcize @ Sep 5th 2008 2:17PM
Yeah, please keep awkward, laggy controls and shovelware off my next gen console. Thanks.
Wah-hah-ha! @ Sep 5th 2008 2:28PM
laggy controls? What console were you playing again?
I personally would favor the fusion, something with more power, but with the superior controls
As long as Nintendo made games for it, of course.
Jack of No Trades 85 @ Sep 5th 2008 2:55PM
"As long as Nintendo made games for it, of course."
Lol, why? The 360/PS3 have plenty of super fantastic games without Nintendo developing on them.
Tyler Jones @ Sep 6th 2008 12:17AM
Yeah, I play videos games to sit on my ass, not wave my arms around. Ive no interest in motion controls as they are now.
p.s., is the "remember me" function still not working for alot of people? never works for me.
XDragon @ Sep 5th 2008 1:45PM
This gen, having owned every console, I can say I prefer the PS3. I do expect MS to take a more significant lead in the next gen. They used the xbox to get in the market by making a PC in a box, they've used the 360 to try out their ideas so I expect everything to be perfected for their next system. The 2 issues with the 360 are limited storage optical media and hardware reliability issues. If those 2 issues weren't there, I'd prefer the 360 to the PS3. I can't handle the fear of the RROD that still exists on curent new systems(don't say its gone because its not; I know people with new sku 360s that are getting the issue after a few weeks). I only hope they get rid of the issues for real with their next chip sets and avoid the issue all together with their next console. I have high expectations for the "next xbox" but we're still years away from that!