Rumor: PSP2 powered by Imagination Technology 'Hydra' chip
by Jem Alexander 
{ Jul 7th 2009 at 2:30PM } 
The PSP Go? It's already old news. The rumors have started afresh with details on Sony's next, next handheld console. The PSP2 is apparently already in development and, according to some inside info that Eurogamer.es has allegedly got its hands on, Imagination Technology's PowerVR tech will be an important part of the device.
Without getting into too many technical specifics, the chip -- codenamed "Hydra" -- will allow for 133 million polygons per second and a fillrate of 4Gpixels per second, with higher potential chip speeds obviously allowing for even more graphical power. Digital Foundry suggests this is a "ballpark match for the original Xbox." Allegedly, the chip will act as both a GPU and CPU simultaneously, increasing power efficiency and helping in other areas of programming for the device.
This is simply a rumor, for now, but if true we probably won't be hearing about the PSP2 until 2010 at the latest. It wouldn't make much sense to release an entirely new handheld just as the PSP looks like it's about to take off again. Unless it has backwards compatibility, that is. Then again, we know how that worked out last time.
Without getting into too many technical specifics, the chip -- codenamed "Hydra" -- will allow for 133 million polygons per second and a fillrate of 4Gpixels per second, with higher potential chip speeds obviously allowing for even more graphical power. Digital Foundry suggests this is a "ballpark match for the original Xbox." Allegedly, the chip will act as both a GPU and CPU simultaneously, increasing power efficiency and helping in other areas of programming for the device.
This is simply a rumor, for now, but if true we probably won't be hearing about the PSP2 until 2010 at the latest. It wouldn't make much sense to release an entirely new handheld just as the PSP looks like it's about to take off again. Unless it has backwards compatibility, that is. Then again, we know how that worked out last time.
[Via GamesIndustry.biz]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Girugamuk (Moptimus Slimed) @ Jul 7th 2009 2:35PM
All I saw at first was "PSP2 Powered by Imagination"
Neuromancer @ Jul 7th 2009 2:40PM
It pretty much is, at this point.
Cody @ Jul 7th 2009 2:51PM
ROFL
Captain Planet @ Jul 7th 2009 3:37PM
1999: Emotion Engine
2006: Cell 'Broadband' Engine
2009: Hydra
2012: Something else to get the fanboys bragging about something they know absolutely nothing about.
Jono @ Jul 7th 2009 5:02PM
The pic of that PSP mock up is the best. It is so good I wish it was really real.
I like Sony a lot but it makes me sad they'll never see this picture and it won't ever, ever look nearly as good as this will.
LegendaryRedass @ Jul 7th 2009 6:47PM
They need an extra heart for neuromancer.
Now, give me 2 sticks or piss off Sony.
Unplugged @ Jul 7th 2009 2:36PM
As long as it doesn't look like that ugly ass picture I'll buy it.
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 7th 2009 2:37PM
I disagree. I was actually about to post that's a pretty cool mock-up.
Unplugged @ Jul 7th 2009 2:40PM
My only real complaint about it is the analog sticks. Yeah theres two of them but there on the top half of the PSP. If they were on the bottom then I wouldn't have any problems with it.
Neuromancer @ Jul 7th 2009 2:41PM
Actually I like the placement, on the PSP my thumb naturally rests on the d-pad and not the analog nub.
ronEbear @ Jul 7th 2009 2:42PM
The mock-up makes more sense ergonomically than the current PSP GO! The L and R buttons are still accessible when shut it appears. Having the controls spaced apart that was looks way less cramped than the current GO`s configuration. Ugly ass is not a valid way to describe the mock-up. Definite improvement is more appropriate.
Cody @ Jul 7th 2009 2:52PM
I gotta agree with you, Storm. It kinda just makes sense the way they mocked that up.
Xoonaka @ Jul 7th 2009 3:11PM
For the record, the mock up image for the article seems to have been changed since the original commenter showed his dislike.
I like this new mock up a lot, especially if the screen slides up higher and can tilt a bit. It's what the ugly Go should have been.
CH3BURASHKA @ Jul 7th 2009 3:14PM
That mock-up looks infinitely better than the real stupid one.
Mr Khan @ Jul 7th 2009 4:21PM
I'm siding with "ugly" on this one. It just looks too square (specifically referring to shape, and not the possible double entendre with the outdated phrase for uncool)
CrashSpyro123 @ Jul 7th 2009 4:50PM
That's an absolutely awful ergonomic nightmare that would even put the GBA SP to shame. Shoulder buttons on the side of the controls would cause cramps in seconds. The Go easily looks like it would feel better on the hands than that monstrosity of a mock-up.
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 7th 2009 2:36PM
oh here we go
Now people will be waiting for this instead of buying the Go just like they did when the Go was just a rumor and how people are waiting for the "slim" instead of buying the PS3 now
Storm Eagle::The Blood Edge @ Jul 7th 2009 2:38PM
Cry me a river?
captainprotonx @ Jul 7th 2009 2:38PM
That's a problem because....???
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 7th 2009 2:39PM
because its all speculation...
Snowblind @ Jul 7th 2009 2:39PM
The slim is not just a rumour, I assure you.
WREturns @ Jul 7th 2009 2:40PM
Your mom is speculation.
Neuromancer @ Jul 7th 2009 2:41PM
Oh snap!
Longhorn of Myon [PSN: MariusElijah] @ Jul 7th 2009 2:42PM
I know the slim is not a rumor all signs are pointing towards it coming "soon".
@WREturns
was that suppose to be a comeback or something....
ilovethewaggle @ Jul 7th 2009 2:51PM
people will still wait for speculation, men wait all the time for the ultimate female speculation. The internet says it exists so it must be out there somewhere....i'll continue to wait.
captainprotonx @ Jul 7th 2009 2:52PM
So, you advocate bad consumer spending habits? Just buy ANYTHING that comes along?
The facts are there. Newer tech refreshes and potential price cuts should make the consumer completely weary of spending cash on an item that will be outmoded.
Drew @ Jul 7th 2009 3:17PM
Snowblind, I really hope you're wrong so you look like an idiot. Then I will giggle softly.
Mr Khan @ Jul 7th 2009 4:33PM
Slim is pretty much proven at this point, Sony themselves aren't trying to deny it (haven't confirmed it, but won't deny it)
ignfan69 @ Jul 7th 2009 5:31PM
I'm waiting for the slim so I can get my MGS4 on in style
Chowder @ Jul 7th 2009 2:39PM
I'll buy the PSP2.
WREturns @ Jul 7th 2009 2:40PM
If it has 2 analogs there is a damn good chance that I'll buy one.
Mo @ Jul 7th 2009 5:29PM
Dearest Sony,
dual analogs make it a day 1 for me.
i reject psp in all form without dual analog
love,
mo
Chin-Paaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!! @ Jul 7th 2009 2:40PM
I'm excited to see what graphical prowess it will have vs. the PSP1.
At least it should be backwards compatibility with digital downloads if not UMDs like the Go.
WREturns @ Jul 7th 2009 2:45PM
I hope it puts the Wii to shame in the graphics department and Nintendo is so embarrassed that it has no choice but to gets its shit together and releases a beast of a new console because I'm fucking sick of the majority of Wii games looking like crap. Don't get me wrong, Mario Galaxy, Prime 3, Punch-Out!! and a few others look great, but overall I feel the lack.
mr nimblewick @ Jul 7th 2009 2:49PM
If Mario Galaxy, Prime 3, Punch-Out!! all look great, how is it Nintendo's fault when other games don't look as good? The Wii is obviously capable of some nice visuals.
tmacairjordan87 @ Jul 7th 2009 2:51PM
Well it said it's supposed to be on par with xbox 1, and the current psp is pretty much a ps2...so if that's all true, then it's not going to be much of a jump.
Cody @ Jul 7th 2009 2:54PM
WRE,
Rest assured, by the time a PSP2 is released, Wii 2's will be in living rooms all across the world my friend.
WREturns @ Jul 7th 2009 2:57PM
I'm just saying that Nintendo has never been a slouch in the graphics department before this gen and going from playing CoD4 or GTA4 online and then going to the Conduit with its shitty character models is a letdown. I want Nintendo to have great graphics AND evolutionary gameplay. They've always been able to handle both before now. So what gives?
Cheesus(Crust) @ Jul 7th 2009 2:57PM
The orgininal Xbox could do 720p and 1080i. Maybe the screen will be 1280*720?
Cellien @ Jul 7th 2009 3:05PM
@tmacjordan:
The original Xbox could output in HD and had games like Doom 3 with visuals the other two consoles would have a real hard time doing. Not only that, but the PS2 was the weakest of the 3 console of that gen. I think Xbox 1 like graphics is a pretty big jump, imo, as it had decent shader support as well.
Bradwart @ Jul 7th 2009 3:09PM
What happened to the old Nintendo that always released fairly advanced hardware. The SNES had more advanced graphics than the Genesis, (even though Genesis was better-sorry.) the N64 was a leap ahead of its competitors, and the Gamecube would have been the most powerful if the Microsoft dark horse hadn't changed the gaming industry. Now we have Wii, a hugely underpowered console that has serious deficiencies in power. Wii 2 will probably sell poorly, as the majority of Wii customers won't see the point in upgrading, unless it's a more hardcore Nintendo console.
Maybe another market failure will teach them a lesson.
yokel @ Jul 7th 2009 3:15PM
720p on such a tiny screen would be a HUGE waste, literally there would be no point in it. It would require most processing and graphics power and you probably wouldn't even be able to tell the difference if the screen had half of the resolution.
SoulBlade @ Jul 7th 2009 3:16PM
i have to agree w/. tmac on this one.. if it's equivalent to the original xbox, it's not a huge jump. I was hoping for something a bit more, like better than Wii, worse than 360.
Damian @ Jul 7th 2009 3:34PM
Power of original xbox, do i hear a Timesplitters Portable?
Extinction @ Jul 7th 2009 3:52PM
Nothing nintendo has ever done was actually evolutionary. Everything theyve ever done was copied off of something else, and in most cases de-evolutionary
WREturns @ Jul 7th 2009 4:03PM
I think extinction is meant to say Sony.
mr nimblewick @ Jul 7th 2009 4:09PM
"in most cases de-evolutionary"
Everyone gets an opinion, but yours is just stupid.
Mr Khan @ Jul 7th 2009 4:37PM
If there's one thing Nintendo's never ever done, it's give a shit about what the competition is up to. The PSP2 could look like a 360 and Nintendo's next console could just be Wii+, and Nintendo wouldn't give a damn.
Not saying graphics don't matter, but Nintendo's apathy in this regard is historically well-documented. That's what's led them to their greatest triumphs and their greatest blunders.
I imagine Nintendo's next console will be something in the neighborhood of a 360+ (similar CPU capabilities with twice the main RAM, say), but only because the tech will be down in cost by then
mr nimblewick @ Jul 7th 2009 2:41PM
I'd be disappointed after having a PSP that was as powerful as a Dreamcast to move to a PSP2 that's only as powerful as a XBOX. What other features are they going to add? I suppose a touchscreen, but there must be more. INTRIGUE!
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Jul 7th 2009 2:44PM
yea so any TRUE PSP2 news wont be out until at LEAST TGS 2010....but we all know its coming and will most likely have 2 version....one WITH UMD and One without.....but the starting price point will most certainly be around $250....