For some time now, there has been a debate over whether we will still play on consoles with classic hardware in the future or if the gaming future is already leaning towards a cloud-based solution with the PlayStation 5 and the next Xbox. A supposed leak might provide concrete information regarding the next generation of consoles from Sony. However, many readers are skeptical.
What business analysts, hardware experts, and passionate fans have been arguing about for a while could soon take concrete shape – at least according to the tech site SemiAccurate.
While SemiAccurate’s information has generally proven to be accurate in the past regarding PlayStation and Xbox hardware, the hardware specs of the PS5 should naturally be approached with caution, as these are currently unconfirmed rumors.
In their latest article, for which they demand $1000 to access, they reveal supposed details about the technical specifications and release of the PS5. Users on the community platform Resetera have accessed the article and published excerpts.
Alleged technical details of the PS5
According to SemiAccurate, Sony will rely on AMD hardware once again for the next PlayStation generation. Similar to the current generation, custom chips designed specifically for Sony will be used, which are optimally tailored to the needs of the console. The technical basis for the GPU will be the upcoming Navi graphics card architecture.
AMD has revealed very few details about the new Navi-based GPU chips so far. It is only known that they are likely to hit the market by the end of 2018 or 2019 with a “NextGen Memory” and will already be manufactured in 7 nm.
The CPU is expected to be an 8-core processor with Zen architecture. Since SemiAccurate expects a market launch as early as 2018, the Zen-2 architecture which is reportedly fully developed may also be used.
Furthermore, special VR functions are mentioned, which are to become an integral part of the console. This could mean that they are now implemented directly in the system-on-a-chip. More specific details about the VR functions have not been disclosed.
According to SemiAccurate, it is also said that the first dev kits have already been shipped to developers. This suggests a possible next-gen launch in 2018.
Readers are skeptical
Many readers are rather skeptical about the leaked information – especially on ResetEra, where the discussion originated. However, screenshots of the article have since been deleted.
The information turns out to be not particularly profound and can essentially be summarized to custom chips from AMD with Zen and Navi architecture and a VR focus. And hardly anyone believes in a market launch in 2018. There are many reasons against it. To give an example: AMD announced in its last quarterly report that while the design of the Zen-2 architecture has been finalized, the first samplings are not expected until the end of 2018.
While SemiAccurate has been correct in some of their predictions regarding console hardware, these were usually more logical conclusions than actual leaks. And they have also made mistakes: For example, the chip of the Xbox had a different name than they originally announced.
The mere fact that the article is hidden behind a paywall of $1,000, which is required for a professional-level annual membership before the article can even be read, raises smirks and shoulder shrugs from many people.
This makes the site seem untrustworthy to many readers, and it creates the impression that they only want to make as much money as possible with such a headline. Instead of discussing the leaked information, many people would rather make fun of the excessive pricing policy and the name of SemiAccurate.
Analyst Pachter speaks out, deems release in 2018 unrealistic
Analyst Michael Pachter, who regularly makes headlines in the gaming sector and has questioned the sales success of Destiny 2, does not think much of this rumor. In response to inquiries from Wccftech, he stated that the release of a PS5 in 2018 is extremely unlikely. In his assessment, it is 75% likely for 2020 and only 25% for 2019.
What do you think of this leak? Are these appropriate specs for the next generation of consoles?
