I did not post this back when the specs of the Wii U were leaked because it was still tagged as rumor at the time, but since then it has been confirmed by a known developer/programmer with SDK access that the spec sheet from the Wii U development kit was actually copied and pasted and leaked to the Internet 1 day before E3 and is in fact the truth from Nintendo. Keep in mind that these specs are based on earlier dev kits from late last year and are still missing some information from Nintendo (like the CPU clock frequencies and probably some unique features of the GPU) but are no longer speculation or rumor. The most recent dev kit for the Wii U is undoubtedly even more powerful than these specs show.
Main Application Processor
PowerPC architecture.
Three cores (fully coherent).
3MB aggregate L2 Cache size.
core 0: 512 KB
core 1: 2048 KB
core 2: 512 KB
Write gatherer per core.
Locked (L1d) cache DMA per core.
Main Memory
Up to 3GB of main memory (CAT-DEVs only). Note: retail machine will have half devkit memory
Please note that the quantity of memory available from the Cafe SDK and Operating System may vary.
Graphics and Video
Modern unified shader architecture.
32MB high-bandwidth eDRAM, supports 720p 4x MSAA or 1080p rendering in a single pass.
HDMI and component video outputs.
Features
Unified shader architecture executes vertex, geometry, and pixel shaders
Multi-sample anti-aliasing (2, 4, or 8 samples per pixel)
Read from multi-sample surfaces in the shader
128-bit floating point HDR texture filtering
High resolution texture support (up to 8192 x 8192)
Indexed cube map arrays
8 render targets
Independent blend modes per render target
Pixel coverage sample masking
Hierarchical Z/stencil buffer
Early Z test and Fast Z Clear
Lossless Z & stencil compression
2x/4x/8x/16x high quality adaptive anisotropic filtering modes
sRGB filtering (gamma/degamma)
Tessellation unit
Stream out support
Compute shader support
GX2 is a 3D graphics API for the Nintendo Wii U system (also known as Cafe). The API is designed to be as efficient as GX(1) from the Nintendo GameCube and Wii systems. Current features are modeled after OpenGL and the AMD r7xx series of graphics processors. Wii U’s graphics processor is referred to as GPU7.
Sound and Audio
Dedicated 120MHz audio DSP.
Support for 6 channel discrete uncompressed audio (via HDMI).
2 channel audio for the Cafe DRC controller.
Monaural audio for the Cafe Remote controller.
Networking
802.11 b/g/n Wifi.
Peripherals
2 x USB 2.0 host controllers x 2 ports each.
SDCard Slot.
Built-in Storage
512MB SLC NAND for System.
8GB MLC NAND for Applications.
Host PC Bridge
Dedicated Cafe-to-host PC bridge hardware.
Allows File System emulation by host PC.
Provides interface for debugger and logging to host PC.
So what do all these numbers and words mean? The part that stands out to me is "Compute Shader Support" and "Tessellation Unit" with both of those features being very prominent in DirectX 11 graphics cards. Tessellation was possible on Xbox 360/PS3 (at a high cost on performance) but has been much improved and more efficient with DirectX 11. These features alone would put the Wii U's custom "GPU7" processor far ahead of what was possible on Xbox 360 and PS3. Compute Shading is what most likely will be used by the GPU's in the PS4 and the next Xbox to take the strain off the CPU but not hampering the performance of the GPU (I realize that this can be referred to a GPGPU, but since all modern PC GPUs have this functionality it's not really necessary to call it that).
Here is a good explanation of the benefits that Compute Shading brings:
Compute Shaders are programs that are executed on the
graphics processor. With DirectX 11 and DirectCompute, developers are able to
use the massive parallel processing power of modern GPUs to accelerate a much
wider range of applications that were previously only executable on CPUs.
Compute Shaders can be used to enable new graphical techniques to enhance image
quality (such as order independent transparency, ray tracing, and advanced
post-processing effects), or to accelerate a wide variety of non-graphics
applications (such as video transcoding, video upscaling, game physics
simulation, and artificial intelligence). In games, Compute Shader support
effectively enables more scene details and realism:
- Optimized post-processing effects – apply advanced lighting techniques to enhance the mood in a scene
- High quality shadow filtering – no more hard edges on a shadow, see shadows the way you would in real life
- Depth of field – use the power of the GPU to have more realistic transitions of focal points – imagine looking through a gun sight or a camera lens
- High Definition Ambient occlusion – incredibly realistic lighting and shadow combinations
When you start to put all this information together, it becomes easy to understand why ports of 360/PS3 games will not really benefit much in the graphics department on the Wii U without developers totally rewriting their code. Compute Shading & Tessellation for example is something that you will not be seeing in most or any 360/PS3 ports to Wii U, and not only that but the developers making those ports on Wii U would use the same rules as 360/PS3 by making the CPU do the work that could have be done by the Wii U's GPU and it's newer technology. This will be the Wii U's version of a "lazy port" with it's extra features not even being used.
The good news is that the GPU in the Wii U should be able to accomplish all the effects of the PS4 and next Xbox, with those systems most likely being able to do "more of it" and at faster speeds. However, with the similar technology and features that all next-gen systems will have it's doubtful that the Wii U will get left behind in the graphics race since the difference will not be noticeable enough to warrant actually purchasing another console based on the sole reason of the Wii U not being able to run a certain game like what happened with the original Wii. It's encouraging that we (I say we, but I mean the industry since you could argue that the Wii had the best games this gen) will finally get back to comparing who has the best games and not the best graphics in this coming generation.
23 comments:
Really happy to see the information finally come out and it looks like it really is more powerful than the current generation on just RAM alone. I'm currently looking through the features and I do like what I see.
All I can say is this: Third parties will not dismiss this system because it is weak. It'll be due to insect politics.
Well its like 6 times the main RAM as ps3,the CPU is fully coherent basically fully independent like PC,DX11,Compute shading,32MB Edram,well everything reads 3 to 6 times as powerful as 360/ps3 wow,day 1 for me,the watson tech will be the threads that they are not talking about which will be i think 12 threads on 3 cores.
I really Hope this is confirmed. I really want to know exactly how Powerful this console is. There are too many rumors and speculation out there about Specs and i just want to know 100% for sure this is the Official Specs and that the Latest Dev kits are more Stronger. Sorry for going on too much, i really want this system to be strong so i can enjoy Zelda and other third party titles like Final Fantasy Etc.. on just one console.
No need to hope, it will be powerful enough.
i thought they were real all along the weird catch to cpu just looked so nintendo
3mb cpu catch and a 32bm gpu catch buffer is way way way ahead of both x360 and ps3 and a dedicated sound processor LIKE A GAMES CONSOLE SHOULD HAVE i said all along it would have a DSP...
im still convinced theres a chance its a broadway cpu type design with a custom catch obviously 3 cores both gpu and cpu 45nm and likely a system on chip or near as dam it...
i think the gpu is based on ether a 4830 or a /50/70/90 core all gpu r7 in the AMD/ATI FAMILY
im guessing clock speed is around 800mhz 12 0r 16 pixel pipes also this is a massive leap over the ps3 gpu power and way easy to code for
Well its like 6 times the main RAM as ps3,the CPU is fully coherent basically fully independent like PC,DX11,Compute shading,32MB Edram,well everything reads 3 to 6 times as powerful as 360/ps3 wow,day 1 for me,the watson tech will be the threads that they are not talking about which will be i think 12 threads on 3 cores.
GIVE UP IN THIS THREADS NONSENSE THREADS PROVES NOTHING ALL HYPE
its likely 1 thread per core out of order execution and at least 5 execution units per core not 1 like the 1970s design xenon in x crap 60
3x broadway cores with 3mb catch at 45nm would be no more physical area than broadway in wii but about 15 x more powerful
that or a power6 to power 7 based chip
gpu upgrades heavy in the lighting area and a added ARM work cpu like starlet in wii MAYBE !!!!!
3 x core write gather per core there describing 3x broadway type cores witch have custom graphics write gather pipes/buffers and a locked level 1 catch
1.6ghz plus CPU 800mhz plus GPU im going with that until confirmed otherwise
Let you guys know that there will be 2GB RAM in the retail units. Kotaku's interview with a dev showed this. Also, there won't be 3 Broadway cores, lol.
Did you say you could argue that the Wii has the best games this generation?
"The good news is that the GPU in the Wii U should be able to accomplish all the effects of the PS4 and next Xbox, with those systems most likely being able to do "more of it" and at faster speeds. However, with the similar technology and features that all next-gen systems will have it's doubtful that the Wii U will get left behind in the graphics race since the difference will not be noticeable enough to warrant actually purchasing another console based on the sole reason of the Wii U not being able to run a certain game like what happened with the original Wii."
And you're basing this on what exactly? Do you have the final specs for the PS4 and 720? You're already saying, without even knowing the abilities of their systems that they are not worth purchasing over a Wii U and cannot offer anything over the Wii U worthy of a purchase though with even the conservative rumor estimates they will be around 8X as powerful as the Wii U and have actual Directx X 11 while Wii U is limited to 10?
Wow bro, wow.
FAIL! This reveals nothing about the gpu, which is the system!
fanboy blog, but be careful. just because a gpu has Dx11 features doesn't mean it could run using them in high end games. an nvidia 620gtx has DX11 but its a very weak card and might even struggle to run PS3 games.
an AMD 4850 is DX 10 and is years ahead of the 360 and ps3.
^^
So if your estimates are correct it should go like this.
Minimum estimates here!!
Wii u is 2-3x ps360
Ps4/Xbox720 is 8x wii u
Soo ps4/Xbox720 is 16-24x ps/360
This thing is horrible for next-gen all these fan boys in here need to learn about hardware because 3gigs of ram doesn't mean anything and that's not even good in this day in age.
What a bunch of drivel,it's simple the WiiU Ubisofts words has a HD6770 gpu which is a 1.34 terraflop/900mhz card,even if its underclocked at 750mhz this is a proper DX11 card so all this drivel really gets me mad,the Ubi employee was getting sick of fanboys saying it wasnt NextGen ie why he released the specs.
So WiiU will be graphically just as capable as 720/ps4 easy,look at crytek they ported sime DX11 features over to ps3/360 and they are DX9 consoles ? so i'm sure with WiiU being DX11 it could easily get DX12 features ported plus 2 gig of RAM is 8 times ps3/4 times 360 that alone would demolish ps3/360.
WiiU in most latest dev-kits is a little more powerful than these specs as well think Quad-core 3.0 ghz power pc with the best features of power7 in there now couple this with a HD6770 gpu and you have a beast of a console.
PS4/720 will need to do a lot to beat the WiiU in every aspect of these specs and i think no matter what there do they wont be bringing consoles that destroy WiiU in Raw Power unless they wait until 2015/2016 they have no chance ?
However, with the similar technology and features that all next-gen systems will have it's doubtful that the Wii U will get left behind in the graphics race since the difference will not be noticeable enough to warrant actually purchasing another console based on the sole reason of the Wii U not being able to run a certain game like what happened with the original Wii.
That has to be one of the most ignorant things I have read in 3 months.
First of all this person doesn't even know the "PS4" or "720's" specs and he's claiming the Wii U will have comparable graphics, and saying people won't be able to tell the difference becuase they're so similar, and the difference will be so small that it won't warrant purchasing a "PS4" or "720" becuase the Wii U will bring the same experience they can? This persons fanboyisim is amazing. Not only is he making statements based on information he doesn't have, he actually thinks that the next PS3 and 360 systems wont be able to bring any unique experiences over Wii U's, at release, nearly 8 year old hardware. He's also claiming that the Wii U will be able to run all the games the "PS4 and "720" can run and at the same graphics level undetectable by people.
The stupid, it burns.
@Rational
Are you joking? Next gen Sony and Microsoft will be 8x more powerful than the Wii U by conservative estimates? What fantasy world do live in where they're going to be able to make something THAT powerful and still sell it at a half decent price? Were you huffing bleach before you came on here?
I mean I don't know what websites you're going to, or imagining in your head, but the more conservative estimates for the Xbox 720 rumors have been placing them at about 20% more powerful than the Wii U, which is <2x as powerful, and a negligible difference at best.
I'm actually offended that your posting name is "Rational" because you are anything but.
you could also argue hitler would make a good president
Could it be a Radeon HD 4890? The GPU features are almost what the specs say word for word on the AMD site.
The new rumored 720 specs are pretty comparible to this
Explain how that is rediculous? Both next box and ps4 are coming out next year which means any gpu that they use won't b that much greater then the wii U's ( knowing they won't use a 2011/2012 because it's too expensive) my guess is ps4 will use something similar to the Radeon 7 series, obviously their own version, but the rumored 6770 in the wii u has small advantages over the 7 series too so yes the margin will probably similar to GameCube/Ps2/Xbox u can see a difference but it won't b big enough to matter
I dont know alot about processors but dont nowday games run better on four core or quad core processors?(Sorry for bad english)
Post a Comment