Rumour: PlayStation 4 will carry muscular multi-core processor

by Stevie Smith - Dec 29 2009, 14:52

Despite having helped create a thoroughly impressive central processing technology (the Cell chip) for its PlayStation 3 videogames console, when it comes to the ongoing evolution of the PS3’s eventual successor, Sony is apparently looking for something a little different.

Moreover, a report posted by prominent gaming blog Kotaku (via Japanese publication PC Watch Impress) suggests Sony is presently considering alternatives to the existing Cell architecture and has already abandoned early consideration for Intel Corporation’s new and muscular Larrabee platform.

Citing information gleaned from unnamed industry insiders – and a sprinkling of speculation fairy dust – the report offers that Larrabee has been bumped because it doesn’t meet Sony’s performance needs, while a modified take on the Synergistic Processor Unit has been similarly pushed from the frame.

If rumour is to be believed, the Japanese consumer electronics giant is busy working on design architecture that would see the PlayStation 4 boasting significantly improved oomph thanks to a hefty multi-core CPU platform.

While the preceding nuggets of ‘news’ should, of course, be taken with a healthy pinch of salt, if Sony sticks to its initial 10-year support plan for the current PlayStation 3 – which was launched in late 2006 – it’s likely we may see the introduction and integration of a fresh home system in around 2013.

Current whispers do not focus on whether Sony is looking to again partner with technology giants Toshiba and IBM (which co-created the Cell) on the development of its multi-core platform.

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