IBM, AMD Providing CPU, GPU for Nintendo Wii U

IBM will be providing the console's processor (SOI) while AMD will be throwing in a custom Radeon HD GPU.

Right after Nintendo finally revealed its not-so-secret Project Cafe – now formally known as Wii U – Tuesday during E3 2011, IBM stepped out of the shadows and said that the console will be using an all-new IBM Power-based multi-core CPU with embedded DRAM.

Like Nintendo, IBM was rather slim on the hardware specifics, but said that it plans to produce millions of chips for Nintendo featuring IBM Silicon on Insulator (SOI) technology at 45-nm. The custom-designed chips will be made at IBM's state-of-the-art 300-mm semiconductor development and manufacturing facility in East Fishkill, N.Y.

"IBM's embedded dynamic random access memory will help deliver a thrilling new game experience to Nintendo fans," the company said. "The new memory technology, a key element of the new Power microprocessor that IBM is building for the Nintendo Wii U console, can triple the amount of memory contained on a single chip, making for extreme game play."

AMD also stepped up and announced that it's supplying the graphics portion of the main Wii U console. Falling under Nintendo standard veil of secrecy, AMD didn't provide specific details and numbers, only revealing that it will be providing a custom AMD Radeon HD GPU that "reflects the best characteristics of AMD’s graphics technology solutions." AMD also previously provided the GPU for both the Nintendo Wii and Nintendo GameCube consoles.

"AMD shares Nintendo’s excitement for the new HD entertainment experience planned for the Wii U console," said David Wang, corporate vice president of Silicon Engineering, AMD. "We’re proud to provide our leading-edge HD multimedia graphics engine to power the new entertainment features of the console. Nintendo is a highly-valued customer and we look forward to the launch in 2012."

Other reports claim that the base console will sport a slot-loading optical drive for 12-cm optical discs, four USB 2.0 ports, an SD card slot, an unspecified internal storage capacity, and support for external hard drives connected via USB. Video output includes HDMI (finally) for 1080p HD video, component and S-video. And as with the original Wii, the Wii U will be backwards-compatible.

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2

alidan , June 10, 2011 11:39 AM

SpiffymDoes no one else realize that Nintendo isn't like MS or Sony, who have other divisions to make money from? Nintendo has not sold consoles at a loss because their only business is consoles (+games). They have yet to go ps3 style: sell the console cheap and bet on the games. If that plan fails, the lost a ton on the console and have no where to make up for that money. It won't fail, but you still don't play with fire when it can put you through bankruptcy. And for that same reason, I highly doubt it will sport a 5xxx GPU because those are expensive. They usually go a couple tech gens behind so they can build the console for much cheaper.

well a top end 4XXX single preforms about the same as a 5770 and they also cost within 10$ of each other, and thats retail price not whole sale.

its possible they go with that, considering i havent played a game yet i couldnt max at great frame rates on a 5770.
2

anonymous@guest , June 10, 2011 11:07 AM

Does no one else realize that Nintendo isn't like MS or Sony, who have other divisions to make money from? Nintendo has not sold consoles at a loss because their only business is consoles (+games). They have yet to go ps3 style: sell the console cheap and bet on the games. If that plan fails, the lost a ton on the console and have no where to make up for that money. It won't fail, but you still don't play with fire when it can put you through bankruptcy. And for that same reason, I highly doubt it will sport a 5xxx GPU because those are expensive. They usually go a couple tech gens behind so they can build the console for much cheaper.
1

iam2thecrowe , June 10, 2011 9:09 AM

warmon6Batteries of course. What else?

not just batteries, IBM batteries that have 3x the power in 1 battery . but on a serious note, why dont they make it play dvd's/blueray. thats one of the reasons i have a PS3. I actually rarely use my ps3 for games, just a cheap HD media centre. It also better have more than 512mb ram, im expecting 4gb, its so cheap, why not? Although IBM's supermemory will probably cost lots.

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IBM, AMD Providing CPU, GPU for Nintendo Wii U

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