SAVAGE
13 May 2005, 1:54 PM EDT
The heart of Microsoft's new system is the CPU, a triple core of 3.2 GB processors, each capable of running two threads simultaneously, meaning the CPU can generate six threads at once. This power enables, among other things, programmers to give an immense amount of commands to the Central Processing Unit without strain. It also provides programmers with the ability to invent new algorithms in the future, giving them a healthy flexibility in the way they code games. The CPU memory bandwidth is 5.4 gigabits or 5.4 GHz, 32 lines or 4 bytes, with 21.6 gigabytes per second on the frontside bus connecting the CPU and the GPU.
The GPU has the ability to generate 48 shader units using an advanced shader language. In the standard PC, you have both vertex shaders and pixel shaders, each working individually. In the Xbox 360, the Shader units can do either, meaning you can have scenes with only a little bit of geometry and a tremendous number of effects, such as a fightng game with only two characters on screen (like Dead Or Alive 4). Or you can deliver tons of geometry with fewers effects, such as a a 100-person action online game (such as Possession or Huxley). It has 512 MB of main memory with a 10MB framebuffer. And it's got 10MB embedded DRAM.
The full official spec list is as follows:
An IBM PowerPC based CPU with 3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each, packing the most-advanced artificial intelligence and physics processing available
A custom ATI Graphics processor and more than 512 MB of memory for high definition games and entertainment applications
All games optimized for 16:9 aspect ratio, HD Output (720p and 1080i); multichannel surround sound output
Detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive to download demos and trailers along with new game levels, maps, weapons, vehicles, skins, community-created content, and more; to rip music for playback and to listen to custom play lists in every game
A wireless controller with Microsoft-patented wireless technology; Xbox Guide Button on every controller, the launch pad that instantly connects gamers to their games, friends, and music and to power on or power off Xbox 360 without leaving the couch
Gamer Profile software that remembers what players have achieved in games
Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live, including: a built-in Ethernet port for connectivity; Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content; a Message Center to receive voice and video messages from friends; ability to talk to friends, even while watching movies or listening to music; and an Xbox Live Headset
3 USB 2.0 ports for Xbox Live Camera peripheral; to plug in wired game controllers that are also common for Windows PCs; to stream media from any portable media device, digital camera, and Windows XP PC
Progressive-scan DVD movie playback out of the box; DVD and CD music and photo playback out of the box; support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD
Windows Media Center Extender built in to access recorded TV (including high definition) and digital movies (including high definition), music, video and photos stored on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox 360
Support for up to four wireless game controllers and an optional Universal Media Remote with Windows® XP Media Center Edition Button for Media Center Edition functionality
Support for Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter via 802.11b, g and a
Interactive, full screen 3D visualizers
Two memory unit ports to save data on portable memory units, starting at 64 MB
Detachable Face so each console can be personalized
Parental Controls to restrict the games and movies that are played; Xbox Live controls to manage Friends List, voice and video communication, and Gamer Profile sharing
The GPU has the ability to generate 48 shader units using an advanced shader language. In the standard PC, you have both vertex shaders and pixel shaders, each working individually. In the Xbox 360, the Shader units can do either, meaning you can have scenes with only a little bit of geometry and a tremendous number of effects, such as a fightng game with only two characters on screen (like Dead Or Alive 4). Or you can deliver tons of geometry with fewers effects, such as a a 100-person action online game (such as Possession or Huxley). It has 512 MB of main memory with a 10MB framebuffer. And it's got 10MB embedded DRAM.
The full official spec list is as follows:
An IBM PowerPC based CPU with 3 symmetrical cores running at 3.2 GHz each, packing the most-advanced artificial intelligence and physics processing available
A custom ATI Graphics processor and more than 512 MB of memory for high definition games and entertainment applications
All games optimized for 16:9 aspect ratio, HD Output (720p and 1080i); multichannel surround sound output
Detachable and upgradeable 20GB hard drive to download demos and trailers along with new game levels, maps, weapons, vehicles, skins, community-created content, and more; to rip music for playback and to listen to custom play lists in every game
A wireless controller with Microsoft-patented wireless technology; Xbox Guide Button on every controller, the launch pad that instantly connects gamers to their games, friends, and music and to power on or power off Xbox 360 without leaving the couch
Gamer Profile software that remembers what players have achieved in games
Instant, out-of-the-box access to Xbox Live, including: a built-in Ethernet port for connectivity; Xbox Live Marketplace for downloadable content; a Message Center to receive voice and video messages from friends; ability to talk to friends, even while watching movies or listening to music; and an Xbox Live Headset
3 USB 2.0 ports for Xbox Live Camera peripheral; to plug in wired game controllers that are also common for Windows PCs; to stream media from any portable media device, digital camera, and Windows XP PC
Progressive-scan DVD movie playback out of the box; DVD and CD music and photo playback out of the box; support for DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, WMA CD, MP3 CD, JPEG Photo CD
Windows Media Center Extender built in to access recorded TV (including high definition) and digital movies (including high definition), music, video and photos stored on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005-based PCs through any Xbox 360
Support for up to four wireless game controllers and an optional Universal Media Remote with Windows® XP Media Center Edition Button for Media Center Edition functionality
Support for Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adapter via 802.11b, g and a
Interactive, full screen 3D visualizers
Two memory unit ports to save data on portable memory units, starting at 64 MB
Detachable Face so each console can be personalized
Parental Controls to restrict the games and movies that are played; Xbox Live controls to manage Friends List, voice and video communication, and Gamer Profile sharing