Xbox 2 set to go multiprocessor; hard drive may not be built

[nissmo300]

A senior source at Microsoft has revealed that its next-generation console is set to use multiple PowerPC processors in parallel - while the hard drive may not be shipped as standard, being supplied as an optional extra instead.

This information confirms reports received from developers over the past weeks, with the first solid facts about the Xbox 2 slipping out after Microsoft briefed a number of its key development partners on the current state of the system. Our sources indicate that the console will use "four or more" of the IBM PowerPC processors, an architecture which will force game developers to significantly rethink the way that games are programmed in order to take full advantage of it.

It seems likely now that all three next generation consoles will utilise multiple powerful processors - with Sony's PS3 expected to use up to eight of its new Cell microprocessors, the Xbox 2 now known to be a multi-processor architecture, and Nintendo's "N5" (about which, admittedly, little is known) also likely to follow down the multiple PowerPC route, as Nintendo also has a deal with IBM and will almost certainly end up using very similar chips to Microsoft.

The real surprise in this leaked information, however, is that rumours which circulated last week claiming that the Xbox 2 was not guaranteed to have a hard drive installed as standard are, in fact, completely true.

Full Story - http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?section_name=dev&aid=2897

[tgpo]

That's cool that they are thinking about using the IBM 970 chips. I wonder what it'll mean for Apple and the G5. Perhaps lower prices.

[thayne]

I think it's BS, the cost to put 3 or more high $ cpu's would be too much.