While the next-generation PlayStation will likely use some great modern tech under the hood, during a discussion on the upcoming console’s capabilities, tech leaker KeplerL2 has noted that its GPU won’t entirely be based on AMD’s current-gen RDNA 5 architecture. As part of the same discussion, the subject of PS5’s GPU also came up, which the leaker noted ran on RDNA 1 architecture, with separate enhancements made to support raytracing.
What this ultimately means for game developers and gamers remains to be seen, since more current GPU architectures also tend to support modern features. As noted by NeoGaf user AdamsApple, the GPU architecture difference could be seen in 2024’s Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 across PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
The title made use of mesh shaders for its visuals, and since Microsoft’s console was more capable of handling the tech, the Xbox Series X was able to maintain steady and high frame rates more easily than the PS5. While RDNA 1 architecture could handle primitive shaders just as well as the more modern RDNA 5 can, when it comes to mesh shaders, the newer architecture has a clear advantage.
KeplerL2 also claimed earlier this month that the home console SKU of the PS6 will feature 30 GB of GDDR7 RAM. In comparison, the handheld version of the console will have 24 GB. The memory is slated to be capable of transfer speeds of up 32 GB/s, and will be split across several 3 GB modules. This will total up to 640 GB/S of memory bandwidth across all of the modules thanks to its 160-bit bus. It is worth noting that the next-gen console seems to have considerably higher RAM than the PS5 and PS5 Pro, which have 16 GB.
The leaker noted that the 24 GB of RAM in the handheld is required by Sony, and that 20 GB simply wouldn’t be enough. This is despite the additional $100 it adds to the bill of materials.
While Sony and Microsoft had reportedly been in talks with partners to launch their respective consoles in 2027, the recent state of the memory market has seemingly put a stop to these plans. A report from last month indicates that both companies are now looking at launching their next-generation consoles beyond 2027, presumably in the hopes of the memory shortages and the state of the market being more stable by then.
When it comes to its rumored handheld PS6, it looks like Sony has been using its new Power Saver support as a Trojan Horse for developers to implement support for the handheld’s lower power draw for future games. YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead quoted a developer who noted that the company wants games to be capable of running on only 8 threads. The company has also seemingly updated its software development kit (SDK) to better reflect these priorities.
As you wait for more details on the next-gen consoles to be revealed, take a look at what Sony and AMD have been cooking up together as part of their long-term partnership.
