PlayStation 4.5? Yes, it's apparently real

[Titan]

Rumors have circulated that Sony was working on a new version of the PS4 called PS4.5, or PS4K. It's rumored to be 4K capable and have more GPU power to developers. I wonder what this is going to mean for current PS4 owners. If they develop games that take advantage of higher GPU power, does that mean older PS4s can't play it?

http://www.gamesradar.com/ps45-confirmed-second-source-rumoured-be-4k-device/

PlayStation 4K. It's got a nice ring to it doesn't it? That's the name that Eurogamer is reporting to have heard from more sources that verify the existence of last week's PlayStation 4.5 reports. Apparently the new console already has prototypes in Sony's research and development department and Eurogamer has spoken to a number of sources confirming that it's a very real thing.

What the device can actually do however is a matter of discussion. Apparently more GPU power is being offered to developers but it's still nowhere near enough to provide 4K gaming at the same quality as the current 1080p offering. The graphical power necessary for native 4K gaming is just too much -  and let's face it, too expensive - to squeeze into a console box. Instead, Eurogamer suggests, this new PlayStation will be able to offer aspects of 4K gaming such as a wider colour offering and the ability to play ultra HD Media.

It's worth noting here that this new PlayStation, whatever form it takes, will have to find a way not to ostracise the previous generation's install base. In theory, a more powerful PlayStation could be likened to a gaming PC, something that can play all PlayStation 4 games but will allow a better graphical experience. As referenced by Eurogamer, this new graphical prowess will likely include more evolved versions of the AMD GPU and CPU technologies currently inside the PlayStation 4. We'll have to wait and see what Sony announce but it'll need to keep in mind the millions of PS4 gamers who definitely won't want to buy a new box for under the TV.

[Dmadman72]

If this down grades our games in any way or does anything that requires a new system it will not be good for them. As it is I am thinking of going back to xbox next gen. It seems that the company doing the best cares the least. Don't get me wrong, I love my PS4. I am just not prepared to shell out for another system mid life cycle just because. From the posts I have read around the net, I am not the only one that feels this way.   

[Titan]

If this down grades our games in any way or does anything that requires a new system it will not be good for them. As it is I am thinking of going back to xbox next gen. It seems that the company doing the best cares the least. Don't get me wrong, I love my PS4. I am just not prepared to shell out for another system mid life cycle just because. From the posts I have read around the net, I am not the only one that feels this way.   

The more I think about this, the more I think that PS4.5 is more about 4K playback. I can't see with the millions of consoles sold that they will be pushing for 2 versions of the games. The people that have the current PS4 will feel betrayed (I know I will) and will likely shift to Microsoft. But I guess we will see.

[Paul2]

yeah, hopefully its just a 4k playback.  by that i mean 4k uhd blu-ray movie or video playback.  or even better, don't make a new ps4.5 or ps4k at all.  just leave the way it is and continue to drop the price of the ps4 in a timely manner.

titan, that is a very good way to describe that the current ps4 owners will feel betrayed if ps4.5 does come out.

[Kurt Angle]

It would make more sense to at least offer it as a free firmware upgrade to existing users. That is unless the existing processors are not powerful enough to cope.

[Titan]

It would make more sense to at least offer it as a free firmware upgrade to existing users. That is unless the existing processors are not powerful enough to cope.

Based on some of the rumors I read, the hardware is beefed up so I don't think a firmware update will do it. Besides, even if they could, I doubt they will release a firmware update when they can squeeze an extra 400 bucks from us YAY CAPITALISM!!!!

[Kurt Angle]

Well some more info has come to light on the specs of this upgraded model which is codenamed "Neo".


Specs:

GPU
Old: AMD GCN, 18 CUs at 800 MHz
Neo: Improved AMD GCN, 36 CUs at 911 MHz

CPU
Old: 8 Jaguar Cores at 1.6 GHz
Neo: 8 Jaguar Cores at 2.1 GHz

RAM
Old: 8 GB GDDR5, 176 GB/s
Neo: 8 GB GDDR5, 218 GB/s

All still unconfirmed of course so we will have to wait on Sony's official word.

http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2016-04-19-report-specs-unearthed-for-ps4-5-codename-neo

[Titan]

That is concerning to me considering what the huge power differences are. If this is the case and they start developing games for the newer system and dumb them down for the older one, a lot of gamers are going to feel alienated. If that happens, Sony's credibility will be destroyed and that will give MS a serious edge.

[Paul2]

Here is a quote from a member of ign.com that said

GamerExpert
Apr 20 2016 3AM

For the future, it means less people will buy a new console on day 1 in fear of having to buy it again one or two years later for the real deal.


It also mean that some people will spent more money on the console instead of the a few new games.


Bad move for the consumer and bad move for the game creator.

very well said and i agree very much.

here is the link to that comment which will probably been push off by newer comments by the time you read this.
http://www.ign.com/wikis/playstation-4/PS4_vs_PlayStation_NEO_Comparison_Chart

[Titan]

I have to agree. That is pretty spot on the money.

I don't have a problem with it. Ps4 is already out dated. I don't want my cell phone to be more powerful than my ps4.

[Titan]

I don't have a problem with it. Ps4 is already out dated. I don't want my cell phone to be more powerful than my ps4.

  I can't believe technology is moving at such a fast pace again that we've come to this. The console is not even 3 years old and it's already "outdated". Remember when a console was considered outdated when the next generation hit store shelves?

From what I understand of everything I read from E3 concerning this, the graphics won't be better than the current PS4. All games must be able to run smoothly on the current PS4. What PS4.5 is for is to achieve a higher consistent frame rate and be able to upscale to 4k. Also with VR, some games MAY only be able to be developed for PS4.5 but VR is still required to work on PS4. So basically, unless you own a 4K TV, there shouldn't be much difference. In MS's camp, I don't know.

[Paul2]

i read that microsoft is releasing the xbox one slim by the end of this year called xbox one s.  its about 40% smaller than the original xbox one, support playback of 4k uhd blu-ray disc videos, and can output 4k x 60p via hdmi 2 connection.  while the game graphic remains the same, maybe a tiny bit slightly smoother frame rate.  All at a nice cost of $299.99 for the 500 GB version, $349.99 for the 1 TB version, and $399.99 for the 2 TB version if i remember correctly.  sounds nice.

[clips]

Hmmm...ok so the only real difference here is smoother frame rates and and 4k upgrade capability?..... ....i'm good...my current flatscreen produces some very solid visuals and you really can't go wrong with any tv set nowadays. 4k is not worth the upgrade for me.

My only concern...and this is a bit off-topic is that i thought that newest Tomb Raider was timed-exclusive...I hope MS didn't buy out that franchise...the first tomb raider reboot was pretty good and i was looking forward to the 2nd game.

[Paul2]

the 4k output and playback is for the 4k uhd blu-ray movies and video only i think.  while video games for xbox one s is still limit to 1080p.  But at a $299.99 for 4k uhd blu-ray discs playback, that is still much cheaper than the current stand-a-lone 4k uhd blu-ray players.  the cheapest stand-a-lone 4k uhd blu-ray players right now are $400 and you can get xbox one s for $100 less than that.

microsoft also announced another xbox one system on E3 that is a lot more powerful than the original xbox one or xbox one s for that matter.  its called xbox one "project scorpio" and it has 5 Teraflop of computing power compares to 1 Teraflop for the original xbox one i think.  expect the cost to be very expensive when its launch.  Rumor said it might come out late next year.

this xbox one "scorpio" is for the hardcore gamers i think.  new games being make on this console can be output in native 4k resolution and better graphic like texture, shading, and possibly framerate too.