AMD could power Microsoft’s new-generation console

Sep 14, 2018 04:55 GMT  ·  By

Microsoft is believed to be working on two different next-generation consoles, and one of them could rely on cloud power to offer similar performance at lower prices.

According to a new report, AMD could be the company that Microsoft picked to be in charge of the hardware project for this new console, though for the time being, specifics are still sketchy.

Microsoft’s future console lineup is expected to include two different models, a high-end console that would rely on the same approach as the current Xbox One and a second version that would mix local hardware power with a cloud-based engine.

The latter configuration would technically require hardware only for certain tasks that don’t require so much processing power, whereas Microsoft’s cloud system would be in charge of all the heavy rendering.

AMD hardware

By mixing the two, Microsoft would essentially be able to offer a seamless gaming experience at a lower price, as the overall costs that customers would have to pay for the hardware would be substantially reduced.

The device may include AMD technology, judging from a recent interview of a company official for CNBC.

“We’re partnered with them in game consoles. I think we have a vision of where cloud computing is going and we’re working closely with them,” AMD CEO, Lisa Su, explained.

“I really think the interesting thing about semiconductors is we’re making decisions now that you won’t see the outcome for 3, 4, 5 years. I love the fact we’re trying to predict the future and hopefully we make some good decisions.”

Needless to say, the project is still in its early days right now, and anything could change by the time it gets the green light. Previous reports indicated that Microsoft’s next-generation console could be announced sometime around 2020, yet this depends on a series of factors, including how fast the development advances with hardware partners.