The chipset for a next generation Xbox console has been in production since last month, and will go into full production by the end of the year, according to technology news reports.
Tech site Fudzilla (http://www.fudzilla.com/processors/item/25619-oban-initial-product-run-is-real) states, "Recent speculation that the new main System on a Chip (SoC) for the Next Xbox began production is apparently accurate; the SoC did indeed start production in late December of 2011. Sources tell us that the code name for the chip is Oban, and it is being produced by both IBM and Global Foundries for Microsoft."
The report goes on to claim that, "the power behind the next Xbox will be a PowerPC CPU that is married to an ATI Southern Islands GPU, or modified 7000 series." It adds that the console is unlikely to ship at the end of 2012, with full production gearing in December of this year.
"This first run of these 32nm Oban chips will be destined for developer consoles, so any hope for a holiday console release in 2012 seems unrealistic, according to our sources, but an announcement perhaps before the end of the year might be possible. It would seem Microsoft's strategy of getting it in 2013 is all but assured. We do think that the chips will be in production by the end of the year for consoles destined to be sold in 2013, which seems to agree with what others are saying."
Additionally, tech site SemiAccurate (http://semiaccurate.com/2012/01/18/xbox-nextxbox-720-chips-in-production/) offers similar speculation on a production timeline, as well as analysis of the various rumors flying around.
Source: IGN.com (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/01/24/xbox-720-chipset-in-production)
You do know that IGN post was from way back in January? Things have changed a bit.
http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/06/xbox-720-could-be-delayed-by-manufacturing-trouble (http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/09/06/xbox-720-could-be-delayed-by-manufacturing-trouble)
Quote from: Brent on September 10, 2012 @ 10:14:11 PM
You do know that IGN post was from way back in January?
I do now :o .