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Updated Revolution Specs - Wii

Yes, we're a little behind the times, but hey - we got here in the end (some of the more astute readers would have noted that we actually did post this info earlier, but we had to take it down for reasons we can't discuss...). Regardless, IGN has spoken to developers about their dev kits for the Revolution, and taken some specs away from their discussions. Obviously, the studios wished to remain anonymous.

The developers emphasised that the Revolution runs on an extension of the 'Gekko' and 'Flipper' chips that were the centre of the GameCube's architecture. This is the main reason why studios that worked on their previous system will have few problems transitioning between generations.

The new CPU from IBM - dubbed 'Broadway' - has been clocked at 729MHz, compared with the Cube's 'Gekko' speed of 485MHz. The original Xbox's CPU was clocked at 733MHz, and the Xbox 360 runs three symmetrical cores at 3.2GHz. It must be mentioned that Microsoft's hardware is a completely different architecture - more like a PC. Furthermore, the GCN used PowerPC chips, while Microsoft enlisted Intel products.

ATI has stepped in to provide the 'Hollywood' GPU for the Revolution, which has been recorded at 243MHz. The GameCube's GPU ran at just 162MHz, while the original Xbox's did 233MHz. On a side note, IGN's sources said it was unlikely that the GPU would feature any additional shaders, as some rumours have suggested.

In terms of memory, the Revolution will use 24MBs of 'main' 1T-SRAM, as well as 64MBs of 'external' 1T-SRAM for a total of 88MBs (plus a 3MB texture buffer on the GPU). The Cube featured 40MBs of RAM (plus another 3MB in the GPU) and the Xbox classic had 64MBs total RAM. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 will have 512MBs apiece. Previously, IGN had reported that there would be an extra 14MBs of D-RAM, but they were unable to confirm or deny the suggestion.

Let me sum up:

• Anyone expecting specs to rival the PS3 and Xbox 360 was deluded, as Nintendo has repeatedly stated that graphics are not the focus of the system. Hell, you've seen the controller. I doubt that we would have ever heard the specs at all, had IGN not done its digging.
• Numbers are numbers. Only until you see actual footage running can we make true comparisons.
• No-one would dare deny that Resident Evil 4 for the Gamecube was ugly, and Revolution looks set to trump that system.
• Nintendo's hardware suits the controller, and its stance on the industry.
• The Revolution's going to be small, quiet, sleek and affordable.

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