Ever since 2015, there have been reports that Sony could be working on an upgraded version of its PlayStation 4 console. This isn’t so much Sony slimming down the console, but rather it is Sony creating a slightly more powerful version which many have since referred to as the PS4.5. Now according to a report from Giant Bomb (via Kotaku), alleged details have since emerged.
Dubbed “NEO”, the report claims that the CPU on the upgraded PS4 will retain the same 8-core configuration, however instead of it being clocked at 1.6GHz, it will be clocked at a faster 2.1GHz. There will be an improved GPU in the form of an AMD GCN with 36 CUs at 911 MHz, versus the 18 CUs at 800 MHz on the current setup.
The RAM on the NEO appears to be significantly upgraded with speeds of 218 GB/s versus the 17 GB/s on the original PS4. Now here’s where it gets interesting: with such an obvious difference in specs, one has to wonder if the original PS4 will be replaced, and if developers might just end up developing games for the more powerful version of the console.
Turns out that might not be the case. Apparently Sony is making it a rule where developers need to create a “base” copy of the game playable on either console, it’s just that with the NEO, developers get to push the envelope in terms of what their game can do graphically, but at the very least gamers will still get to play the game.
It has also been said that developers cannot create NEO-only games, and that the NEO console will not replace the PS4 but rather it will exist alongside it. Take it with a grain of salt for now, but last we heard GameStop’s COO predicted that new consoles are imminent, so maybe we’ll learn more at E3 2016.