By Dean Pullen: Tuesday 01 August 2006, 09:43

QuoteTHE NINTENDO WII has always appeared to be a souped-up Gamecube, and the latest alleged specs from a Wii developer seem to support this further.

Leaked specs via Max Console and further discussion from Spong give us a very good understanding of whats going to appear in our Wii. Below is a synopsis of the information given to the news sites by the various industry insiders.

CPU (Broadway)

    * Superscalar microprocessor with six execution units (floating-point unit, branching unit, system register unit, load/store unit, two integer units)
    * Operating speed of 729 MHz
    * Bus to main memory: 243 MHz, 64 bits (maximum bandwidth: 1.9 gigabytes/sec)
    * 32-kilobyte 8-way set-associative L1 data cache (can set up 16-kilobyte data scratch pad)
    * Onboard 256-kilobyte 2-way set-associative L2 integrated cache
    * Supports three L2 cache fetch modes: 32, 64, and 128-Byte
    * DMA unit (15-entry DMA request queue) used by 16-kilobyte data scratch pad
    * Write-gather buffer for writing graphics command lists to the graphics chip


GPU (Hollywood )

    * Operating speed of 243 MHz
    * 3 megabytes of embedded graphics memory
    * 24 megabytes of internal main memory
    * Internal main memory operates at 486 MHz
    * Maximum bandwidth between GPU and main memory: 3.9 gigabytes per second
    * The GPU of the Wii is identical to the GCs but it is on average 1.5X faster


Other details

    * 64megabytes of GDDR3 external main memory
    * Internal non-removable 512MB flash memory used as storage for game save data and downloadable content
    * The following interfaces are included with the Wii: SD card slot, Wireless controller, two USB 2.0 ports, wireless LAN, 4x GC controller ports, 2x GC memory card slots and an AV multi output jack (analogue only)
    * Two main disc types supported the single sided 12cm single sided 4.7gb and the double sided 8.51 GB. Nintendo GC discs also supported. The maximum read speed is the equivalent of a 6 speed DVD

Interesting stuff, but it only confirms what was originally known - the Wii is a vast under performer compared to the likes of the PS3 and Xbox 360. Nintendo are attempting to differentiate the Wii with its remote-control-esque controllers and unique games, and hoping its expected UK price tag of Ã,£149.99 will enamour games kiddies, young and old.

Thats pretty much what was leaked a while back, so there could be some truth to it.

Quote from: sdpThats pretty much what was leaked a while back, so there could be some truth to it.

Condisdering the specs they have got a lot out of it, zelda dont look half bad and some of the games are not millions of miles away from 360 and ps3 games so far.
I suppose it will show more with a little more devloper practise ont he 360 and ps3 as they learn the machines, then the wiii may be more visually lagging

I dont bother with the specs on consoles. If you want to stress about the numbers then play your games on a PC. The majority of the console market, particuarly the Wii market dont really give a damn if its outperformed "on paper". A lot of people will purchase the console (myself included) on the premise of more fun Nintendo games and the new control method. It isnt all about the graphics.

Quote from: Chris HalpinI dont bother with the specs on consoles. If you want to stress about the numbers then play your games on a PC. The majority of the console market, particuarly the Wii market dont really give a damn if its outperformed "on paper". A lot of people will purchase the console (myself included) on the premise of more fun Nintendo games and the new control method. It isnt all about the graphics.

No ones saying otherwise

Little concerned with the memory all around though, that is important, cpu partly but that and the memory needs to be good so you dont have silly load times and zone load.
Halo - Bar how sweet it looked and played and the cool features the thing i loved was the little sutter and then your there next MASIVE area.

I couldnt care less if its not much better than an Xbox.  My GC is vastly underpowered compared to my PC and my mates PS2s, but we always end up playing the cube.  Gameplay, not graphics

Witness the DS out selling the PSP. Its under powered comparitively but its cheaper and more fun.

My GC is the only console that doesnt live in the cupboard when not being played. And Nintendo have always worked like maniacs on load times, the Japanese market wont suffer for much else, that was the reason the N64 was cartridge when the PS1 went CD.

My GC, while underpowered next to the PS2 and X-box still loads the quickest of the lot.

Quote from: Porch MonkeyWitness the DS out selling the PSP. Its under powered comparitively but its cheaper and more fun.

My GC is the only console that doesnt live in the cupboard when not being played. And Nintendo have always worked like maniacs on load times, the Japanese market wont suffer for much else, that was the reason the N64 was cartridge when the PS1 went CD.

My GC, while underpowered next to the PS2 and X-box still loads the quickest of the lot.

Actually, it is quite well known that the DS is selling more because yeah its cheap but there is still really bugger all games for the psp, they been really slow dishing out decent games, hence the slump.
None of the cool PS2 game conversions that been planned since b4 launch have arrived yet, Tekken is only just about done ^^