How much for the Xbox One?

The Xbox One is powered by the same kind of architecture powering the PlayStation 4, but apparently it has cost Microsoft a whole lot more money, writes GEOFFREY TIM.

Microsoft’s Xbox One is powered by a custom chip that’s based off existing AMD architecture. It sounds like it’ll be functionally quite similar to the tech powering the PlayStation 4, but has been retooled specifically for the Xbone’s multi-layered operating systems. And it’s apparently cost Microsoft a heck of a lot of money.

According to former AMD employee Bob Feldstein who’s now VP of Technology Licensing at Nvidia, Microsoft will be handing over a tonne of money to his rival chip purveyor.

‚”AMD provided a custom silicon solution to Microsoft for the Xbox One, a game console and entertainment device.‚” he said on LinkedIn. ‚”This required the coordination of multiple functional teams within AMD, as well as regular customer meetings with leadership teams responsible for handling the challenges of complex, multi-year deals. This project is valued at $3+B.‚”

$3 Billion sounds like a lot of money and it is but the deal likely covers R&D, personnel and the requisite parts over the console’s life-time. AMD has supplied Nintendo with the silicon that powers the Wii U, and will be delivering the PlayStation 4’s innards as well the Xbox One’s internals making it quite clear that the ‚”winner‚” of the next-gen race is most certainly AMD.

* Article courtesy of Lazygamer.net. Follow Geoffrey Tim on Twitter on @WobblyOnion