Sony has quietly updated the chip in its PS5 console. It now offers an AMD Oberon Plus that notably promises lighter consumption.
At the end of the summer, Sony caused a stir by offering a new version of its playstation5 much lighter These new models CFI-1202A and CFI-1202B (depending on whether we are talking about the PS5 digital or not) weigh only 3.4 and 3.9 kg respectively compared to 3.9 and 4.5 kg for the 2020 versions of the consoles.
We only knew the weight shown in the instructions. Since then, people have been able to get their hands on these new versions of the PS5 and take them apart. Thus revealing the secrets of the machine, and specifically an AMD chip change.
AMD Oberon Plus on TSMC 6N
thanks to the website angstronomynow we know that the new version of the PS5 uses a SoC amd Oberon Plus with a new TSMC 6N manufacturing process. As a reminder, the previous console chip used the N7 manufacturing process, like Microsoft’s Xbox series.
With this new process, TSMC ensures an 18.8% higher transistor density. This makes it possible to build smaller chips, which consume less power and are easier to cool. Sony thus, he was able to downgrade his console’s cooling system, which explains its new lightness.
This also means that the console should consume less energy, good news in the face of a winter that promises to be delicate at this point.
Otherwise, the chip is identical to that of the first PS5 in terms of computing power. TSMC offers manufacturers to reuse the same chip design between their N7 and N6 processes. Don’t even think about changing PS5 to try to get better graphic settings, the games will be identical.
Sony bankers smile again
This reduction in chip size from 300 mm² to 260 mm² also has an impact on its manufacturing price. TSMC can thus slide 20% more chips for each wafer for the same price, and therefore very logically reduces the cost of manufacturing the main component of the PS5.
However, it is difficult to know at what price TSMC charges this process change. The company has recently distinguished itself by large price increases on its orders to meet record demand. According to Angstronomics, Sony should save around 12% on manufacturing costs on these new PS5 models thanks to the reduction of the cooling system in particular.
For Sony, there is also a final interest in using this process. As long as Microsoft does not change its side, the Japanese manufacturer ensures a better production rate than the complex chip of the xbox series x. Therefore, it can produce more PS5s and maintain a sales advantage over its competitor. In any case, these economies of scale should benefit Sony, which has recently increased the selling price of your PlayStation 5.
The PlayStation 5 has been available for almost two years, but stock is still highly uncertain at the time of writing. To make your life easier, find here all the offers currently available…
read more
To follow us, we invite you to download our app for Android and iOS. You can read our articles, archives and watch our latest YouTube videos.