“Series X 6nm!
We found it!”
Going back to the Austin Evans video, the nature of the Series X revision is fully revealed.
By moving from 7nm to 6nm, the chip itself is smaller.
Evans is seen measuring the processor but doesn’t offer a die-size.
This would suggest a 6nm die-size of around 313mm2.
Truth is, package size and die size can be slightly different, perhaps explaining the discrepancy in measurements.
Thanks to this, Microsoft follows Sony in also reducing the quality of the cooling assembly.
Sony took the opportunity to build a new form-factor around its efficiency improvements, but Microsoft has not.
We just don’t know.
Both consoles went through three visible form-factor revisions, but the chips were improved even more frequently than that.
PS4 and Xbox One?
There was only one process reduction across the entire generation.
Microsoft clearly ‘did the maths’ and realised that a mid-gen enhanced console was not a good idea.
All of which asks serious questions of next-gen,a topic I’ve covered before.
We’re at the stage of hardware development that I call ‘only dogs can hear the difference’.
We’re fighting over teraflops and that’s no place to be.
We need to compete on content.
Jacking up the specs of the box, I think weve reached the ceiling."
