ILoveShaders

I thought so too, but apparently they are sending mixed messages, I'm starting to fear that AMD won't follow-through with it and Mantle will be about as used as NVAPI.

I also have a second news item, the AMD response, don't consider the first news item as my contribution then, consider just the second. 1) Sony didn't say they are allowing Mantle, you are being premature. I think they should because finding information on developing for the PlayStation is hard for an indie dev, this will help a lot. 2) AMD said that Mantle is done so the PC has a console-like API, the PS4 already has a console-like API so there's no need for Mantle (same as XBox One). 3) If you are just starting now, you are definitely not the first!

Microsoft just released a blog post saying that the upcoming XBox One will not support either Mantle or OpenGL but will use a special version of Direct3D called Direct3D 11.X. This version will be a superset (will have extra funcionality) of Direct3D 11.2 and provide low level access as it will be designed for the XBox One hardware specifically. Furthermore Microsoft mentioned that in the future they will be bringing these improvements to Windows. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7420/microsoft-comments-on-state-of-direct3d-mantle-support-names-xbox-one-api-direct3d-11x TO this AMD responded by reiterating that the goal of Mantle is to bring console-like API performance to the PC and nothing more, Mantle has NO PLACE on the XBox One as the console already has a low level API. http://www.anandtech.com/show/7421/amd-expands-on-microsoft-blog-post Personally? I don't believe that Microsoft started improving the performance of Direct 3D because of Mantle, they have already been doing this in the last few years. Direct3D 11.2 calls are more efficient than Direct3D 9.0c calls used to be. The problem with Direct3D (and OpenGL for that matter) is that it's an extra layer of communication between the application and the hardware. When you want to tell the the graphics card to draw something you actually tell DIrect3D (or opengl) to do it for you. This is necesarry because otherwise you would have to write a different version of your code for each graphics card architecture or handle the intermediary layer yourself, that's a lot of extra cost and overhead for the game developers that just shouldn't be there, so we take a performance hit at runtime. This worsens as the architectures become more different form one another. In the past few interations (starting from 10) Microsoft has made the DirectX standard more strict, so the GPU architectures have to be closer in specifications, I personally think that they are reaching a point where the standard is strict enough that they can trim a lot of fat of DirectX and could probably see Mantle-like performance (hopefully) by DirectX 12 or whatever iteration we will see on Windows 9. NOTE: I has been brought to my attention that my first news item was already posted BUT my second one was not. The second one is out of context without the first so I will currently leave it as is. Here is a link to the original thread for the first news item in my post: https://linustechtips.com/main/topic/65675-microsoft-confirms-amd-mantle-not-compatible-with-xbox-one/ Again, the news item I am reporting on is the second one.

You should mention in your intro section that although these are free alternatives they are not replacements, you will not have all the options that the paid applications have. For example GIMP is in no way, form or shape close to the feature set of Photoshop CS6 (or even worse CC). But will be enough if you don't use all those extra settings. Maybe you can add development tools? Visual Studio Express is free, and considering the price of VS people should really look into it (windows only). Eclipse is open-source (works both on linux, mac and windows). Code::Blocks again open-source (works both on linux, mac and windows). Most developers probably already know these, but this thread is very useful for those who are just starting out.

"Sees the price of the 64GB model" - Yeah... I'll buy an ultrabook

For me it has to be the Shadow Of The Colossus soundtrack.

The upgrading part can be a disadvantage as modular systems need more maintenance. I didn't say I see that as a disadvantage, but I know people who do. The monthly fee is the interesting one. On the one hand you have to use money over the year ($50/year on the PS4) but on the other you do get 2 games/month. That's 24 games/year (or $2.08(3) per game) that you receive. I'm not saying you will like all of them, just something you get. I'm not saying PS4 is better than PC, I'm just saying it's a good 'value system' for people that don't want to bother with any complications, and you shouldn't just force your ideals onto others. Personally? The only reason I see for consoles is exclusives. Every title that's going to be on the PC I'm going to get on PC. I'm going to buy a consoles when it reaches 10 exclusives I'm interested in. But that doesn't mean that's the best for everyone.

The GPU on the PS4 is between a 7850 and a 7870 so a 7790 doesn't even come close. Not to mention that the PS4 has a better memory architecture. So no, a system with a 7790 doesn't 'destroy' the PS4, it lags behind by a good margin. Steam sales are good in theory, but how many games did you just buy and not play? When I'm interested in a game I buy it at launch, because I want to play it ASAP, so steam sales aren't much of a factor. And yes you can do so much more on a PC, but what if the person only needs email at home? You can just check that on your phone. Movies? Console, or chrome cast. And some people see the fact that you can upgrade as a disadvantage, because it takes time and effort. Console games just work on the system, it's not like you have to change settings or anything.

There's no reason to move the drive cage from where it is right now, and you would need to get a waterblock/pump/reservoir combo. You will basically loose spots for 2 of your SSD's and be left with only 2, but that is enough for me, maybe not for everyone.

I just realized... Competitive price with the iPad? Well the LTE enabled 32GB iPad is $729! Over $700 for a Windows RT tablet? I hope Asus creates something with the build quality of the nexus (they can do it), throw in a new 22nm Atom in it (that's enough performance for me on the road). Intel already said that the new Atom will be competitive in price with ARM solutions so it should't be much more expensive (you still have to factor in the Windows license).

Large projects? No. Windows RT apps... why not? They compile really fast on a PC, I won't mind waiting a little at each compile on a tablet, it's the price you pay for portability. Or maybe I won't even compile, just edit/review code. But I would still like source control and intellisense.

SoC ultrabook? The problem I see with that is... where would you fit the ram? The latest ultrabooks have 8GB of DDR3 ram, that takes up a lot of space, the soc would have to be HUGE! On the other hand, if they do it (maybe some lower end variants) it will allow for even more space for battery, and lower overall power usage. So maybe we would get 15 hours of battery life out of an ultrabook (this is conjecture).

That's probably fair, when you pay as much for the GPU as a whole console they will not be in the same league. On the other hand, I really want to know if it's possible to build a $400 complete PC with the same performance as a PS4. (remember that 400 has to include power supply, case, blu-ray, HDMI cable and input peripherals).

There is a limit, but it is so modular and gives you so many options that it should be enough, as long as you are not trying to create your own distro of it. No, the processors are performing better overclocked, it's just that when benchmarks calculated the result they didn't get the right answer.

They are not going to move the whole southbridge at once, the power draw and price of the CPU would skyrocket (motherboards will probably plummet). Granted, that's probably where they are headed. But you have to remember that Broadwell will be a tick, so it will have only small architectural changes.