You may think that Nintendo makes the GameCube but you would be wrong in doing so. The console, designed by Nintendo is actually the work five of the worlds leading high tech, high spec component manufacturers. What better for a slow news day?
ATI has developed the somewhat revolutionary graphics processor known as the Flipper Chip for the machine. This highly integrated processor includes a 2D and a 3D graphics engine, a DSP for making sound (this bit was made by Macronix), all system 1/0 functions including CPU, system memory, controller, optical disc, flash card, modem and video interfaces and is a complete on-chip high bandwidth frame buffer.
Electronics giant IBM designed and will manufacture the unique now 485 MHz Gekko microprocessor which is based on technologies developed during the production of IBM’s Power PC. The Gekko will be the first ever console chipset to make use of IBM’s 0.18 micron copper chip semiconductor technology. It also has a cool name.
Matsushita, better known to you and me as Panasonic, manufacture the unique DVD based technology proprietary disc drive and optical discs for the GameCube. The new discs will be specifically engineered to baffle potential software pirates and are a peculiar size. In addition, Nintendo says that Matsushita will “incorporate next gen technology in future electronic devices.” Whatever that means.
A company called MoSys will make the embedded 1T SRAM, the most advanced memory technology in the world. This technology will be used both in the GameCube’s graphics chip and in the system’s main memory. The idea is that the technology will make the Flipper and the Gekko work in perfect harmony and at high speed.
NEC will be manufacturing the ATI designed graphics chip and GameCube system memory components.
So there you have it. Nintendo and friends are about to deliver what is shaping up to be the best games machine of all time. We know, we want one too!
ATI has developed the somewhat revolutionary graphics processor known as the Flipper Chip for the machine. This highly integrated processor includes a 2D and a 3D graphics engine, a DSP for making sound (this bit was made by Macronix), all system 1/0 functions including CPU, system memory, controller, optical disc, flash card, modem and video interfaces and is a complete on-chip high bandwidth frame buffer.
Electronics giant IBM designed and will manufacture the unique now 485 MHz Gekko microprocessor which is based on technologies developed during the production of IBM’s Power PC. The Gekko will be the first ever console chipset to make use of IBM’s 0.18 micron copper chip semiconductor technology. It also has a cool name.
Matsushita, better known to you and me as Panasonic, manufacture the unique DVD based technology proprietary disc drive and optical discs for the GameCube. The new discs will be specifically engineered to baffle potential software pirates and are a peculiar size. In addition, Nintendo says that Matsushita will “incorporate next gen technology in future electronic devices.” Whatever that means.
A company called MoSys will make the embedded 1T SRAM, the most advanced memory technology in the world. This technology will be used both in the GameCube’s graphics chip and in the system’s main memory. The idea is that the technology will make the Flipper and the Gekko work in perfect harmony and at high speed.
NEC will be manufacturing the ATI designed graphics chip and GameCube system memory components.
So there you have it. Nintendo and friends are about to deliver what is shaping up to be the best games machine of all time. We know, we want one too!
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