Die shot reveals new PS5 design moves to a new 6nm 'Oberon Plus' chip

In a nutshell: Given that the PlayStation 5's start, Sony has attempted to mitigate its offer problems with slight revisions to shave off grams of bodyweight and output costs. A new die shot reveals the console has been given its initial die shrink, which ought to assist Sony cut down its strength intake and strengthen its financial gain margin.

An analysis of the die inside of the PS5's hottest revision from Angstronomics reveals that it makes use of TSMC's 6nm N6 EUV procedure, transitioning from the launch console's N7. The alter in the PS5 product CFI-1202 accompanies other alterations to the motherboard and cooling method.

The 6nm chip – codenamed Oberon Plus – has a 15 p.c more compact die than the first Oberon. Shifting from about 300 sq. mm to 260 sq. mm must let Sony to manufacture about 20 per cent additional chips at the identical price. The N6 chip also consumes a lot less energy than the N7, probably decreasing how a lot the console adds to power expenses.

Previous calendar year, the PS5's 1st revision (CFI-1100) experimented with to help save dollars by slimming down, which led to compromises in the cooling program, creating it to run a bit hotter than the launch product. Before this month, design CFI-1200 hit retail, and breakdowns confirmed that it reduce hundreds of grams off the launch console with a redesigned motherboard, a new heatsink, and a smaller cooler. The die shrink in 1202 must also lower ability consumption by about 10 p.c.

The current console technology has confronted unparalleled production problems, mainly stemming from the pandemic's outcomes on offer chains and customer need. The PS5 continues to be considerably demanding to order as it ways its 2nd birthday.

Final calendar year, Sony claimed the disc drive-equipped PS5 design had come to be worthwhile, but the digital-only version was nonetheless advertising at a reduction. Even so, Sony lifted the price for all styles final month in just about every location apart from North The us, probable owing to manufacturing cost increases, some thing Microsoft and Nintendo have so far avoided with their consoles. Hardware revisions like CFI-1202 may well help Sony maintain profitability and finally move discounts onto consumers.