Xbox Exec Shows Off Project Scorpio CPU

In anticipation of the console’s E3 reveal, a Microsoft executive has shown off the processor for its forthcoming Project Scorpio Xbox hardware upgrade. Mike Ybarra, Corporate Vice President for Xbox and Windows Gaming, posted a close-up photo of the CPU on Twitter:

This is 🦂. 💪🏼🎮😱💯 #Xbox pic.twitter.com/szrngMTKwi

— Mike Ybarra (@Qwik) May 31, 2017

What is Project Scorpio?

Project Scorpio is pitched as a high-end Xbox One iteration, capable of 4K gaming. The Scorpio, branded the “most powerful console ever,” will enhance the performance of existing Xbox One (and even Xbox 360) games.

https://twitter.com/JezCorden/status/859734507452116993

Project Scorpio Specifications

• 6TLFOPS
• 2.3GHz custom CPU
• 12GB GDDR5 memory
• 326GB/s memory bandwidth
• 1TB HDD storage
• Up to 4K resolution and 60fps
• High-Dynamic Range

Project Scorpio – Still an Xbox One

Project Scorpio, while boasting entirely new hardware compared to its predecessor, is still an Xbox One. As such, Scorpio will not have any exclusive games; any title for the console must also run on existing Xbox One versions. Xbox Chief Phil Spencer told The Guardian:

“Every game should get access to the full capabilities of the hardware, whether the game was written two years ago for Xbox One, 10 years ago for 360, or is yet to be shipped. You’re gonna see games that shipped on Xbox One that just natively run better on Scorpio, because you have the CPU and GPU power, and things like scalable resolution, which Halo used. You’re just gonna find that it’s running at a higher resolution a lot of the time, or all the time – and if the team does specific work for Scorpio obviously then there’s a ton of headroom to go do something great.”

Not Just for 4K Gaming

While 4K has become the console’s big selling point, 1080p gamers will still benefit from this hardware refresh. Spencer explained:

“I think Scorpio is for the console customer who wants the best version of the console games on their television, whether they have a 1080p or a 4K television,” he says. “We’ve got a higher frequency CPU than any other console, we’ve got a better GPU, we’ve got more RAM. I have a Scorpio at home, so I’ve moved it back and forth from a 1080p TV to a 4K TV – and if you’re running on a 1080p TV and you plug Scorpio in you’re gonna be able to tell. I can tell.”

Pricing and Availability

Project Scorpio’s anticipated release is Holiday Season 2017. For those outside North America, that’s between November (Thanksgiving) and December (Christmas). Pricing it to be announced.