Xbox Project Helix: Specs, Price & Release Date – New Details Emerge

Microsoft is forging ahead with plans for its next-generation Xbox, currently codenamed Project Helix, which is envisioned as a hybrid gaming console and PC. Recent reports detail potential hardware specifications and pricing for the upcoming device, signaling a significant shift in Microsoft’s gaming strategy. The company previously confirmed the new console will support both gaming platforms.

According to sources familiar with the project, Microsoft will once again partner with AMD for the hardware powering Project Helix. Whereas Sony’s PlayStation 6 is expected to utilize AMD’s Orion APU, the next Xbox generation is anticipated to be driven by the Magnus APU. Details regarding the APU’s capabilities have emerged from Moore’s Law Is Dead.

Quelle: Microsoft

The Magnus APU is expected to integrate Zen 6 (“Morpheus”), RDNA 5 (“GFX12XX”) architectures, and GDDR7 memory as a unified system for both the CPU and GPU. A Neural Processing Unit (NPU) will also be included as an integrated AI accelerator. The APU will reportedly feature three large processor cores alongside six compact Zen 6c (“Monarch”) cores.

Quelle: Moore’s Law Is Dead With 68 Compute Units (CUs), representing a 30 percent increase over the current Xbox Series X, and RDNA 5 shaders expected to be 65 percent more powerful than those in the previous generation Xbox, Project Helix is poised to deliver a substantial performance leap. The console’s power consumption is estimated to have a Thermal Design Power (TDP) of between 250 and 350 watts.

Quelle: Moore’s Law Is Dead

Similar to the Steam Machine, Project Helix is expected to function as a living room PC, combining the power of a gaming PC with a console-like Xbox graphical user interface (GUI) and user experience. Pricing for the new console is anticipated to exceed that of traditional gaming consoles, with estimates ranging from $900 to $1,200 before taxes. A reveal is expected sometime next year.