Xbox Helix can match a PC costing several thousand dollars.

New leaks suggest that Xbox is preparing something significantly more powerful than the classic console. The project, codenamed Helix, is said to be a hybrid of a console and a PC, and according to insiders, its performance could rival gaming computers worth several thousand dollars. If these reports are confirmed, it could be one of the biggest generational leaps in the history of consoles.

Console closer to PC than ever before

According to leaks, the Xbox Helix is expected to utilise a very powerful AMD chip based on RDNA 5 architecture, with a large number of compute units and even 48 GB of GDDR7 memory. These specifications resemble high-end computers more than traditional consoles. Interestingly, Microsoft may forego full customisation of the chip and opt for a solution available to other manufacturers as well, which could open the door for similar devices in the market. Such a specification would signify an enormous leap in performance, especially in ray tracing and more advanced rendering techniques. In practice, Helix could offer an experience very similar to playing on a powerful PC, but in a simpler, console form.

Price and Competition with PS6

Higher performance, however, means a higher price. It is said that the device could cost around $1000 to $1200, which is significantly more than current consoles. On the other hand, if it really offered a level comparable to a PC priced at $2000–3000, it could be an attractive solution for many gamers. In the background, there's also the PlayStation 6, which according to leaks will be slightly weaker in terms of raw power, but still very efficient. The differences in approach may be pronounced, as Sony is set to adopt a more traditional architecture, while Microsoft aims for something closer to computers.

Xbox Helix may be an attempt to completely redefine consoles and bring them closer to the world of PC. Greater power and a higher price is a risky combination, but if Microsoft plays it well, it could create a whole new category of hardware for gamers.

source: techpowerup