We previously told you about the future AMD Magnus APU, the semi-custom chip that will equip the next Xbox. But it could also find its way into a new range of Xbox PCs produced by OEM partners, along the same lines as we’re seeing with the Rog Xbox Ally. According to several rumors, Microsoft is considering licensing the same APU for both living-room machines and pre-assembled PCs, which would simplify developer support and promote game optimization. Technically, the chip would adopt a chiplet design with separate CPU and GPU parts, not only to gain in performance, but also to enable a more iterative approach to hardware. In use, the idea is clear: a single technology base, a variety of formats, then a more coherent ecosystem between console and PC. Major drawbacks: more limited scalability and, no doubt, a Microsoft “tax” that will add to the overall price.
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While these rumors are becoming more and more pressing, they have by no means been officially confirmed. But they all point to Microsoft’s desire to increasingly unify PC and console. The near future should therefore see the arrival of a Next Gen XBOX console and Xbox-badged PCs with the same Magnus APU.
As we have seen, the technological advances made by AMD and TSMC would enable an APU using the chiplets. A paradigm shift from the monolithic APUs of previous generations, enabling faster hardware refresh. The aim is to reduce the quality/performance gap between PCs and consoles. On the other side of the fence, AMD would take advantage of the volume and shared optimizations to produce a powerful APU at a contained price.
We’ll say it again, but at the time of writing, the Xbox Magnus APU project remains a rumor, insistent but without official confirmation. However, it doesn’t come out of nowhere, and these echoes have been recurring for many years. It also reflects Microsoft’s desire to make the most of its acquisitions in gaming development studios. The project’s advantages include a unified Xbox ecosystem that could offer better long-term support, as well as a less chaotic PC experience. But all this would require a complete overhaul of the ergonomics of Windows 11, an essential OS but too versatile to excel in gaming.