Project Scorpio to leverage Windows 10 Game Mode tech

Microsoft's new "beastly" high-end 4K-ready Project Scorpio console may leverage a new Windows 10 Game Mode feature that allocates system resources specifically for gaming.

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Earlier we reported on Windows 10's new Game Mode functionality, which essentially flips a switch to optimize key OS resources, CPU and GPU hardware for gaming experiences. Now Windows Central is reporting that Microsoft's Xbox ecosystem and it's new enthusiast-grade Project Scorpio will benefit from Game Mode as well.

This isn't really a surprise considering the Xbox One, Xbox One S and Project Scorpio are now running Windows 10 via a new custom OneCore OS, with the systems being tethered to Microsoft's Universal Windows Platform (UWP) ecosystem. This means that all UWP apps can be used across the full ecosystem, and the Xbox consoles are now compatible with specific UWP apps and programs.

Read Also: Project Scorpio renders games in native 4K

Project Scorpio confirmed specs:

• 6 TFLOPs of performance
• 320GB per second memory bandwith
• 8 CPU Cores

"Game Mode, it appears, is a feature that streamlines variations between Xbox consoles and PCs, making sure as many Windows 10 systems as possible can run games to the standards set by the Xbox One and Project Scorpio.

"Microsoft describes those "target" standards as 900p to 1080p resolution for Xbox One and 4K resolution with 60 frames per second for Project Scorpio, and we've received evidence to suggest that the Xbox One already utilizes "Game Mode" in games developed for the Universal Windows Platform," reads Windows Central's coverage.

Read Also: Project Scorpio to deliver new era of 4K console gaming

Microsoft has affirmed that Project Scorpio will render games at native 3840 x 2160 resolution, but developers can choose to optimize their games at 1080p 60FPS as well.

As far as specifications, we predict that Project Scorpio will use all-new CPU and GPU hardware in order to maintain this level of high-end performance. I personally think Project Scorpio will leverage both of AMD's new high-end Zen CPU (formally known as Ryzen) and enthusiast-grade Vega GPU hardware in an extremely customized, consolidated APU or SoC form factor.

AMD is currently experimenting with its Raven Ridge APUs that rock both Zen CPUs and Vega GPUs, and we could see a similar chip integrated into Project Scorpio.

AMD will also unveil its Vega architecture in a special presentation at CES 2017 in a few days, so keep an look out for our in-depth coverage from the event.

Read Also: Project Scorpio won't be $399, and here's why

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Project Scorpio will release in Holiday 2017, and we expect it'll cost around $599 given its premium high-end components.

Check below for a list of everything we know about the console so far:

Everything we know so far about Project Scorpio:

• Project Scorpio renders games in native 4K
• Project Scorpio to deliver new era of 4K console gaming
• Project Scorpio won't be $399, and here's why
• Project Scorpio devs can choose native 4K or 1080p 60FPS
• Xbox Scorpio confirmed, rocks 6TFLOPs, 4K gaming, VR, coming in 2017
• Project Scorpio's custom GPU could sit between Polaris and Vega
• Xbox Scorpio could be powered by 14 nm Polaris + Zen SoC for 4K gaming
• The next-gen Xbox Scorpio will be capable of 90FPS in VR
• Project Scorpio won't run all current Xbox One games at 1080p 60FPS
• Next-gen Xbox Scorpio to support native 4K gaming?
• New 4K Xbox to support Oculus Rift VR headset
• New Xbox will be '5 times more powerful' than PS4 Neo, rocks 10 TFLOPs
• Xbox and Windows are merging under Microsoft's Project Helix strategy
• Next-gen 4K-ready Xbox coming in 2017, could sport external GPU