# PlayStation 4 Pro APU

> main system-on-a-chip of the PlayStation 4 Pro, containing the CPU and GPU

**Wikidata**: [Q128431289](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q128431289)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/playstation-4-pro-apu

## Summary
The PlayStation 4 Pro APU is the main system-on-a-chip (SoC) for the PlayStation 4 Pro console, integrating both the central processing unit (CPU) and graphics processing unit (GPU) onto a single chip. It was designed by AMD and manufactured by TSMC to enable enhanced gaming performance, including support for 4K resolution.

## Key Facts
- The PlayStation 4 Pro APU is an instance of a system on a chip model, a CPU model, and a graphics processing unit model.
- It contains 8 processor cores.
- The APU was designed by AMD and manufactured by TSMC.
- Its GPU architecture is based on Graphics Core Next 4.
- It is used by the PlayStation 4 Pro (Q26906780).
- Aliases include PlayStation 4 system-on-a-chip, PlayStation 4 Pro SoC, PS4 Pro SoC, PS4 Pro APU, and Neo.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the PlayStation 4 Pro APU?
A: The PlayStation 4 Pro APU is the central system-on-a-chip (SoC) for the PlayStation 4 Pro console, integrating both the CPU and GPU onto a single chip to deliver enhanced gaming performance.

### Q: Who designed and manufactured the PlayStation 4 Pro APU?
A: The PlayStation 4 Pro APU was designed by AMD and manufactured by TSMC.

### Q: What CPU and GPU architecture does the PlayStation 4 Pro APU use?
A: The PlayStation 4 Pro APU integrates an 8-core CPU and a GPU based on the Graphics Core Next 4 architecture.

### Q: What is the significance of the PlayStation 4 Pro APU?
A: It enabled Sony to introduce a mid-generation console upgrade (the PS4 Pro) capable of rendering games at higher resolutions like 4K and improving performance, extending the PlayStation 4's lifecycle.

## Why It Matters
The PlayStation 4 Pro APU was a critical component in Sony's strategy to extend the PlayStation 4 generation's lifespan and address market demand for higher fidelity gaming. By integrating a more powerful CPU and GPU (based on AMD's GCN 4 architecture) onto a single chip, it enabled the PS4 Pro to deliver significantly improved graphical performance, including support for 4K resolution output and enhanced graphical effects. This mid-generation refresh model, a relatively new approach at the time, allowed Sony to cater to enthusiasts seeking better performance without requiring a full successor console launch. The APU's design exemplified the trend of increasingly powerful and integrated SoCs in gaming consoles, pushing the boundaries of what was possible within the existing PS4 ecosystem.

## Notable For
- Being the custom-designed SoC for Sony's first mid-generation console upgrade, the PlayStation 4 Pro.
- Enabling 4K gaming capabilities on the PlayStation 4 platform through its integrated GPU based on AMD's GCN 4 architecture.
- Representing a significant performance leap over the original PlayStation 4's APU while maintaining software compatibility.
- Being a key example of a major console manufacturer (Sony) partnering with a chip designer (AMD) for a custom SoC solution.

## Body
### Architecture and Design
The PlayStation 4 Pro APU is a system-on-a-chip (SoC), meaning it integrates multiple key components onto a single piece of silicon. Crucially, it integrates both the central processing unit (CPU) and the graphics processing unit (GPU). It is an instance of the system on a chip model class, the CPU model class, and the graphics processing unit model class. It is also a subclass of both the central processing unit class and the graphics processing unit class.

### Specifications
- **Processor Cores:** The APU contains 8 processor cores.
- **GPU Architecture:** The GPU component is based on Graphics Core Next 4 (GCN 4).
- **Designer:** The APU was designed by AMD.
- **Manufacturer:** The APU was manufactured by TSMC.

### Usage and Context
- **Used By:** The PlayStation 4 Pro APU is used exclusively by the PlayStation 4 Pro console (Q26906780).
- **Aliases:** It is also known as the PlayStation 4 system-on-a-chip, PlayStation 4 Pro SoC, PS4 Pro SoC, PS4 Pro APU, and Neo.
- **Based On:** Its GPU architecture is explicitly based on Graphics Core Next 4, as cited by sources like TechPowerUp and Eurogamer Digital Foundry.
- **Described At:** Detailed technical specifications and analysis are available at URLs such as TechPowerUp and Eurogamer Digital Foundry.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.techpowerup.com/225653/sony-launches-amd-polaris-powered-playstation-4-pro)