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| The PS6 is said to feature an RDNA 5-based GPU, an upgrade over the RDNA 4 chip pictured here. |
Buckle up, gamers—the rumor mill for the next generation of consoles is heating up again. We’ve known for a while that Sony is teaming up with AMD for the PlayStation 6, but fresh evidence has just surfaced that gives us a clearer picture of what’s going on under the hood.
According to recent findings, the PS6’s graphics processor might have just been outed by AMD’s own software. Here is everything we know about the potential "Orion" APU and its new GPU codename.
The Discovery: Digging Through the Drivers
Past whispers from the industry have suggested that the PS6 will run on a custom AMD APU codenamed "Orion," which is expected to feature a next-gen RDNA 5-based GPU. Now, it looks like the specific codename for that graphics unit may have been uncovered through the latest AMD drivers.
A user by the name of SixPie on the AnandTech forum made an interesting discovery while digging through the files of AMD’s latest Adrenalin 26.9.2 driver. They found a list of codenames that are believed to be associated with the upcoming PS6 and the heavily anticipated Steam Deck 2.
For those following the hardware scene, you’ll know that AMD is developing APUs for both the PS6 and the mysterious "Project Helix." The former is reportedly codenamed Orion, while the latter is known as Magnus. The new driver data seems to fill in the blanks on the graphical side of things.
Check out the original forum discussion here: AnandTech Forums
Decoding "ATLite3"
The list in question contains references to something called "ATLite3." According to credible leaker Kepler_L2, this could very well be the GPU inside the Orion chip. For context, Kepler_L2 points out that AMD used the codename "Navi10Lite" for the PS5’s GPU back in the day, so the naming convention fits perfectly.
Based on the name, "ATLite3" appears to be a toned-down version of the AT3 (Alpha Triton) GPU. Leaks suggest that the standard AT3 features 48 compute units (CUs) and 16-24 GB of LPDDR5X VRAM. This GPU is powerful enough to potentially power one of the next-generation RDNA 5 desktop graphics cards.
Now, you might be wondering about the use of LPDDR5X memory—that’s typically laptop memory. However, while it isn't standard for desktop-class GPUs, it isn't impossible either, especially as AMD looks to streamline efficiency and cost.
Performance and Speculation
If the "Lite" version follows the trend of the AT4 RDNA 5 GPU (which reportedly carries 24 CUs and 12-16 GB of LPDDR5X VRAM), we can start to estimate the power of the PS6. The ATLite3 GPU likely sits somewhere in the middle, potentially offering around 30 to 40 CUs—with 36 being a sweet spot.
This speculation aligns with previous claims from Kepler_L2, who mentioned that the PS6 will target 40 TFLOPS of raw compute power with its Orion APU. At the time of that leak, it was also stated that Orion had already been taped out, meaning the chip design is finalized and has been sent to the manufacturer for production.
What About the Steam Deck 2?
The leaks don't stop at Sony. The same driver list reportedly includes references to the "Gainsborough" APU. This is the chip that is widely rumored to power the Steam Deck 2, giving handheld PC gamers something to look forward to as well.
The Bottom Line
As exciting as this all sounds, it’s important to remember that we are still in the realm of speculation. For now, neither Sony nor AMD has shared any official updates on the PS6 other than confirming their ongoing collaboration.
If these leaks hold true, however, it looks like the next generation of console gaming will be a massive leap forward in graphical fidelity and performance. Keep your eyes peeled for more updates as developers get their hands on these dev kits.