GameCube technical specifications

Nintendo originally offered a digital video output on early GameCube models. However, it was determined that less than one percent of users utilized the feature. The company eventually removed the option starting with model number DOL-101 of May 2004.[1] The console's technical specifications are as follows.[2][3][4]

IBM PowerPC "Gekko" processor
IBM PowerPC "Gekko" processor (180 nm) shaven down to show the silicon die
ATi "Flipper" processor
ATi "Flipper" (180 nm) shaven down to show the silicon die
One of the two 1T-SRAM RAM modules shaven down to expose the die
GameCube Game Disc
Details Source(s)
CPU [5][6]
GPU [5][6][10]
System Memory [6][11][10]
Audio
  • Audio processor integrated into Flipper: custom 81 MHz Macronix 16-bit DSP
    • Sampling frequency: 48 kHz
    • 64 simultaneous channels, ADPCM encoding
    • Instruction memory: 8 KB RAM, 8 KB ROM
    • Data memory: 8 KB RAM, 4 KB ROM
  • External auxiliary RAM: 16 MB DRAM @ 81 MHz
    • Auxiliary RAM bus: 8-bit
    • Auxiliary RAM bus bandwidth: 81 MB/s[5]
    • CPU can read/write blocks from RAM to ARAM through DMA; ARAM can be used for miscellaneous low-bandwidth purposes[2]
  • Stereo output (may contain 5.1-channel surround via Dolby Pro Logic II)
[5][11]
Video Modes [5]
Connectivity [5][better source needed]
Storage
  • 8 cm optical GameCube Game Disc
    • Approx. 1.5 GB capacity
    • 16 Mbit/s–25 Mbit/s transfer rate operating in CAV mode
    • 128 ms average access time
  • Memory card
    • Capacities: 512 KB (59 blocks), 2 MB (251 blocks), 8 MB (1,019 blocks, incompatible with some games[12])
    • 8 KB sectors
[5][11][13]
Other
  • Power supply
    • DC 12 volts
    • 3.25 A
  • Dimensions: 4.3 in (110 mm) (H) × 5.9 in (150 mm) (W) × 6.3 in (160 mm) (D)
[11]
  1. ^ "Nintendo's GameCube Component FAQ page". Nintendo. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  2. ^ a b c "DCTP - Nintendo's Gamecube Technical Overview". Archived from the original on December 31, 2015. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  3. ^ "Console Specs". Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  4. ^ IGN Staff (November 4, 2000). "Gamecube Versus PlayStation 2". IGN. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Shimpi, Anand Lal (December 7, 2001). "Hardware Behind the Consoles - Part II: Nintendo's GameCube". AnandTech. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c "Game Consoles: A Look Ahead". Ace's Hardware. December 14, 2003. Archived from the original on February 8, 2004. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
  7. ^ a b c d Graphics Processor Specifications, IGN, 2001
  8. ^ IGN Staff (January 17, 2001). "GameCube 101: Graphics". IGN. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
  9. ^ "X-ing Things Out". IGN. January 9, 2001. Archived from the original on January 23, 2001. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  10. ^ a b GameCube clears path for game developers, EE Times, 5/16/2001
  11. ^ a b c d "GCN Technical Specifications". Nintendo. Archived from the original on May 2, 2008. Retrieved March 28, 2008.
  12. ^ "| Nintendo - Customer Service - Memory Card 1019 |".
  13. ^ "Nintendo GameCube Accessories". Nintendo. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved July 3, 2009. (dead)